Transfer Microsoft Project to a New PC
Complete guide to migrating your Project license without losing activation
Can You Transfer Microsoft Project to Another Computer?
Yes, you can transfer Microsoft Project to a new PC, but the process depends on your license type. Retail licenses (purchased directly from Microsoft or authorized retailers) can be transferred to a new computer. OEM licenses (pre-installed or bundled with hardware) are typically tied to the original device and cannot be transferred.
This guide covers the complete process for transferring your Project license, including how to find your product key, deactivate on the old PC, and activate on your new computer.
Before You Begin
- Identify your license type (Retail, Volume, or OEM)
- Locate your 25-character product key
- Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials
- Back up any Project files (.mpp) from your old PC
- Check that your new PC meets system requirements
Understanding Your License Type
Retail License
TransferablePurchased separately from Microsoft Store or retailers
Can be transferred to a new PC after deactivating from the original
Volume License
TransferablePurchased through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs
Contact your IT administrator for proper transfer procedures
OEM License
Not TransferablePre-installed or bundled with your computer hardware
Tied to the original hardware and cannot be transferred
Microsoft 365 Subscription
TransferableProject as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription
Simply sign in on your new PC - no transfer needed
Step 1: Find Your Product Key
Before transferring, you need your 25-character product key. Here's how to find it:
Microsoft Account
- Go to account.microsoft.com/services
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
- Look for Project under 'Services & subscriptions'
- Click 'View product key' to reveal it
Email Receipt
- Search your email for 'Microsoft Project' or 'product key'
- Check purchase confirmations from Microsoft Store
- Look for digital delivery emails from authorized retailers
Physical Packaging
- Check the product card or box if you purchased a physical copy
- The key is usually on a sticker inside the packaging
- Keep this card safe for future reference
Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Type: cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus
- Look for the last 5 characters of your installed key
- Note: This only shows partial key for security
Step 2: Deactivate Project on Old PC
Before installing on your new PC, you should deactivate Project on your old computer:
Open Project on your old PC
Launch Microsoft Project and ensure it's fully loaded
Go to Account settings
Click File → Account to view your license information
Sign out of your Microsoft account
Click on your account name and select 'Sign out'
Uninstall Project completely
Go to Settings → Apps → Find Microsoft Project → Uninstall
Use Office Removal Tool (optional)
Download and run Microsoft's official removal tool for a clean uninstall
Uninstalling Project automatically deactivates the license on that device, freeing it for use on your new PC.
Step 3: Install Project on New PC
Now install Microsoft Project on your new computer:
From Microsoft Account (Recommended)
- Go to account.microsoft.com/services on your new PC
- Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Project license
- Find Microsoft Project in your services list
- Click 'Install' to download the installer
- Run the installer and follow the prompts
Using Product Key
- Go to setup.office.com
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
- Enter your 25-character product key
- Select your language and version (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Download and run the installer
From Original Media
- Insert your installation disc or USB
- Run setup.exe from the media
- Follow the installation wizard
- Enter your product key when prompted
- Complete the installation process
Step 4: Activate Project on New PC
After installation, activate your license:
Launch Microsoft Project
Open Project from your Start menu or desktop
Sign in when prompted
Enter your Microsoft account credentials
Enter product key if asked
Input your 25-character key: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Complete online activation
Project will verify your license with Microsoft servers
Verify activation status
Go to File → Account to confirm 'Product Activated'
Phone Activation (If Online Fails)
If online activation fails, use phone activation:
- Open Project and go to File → Account
- Click 'Activate by phone'
- Select your country/region
- Call the displayed toll-free number
- Enter the Installation ID when prompted
- Receive and enter the Confirmation ID
- Click 'Activate' to complete the process
Step 5: Transfer Your Project Files
Don't forget to migrate your project files to your new PC:
OneDrive (Recommended)
If your files are saved to OneDrive, they'll sync automatically when you sign in
External Drive
Copy .mpp files to a USB drive or external hard drive
Network Transfer
Use your home network to transfer files between computers
Cloud Storage
Upload to Dropbox, Google Drive, or other cloud services
Project files (.mpp) are fully compatible between Project 2019, 2021, and 2024.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"This product key has already been used"
Ensure Project is completely uninstalled from your old PC. Wait 24-48 hours for Microsoft servers to update, then try again.
"Maximum activations reached"
Contact Microsoft Support to reset your activation count. They can verify your license and clear previous activations.
"We couldn't verify your product key"
Check for typos in the product key. Ensure you're using the correct key format (25 characters, 5 groups of 5).
"This product requires activation"
Try signing out and back into your Microsoft account. If the issue persists, use phone activation.
Features limited or read-only mode
This indicates activation issues. Go to File → Account and complete the activation process.
Pro Tips for Smooth Transfer
- Always keep a backup of your product key in a secure location
- Link your license to a Microsoft account for easier future transfers
- Export any custom templates before uninstalling from the old PC
- Check that your new PC meets minimum system requirements first
- Consider using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant for troubleshooting
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