3 Ways to Change Microsoft Office Product Key

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Easily change your Office activation without contacting support

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: December 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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Office 2016

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Office 2019, 2016 & 2013 with Command Prompt

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Warnings

Your product key is different based on what version of Office you have. If the activation code or product key you have triggers a renewal window every time you open an Office application, you might need to update it or change it. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how.

Easily Change Office Key

If you have a subscription to Office 365 or use Office 2024, 2021, and 2019, you don't need a product key since it's attached to your Microsoft account.
With Office 2016, go to File > Account > Switch License and enter the new license or product key.
If an Office app isn't opening or giving you an activation or product code error message, use Command Prompt to change the active product key.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Office 2016

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1
Open any Microsoft Office app and click File. You'll see the File tab in the upper right corner in any app.
2
Click Account. It's at the bottom of the menu.

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3
Click Switch License. You'll see this button on the right side of the window.
- If you don't see the "Switch License" button, install Office Updates.
4
Enter the product key. This will overwrite the current key.
5
Select Install this product instead. There may be new tutorials and prompts for you to follow to start using the new key.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Office 2019, 2016 & 2013 with Command Prompt

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1
Get your product key for the malfunctioning product. Use this method if an installation of Office 2019-2016 on Windows is not opening.
- You can either get a new key or go to https://account.microsoft.com/services, look for the Office app that isn't working, click View product key, and copy it.
2
Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search the Start menu for "Command Prompt," then right-click the app result and select Run as admin.
3
Enter the following code: cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus (64-bit Windows) and press Enter.
- You'll see a line starting with "Last 5 characters…" that you'll need to reference in the next step.
4
Enter the following code: cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /unpkey:XXXXX (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /unpkey:XXXXX (64-bit Windows). Replace the XXXXX with the last 5 digits of the previous key and press Enter.
- This removes that key from your activated product.
5
Enter the following code: cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /inpkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /inpkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (64-bit Windows). Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your activation or product key and press Enter.
6
Open the Microsoft app to activate it. Since you removed a key and added a new one, you'll need to walk through the registration process again.^{[1]
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Warnings

Do not delete anything other than what is needed. You should back up the registry beforehand.

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Some associations in the Registry, if removed, will crash other functioning programs or Windows itself.

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Avoid using third-party software to change the Product key. It might be malicious.

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