Do I need to buy a subscription if I already have WORD and EXCEL on my new laptop?

Question

My new HP Laptop came with WORD and EXCEL already installed. Those are the only things I would use in 365. I see no reason to pay for a subscription if that's all I need. Will these pre-loaded programs remain active for me without buying a subscription?

Answer 1

Pre‑installed Word and Excel can be either:

1. A one‑time purchase (perpetual) license, such as Office Home & Student/Business/Professional, which does not require a Microsoft 365 subscription and stays active indefinitely on that device (no ongoing subscription, but no upgrade rights to future versions).
2. A Microsoft 365 trial or subscription‑based installation, which does require an active Microsoft 365 subscription to keep full editing functionality after the trial ends. When the trial or subscription expires, the apps go into reduced functionality mode (you can usually view/print but not fully edit or create documents) unless a qualifying subscription is purchased.

To know whether a subscription is required for the Word and Excel on the new HP laptop, check what product is actually licensed:

1. Open Word or Excel.
2. Go to File > Account.
3. Look under Product Information:
   • If it shows something like Microsoft 365 Family/Personal and a Subscribed status, that installation is tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription.
   • If it shows a product name like Office Home & Student 2021, Office Home & Business 2021, or similar, that is a one‑time purchase that does not require a Microsoft 365 subscription.

If it is a one‑time purchase (Office 2021 or similar), there is no need to buy a Microsoft 365 subscription just to keep using Word and Excel on that device.

If it is a Microsoft 365 trial, continued full use after the trial ends requires a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription (for example, Microsoft 365 Personal or Family). Otherwise, the apps will remain installed but with reduced functionality.

Note that Microsoft 365 subscriptions add benefits beyond the classic apps, such as 1 TB of OneDrive storage and always‑up‑to‑date features, but these are optional if only basic Word and Excel use is needed and a perpetual license is already included.

---

References:

• Office 2021 and Office LTSC for Windows and Mac FAQ
• What's the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription and free web apps
• What's the difference between a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and the free web apps?

Answer 2

If your version of Office is indicated as Microsoft Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024, then there is a problem with that Office licence, that type of Office licence is a volume licence version of Office used by large organizations, a new device should not come with that type of Office licence pre-installed, it is not a consumer licence version of Office.

Where did you purchase that laptop, was that from an online retailer or PC Shop?