
Microsoft Office is a suite of office applications that can be purchased as a one-time purchase or a subscription. The one-time purchase option, Office 2021, includes classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while the subscription option, Microsoft 365, offers additional premium apps such as OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Both options can be installed on a single computer, but the subscription allows installation on multiple devices. When activating Office, a Microsoft account is required, and the product must be activated within 180 days of Windows OS activation. If you are using an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office, you will encounter limited functionality, with many commands unavailable and the inability to create or edit documents.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of devices | Microsoft 365 can be installed on multiple devices, whereas Office 2021 is installed on one device only. |
Upgrade options | Microsoft 365 has upgrade options, whereas Office 2021 does not. |
Cost | Microsoft 365 is a subscription service, whereas Office 2021 is a one-time purchase. |
Apps included | Microsoft 365 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. Office 2021 includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
Additional services | Microsoft 365 includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month, and Microsoft chat and phone support. Office 2021 does not include these services. |
Activation | Microsoft 365 requires activation through a Microsoft account. Office 2021 requires a product key for activation. |
What You'll Learn
- Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- You can install Microsoft 365 or Office on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, and Android phones
- To activate Microsoft Office, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account
- You need to activate Office within 180 days of activating Windows OS on your device
- If you have an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office, you will encounter alerts such as Product Deactivated and Unlicensed Product
Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Always having the most up-to-date modern productivity tools from Microsoft.
- Robust desktop apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as extra cloud storage and cloud-connected features that enable real-time collaboration on files.
- The latest features, fixes, and security updates, along with ongoing technical support at no extra cost.
- The ability to choose between paying for your subscription monthly or yearly.
- The Microsoft 365 Family plan, which lets you share your subscription with up to five additional people.
Now, let's address what happens when you have a professional Office installed and activate Home. When it comes to activating Office, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, before activating Office applications, you need to ensure that Windows OS is activated on your device. Additionally, you need to activate Office within 180 days from the activation of Windows OS. Moreover, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account, as the Office authority will be linked to it. This account is essential for managing your subscription and accessing certain benefits.
If you have a one-time purchase version of Office, such as Office Home & Business, and you want to upgrade to Microsoft 365, you can follow these steps:
- Open an Office program, such as Word.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account when prompted.
- Follow the remaining prompts to complete the upgrade process.
It's important to note that Office 2021 is sold as a one-time purchase, meaning you pay upfront for the Office apps on a single computer. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that offers the latest features, fixes, and upgrades at no extra cost.
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You can install Microsoft 365 or Office on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, and Android phones
Microsoft 365 and Office can be installed on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. This makes it a good option for a business or household. However, this is where things can get complicated, as you have to keep track of the various installations.
For home users, Microsoft 365 comes in two editions: Home and Personal. The Home edition can be shared with up to six people, while the Personal edition is limited to just one user. Each user of the Home edition will have their own individual Microsoft Account.
To install Microsoft 365 or Office on multiple devices, you can follow these steps:
- Go to the Office 365 subscription page for your Microsoft Account.
- Click the link to install Office and then click the Install button.
- Repeat these steps for each additional computer or device on which you want to run Office 365.
- Make sure you sign in to each installation of Office 365 to activate your subscription on that device.
- To check on your installations, return to your Office 365 subscription page, where you will see the number and names of the devices on which Office 365 is installed.
- If you no longer need Office 365 on a particular device, you can uninstall it by signing out of your account on the Office 365 subscription page and then uninstalling the program from the device.
If you have Microsoft 365 Family, you can share your subscription with up to five other people. To do this, go to the Office 365 subscription page and click the "Start Sharing" link in the "Share" section. You can then invite people via email or by sending an invitation link.
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To activate Microsoft Office, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account
Once you have installed Office, open one of the Office programs, such as Word. When you start an Office app for the first time, you will be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account to activate it. If you don't already have a Microsoft account, you can create one by selecting the appropriate option. It is important to remember the email address and password you use to create your account, as you will need them if you need to reinstall Office in the future.
After signing in, you will be asked to confirm whether you want to link your Office activation to your Microsoft account. You will also need to agree to the Microsoft Services Agreement. Once you have completed these steps, your Microsoft Office activation will be linked to your Microsoft account. This means that you can manage your subscription and reinstall Office without a product key.
It is worth noting that if you have multiple Microsoft accounts, you will need to choose the account you want to sign in with. Additionally, if you are activating Office on a different device or after a hardware change, you may encounter an error message stating that you have reached the maximum number of activations. In this case, you will need to activate Office by phone and then uninstall it from the original computer.
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You need to activate Office within 180 days of activating Windows OS on your device
When activating a one-time purchase version of Office Home & Business, such as Office 2021 or 2019, it is important to note that the Windows OS on your device must be activated first. Subsequently, you are required to activate Office within 180 days of activating Windows OS. This time limit serves as a crucial window for completing the activation process.
To initiate the activation of Office, open an Office program, such as Word. Upon launching an Office app for the first time, a notification will inform you of your Office access: "You've got Office." At this point, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the product. If you don't already have a Microsoft account, you can create one by selecting the appropriate option. Remembering your Microsoft account credentials is essential, as forgetting them may result in the inability to activate Office again.
After signing in, you will be prompted to confirm whether you want to link your Office activation to your Microsoft account. By selecting "Next," you can proceed to the next step. It is imperative to carefully read and agree to the Microsoft Services Agreement before continuing. Once you've agreed, click "Confirm."
At this stage, your Office product, such as Office 2021, has been successfully linked to your Microsoft account. You may need to update Office before proceeding further. To do this, simply click "Update Now." Once the updates are downloaded, select "Continue" to close the Office program and install the updates.
Finally, open an Office program again and navigate to the upper-left corner of the toolbar. Click on "File," then select "Account," and finally, click on "Activate Product." With these steps completed, you have successfully activated Office within the required 180-day timeframe after activating Windows OS on your device.
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If you have an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office, you will encounter alerts such as Product Deactivated and Unlicensed Product
If you have an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office, you will encounter alerts such as "Product Deactivated" and "Unlicensed Product". This means that your Office products have been disabled, and you will need to identify and fix the problem to reactivate them. Here are some steps to help resolve unlicensed product activation errors:
- Sign in to the right account: Ensure that you are signed in to your Microsoft account and that it is the correct account that the products were purchased on.
- Check for multiple copies of Microsoft Office: If you have more than one copy of Microsoft Office on your device, remove any extra copies. This is because having multiple installs can cause activation conflicts and prevent you from opening your Office apps.
- Check the current status of your Microsoft Office 365 subscription: If you have a subscription to Microsoft Office 365, confirm that it is still active. If it has expired, you will need to renew it.
- Troubleshoot activation: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, activate your troubleshooter for additional help. You can access the troubleshooting function on the Microsoft website by selecting Office 365, Office 2019, Office 2016, or Office 2013.
It is important to note that if you are using an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office, you may only be able to use it for a limited time, after which most features will be disabled. You may be able to open and view supported documents, but editing may not be allowed. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a licensed copy of Microsoft Office or explore alternative options such as Office Online or other free office software.
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Frequently asked questions
Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes premium apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. The apps can be installed on multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, and Android phones. Microsoft 365 also comes with services like 1 TB of OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month, and Microsoft chat and phone support. Office 2021 is a one-time purchase that comes with classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for PC or Mac, and does not include any of the services that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Microsoft 365 Family can be shared among 6 users and installed on multiple devices. Microsoft 365 Personal is for 1 user and can also be installed on multiple devices.
Yes, you can purchase Microsoft 365 subscriptions for both Mac and Windows. Office Home & Business 2021 or Office Home & Student 2021 are also available for Mac as a one-time purchase.
Yes, but certain Office versions can work side-by-side on the same device.
The actual download speed of Office depends on the speed of your Internet connection; a broadband Internet connection is recommended for the best download experience.