How to Transfer Office 2019 to a New PC
Transferring Microsoft Office 2019 to a new computer is straightforward when you follow the correct process. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step, from deactivating your license on the old PC to successfully activating Office on your new computer.
Important: Before You Begin
Office 2019 retail licenses can be transferred to a new PC. However, OEM licenses (pre-installed by manufacturer) and volume licenses typically cannot be transferred. Check your license type before proceeding.
Understanding Your Office 2019 License Type
Retail License (FPP)
Purchased separately from a store or online retailer
Yes - Can transfer to a new PC
OEM License
Pre-installed by computer manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc.)
No - Tied to original hardware
Volume License
Enterprise/organizational licenses
Contact IT department
Product Key Card (PKC)
Key card purchased with a new PC
Yes - Can transfer to a new PC
Step 1: Find Your Office 2019 Product Key
Before transferring, locate your product key. You'll need it to activate Office on your new PC.
Check Your Email
If purchased digitally, search your email for 'Microsoft Office' or 'product key'
Microsoft Account
Sign in to account.microsoft.com and check 'Services & subscriptions'
Original Packaging
Check the box or card that came with your Office purchase
Use a Key Finder Tool
Software like ProduKey or Belarc Advisor can retrieve installed keys
Step 2: Deactivate Office on Your Old PC
Retail licenses allow installation on one PC at a time. Deactivating removes the license from your old computer.
- Open any Office application (Word, Excel, etc.)
- Click File → Account
- Look for the product information section
- Note: There's no 'Deactivate' button - uninstalling handles this
Step 3: Uninstall Office from Your Old PC
Properly uninstalling Office helps ensure a clean transfer.
Using Windows Settings
- 1Press Windows + I to open Settings
- 2Go to Apps → Apps & features
- 3Search for 'Microsoft Office 2019'
- 4Click on it and select 'Uninstall'
- 5Follow the prompts to complete uninstallation
Using Control Panel
- 1Open Control Panel
- 2Select 'Programs and Features'
- 3Find 'Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019' (or your version)
- 4Right-click and select 'Uninstall'
- 5Wait for the process to complete
Using Microsoft Support Tool
- 1Download Microsoft's Office uninstall support tool
- 2Run the tool and follow on-screen instructions
- 3This completely removes all Office files and registry entries
- 4Restart your computer when prompted
Step 4: Download Office 2019 on Your New PC
Get the Office installer for your new computer.
From Microsoft Account
- 1Go to account.microsoft.com/services
- 2Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Office purchase
- 3Find Office 2019 and click 'Install'
- 4Choose your language and version (32-bit or 64-bit)
- 5Download and run the installer
Using Product Key
- 1Go to setup.office.com
- 2Sign in or create a Microsoft account
- 3Enter your 25-character product key
- 4Follow the prompts to download Office
- 5Run the installer
Step 5: Install Office 2019 on Your New PC
Run the installer and complete the setup process.
- 1Run the downloaded Office installer
- 2The installation will begin automatically
- 3Wait for the installation to complete (may take 10-20 minutes)
- 4Do not restart or shut down during installation
- 5Click 'Close' when installation finishes
Step 6: Activate Office 2019 on Your New PC
Activate your Office installation using your product key.
Automatic Activation
If you downloaded from your Microsoft account, Office may activate automatically when you sign in.
Manual Activation
- 1Open any Office application
- 2If prompted, enter your product key
- 3Sign in with your Microsoft account
- 4Click 'Activate' when prompted
- 5Office will verify your license online
Phone Activation
If online activation fails, use phone activation by clicking 'I want to activate by telephone' in the activation wizard.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Product key not accepted
- Double-check for typing errors (0 vs O, 1 vs I)
- Ensure you're using the correct key for Office 2019
- Verify the key hasn't been used on another device
- Contact Microsoft Support if the key is valid but not working
Activation limit reached
- Retail licenses allow 1 PC at a time
- Ensure Office is uninstalled from your old PC
- Wait 24-72 hours for servers to update
- Use phone activation as an alternative
- Contact Microsoft Support to reset activations
Installation fails
- Ensure your PC meets Office 2019 system requirements
- Disable antivirus temporarily during installation
- Run the installer as Administrator
- Use the Office uninstall tool to remove previous versions
- Check for Windows updates and install them
Office apps not opening
- Restart your computer
- Run Office repair from Settings → Apps
- Check for and install Office updates
- Reinstall Office if repair doesn't help
Pro Tips for a Smooth Transfer
Back Up Your Data
Export custom dictionaries, templates, and email signatures before uninstalling
Document Your Product Key
Store your product key in a secure password manager or safe location
Check System Requirements
Ensure your new PC meets Office 2019 requirements (Windows 10 or later)
Stable Internet Connection
Use a reliable internet connection for downloading and activating
Sign In with Same Account
Use the same Microsoft account for easier license transfer
Office 2019 System Requirements
| Operating System | Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019 |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core |
| RAM | 4 GB (64-bit), 2 GB (32-bit) |
| Hard Disk | 4 GB available disk space |
| Display | 1280 x 768 screen resolution |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 2.0 |
| Internet | Required for activation and updates |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Office 2019 to a Mac?
No, Office 2019 for Windows licenses cannot be transferred to Mac. You would need to purchase Office 2019 for Mac separately. However, if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, it works on both platforms.
How many times can I transfer my Office 2019 license?
Retail licenses can be transferred unlimited times, but only to one PC at a time. You must uninstall from the old PC before installing on a new one.
What if I lost my product key?
Check your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, search your email for the purchase confirmation, or use a key finder tool like ProduKey on the old PC before uninstalling.
Can I transfer Office 2019 if my old PC is broken?
Yes, if your old PC is no longer functional, you can still transfer Office 2019. Microsoft allows this - you may need to use phone activation or contact support if online activation fails.
Do I need to buy Office again for a new computer?
No, if you have a retail license, you can transfer it to your new computer at no additional cost. Simply follow the steps in this guide.
How long does the transfer process take?
The entire process typically takes 30-60 minutes, including download time. The actual installation takes about 10-20 minutes depending on your internet speed and computer performance.
Will I lose my documents when transferring Office?
No, your documents are separate from Office. However, you should back up your files and transfer them to your new PC separately. Custom templates and dictionaries should also be backed up.
Can I have Office 2019 on two computers?
Retail licenses allow Office 2019 on only one PC at a time. For multiple devices, consider Microsoft 365 Personal (up to 5 devices) or Microsoft 365 Family (up to 6 users, 5 devices each).
What's the difference between transferring and reinstalling?
Transferring means moving your license to a different PC. Reinstalling means installing Office again on the same PC (e.g., after Windows reset). Both processes are similar but transferring requires uninstalling from the old PC first.
Does Microsoft verify the uninstallation?
Microsoft's activation servers track installations. When you activate on a new PC, the old activation is typically invalidated. If issues occur, phone activation or Microsoft Support can help reset your license.
Transferring Office 2019 to a new PC is a straightforward process when you have a retail license. By following these steps carefully—finding your product key, uninstalling from the old PC, downloading, installing, and activating on the new PC—you can continue using Office without purchasing a new license. If you encounter any issues during the transfer, Microsoft Support is available to help resolve activation problems.
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