want to transfer Office 2016 software to a new MS11 computer but do not find the software to download on my account page, Where do I get it?

Question

I have office 2016 on a computer running MS10. I have a new computer that runs MS11 and want to move the Office 2016 software to it. The instruction to do so states to uninstall the software from the old computer and then sign in to my Microsoft account and install the software from there. Before doing any of this I signed in to my account to verify the software was there to download and it was not. Need help before proceeding as I don't want to loose it

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[Tag moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | Other]

Answer 1

Good day Thomas!

From what you described, it sounds like you want to move your Office 2016 installation from your old Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer, but when you signed in to your Microsoft account to check whether Office was available to download, it did not appear there. You’re right to be cautious before uninstalling Office from the old computer.

Whether Office 2016 can be moved to the new device depends on how the license was originally purchased and activated. If it was a retail Office 2016 license, it may be transferable under the license terms. However, if it came preinstalled with the old computer, it may be an OEM license tied to that device and may not be transferable. It is also important to confirm whether the license is linked to the correct Microsoft account or whether you still have the original product key.

To better understand your situation, could you please confirm:

1. Was Office 2016 purchased as a retail one-time license or did it come preinstalled with the old computer?
2. If it was a retail copy, do you still have the 25-character product key, purchase receipt, card, disc, or order confirmation email?
3. On the old computer, open Word or Excel, then go to File > Account. Under User Information or the account area, is the signed-in Microsoft account the same one you are using to install Office on the new computer?

I look forward to your reply so we can determine the next step. I’ll be glad to look into it further!