Microsoft 365 included with this device

Search for Word from the Windows Start menu and open it; the first-run screen will show whether the laptop includes an Office license, only a trial, or requires installation.

1. Find and open the installed apps

1. Select Start.
2. Type Word or Excel.
3. If an app appears, open it and select Activate Office or Sign in.
4. Sign in with the Microsoft account that you want permanently associated with this purchase.

For an Office purchase or offer included with the device, Windows transmits a digital product key automatically. You normally do not receive or enter a printed key. After activation, the license is added to the Microsoft account used during setup.^1^

Microsoft 365 is not necessarily displayed as one app named “Microsoft 365”; look for individual applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.^2^

2. Check what the laptop actually includes

The screen shown after opening Word determines the next action:

• “Office is included with this PC” or an activation/sign-in offer: Sign in and complete the prompts. This indicates a one-year subscription or one-time Office purchase associated digitally with the device.^1^
• Try / Buy / Activate: Select Activate if you already own Microsoft 365 or received a product key with the purchase. Select Try only if you want to begin the trial; it may become a paid subscription unless cancelled.^3^
• Only a Microsoft 365 Family trial appears: The software was preinstalled, but a paid license may not have been included. Microsoft states that this screen appears when no eligible Microsoft 365 or Office product is associated with the signed-in account.^1^

“Preinstalled” does not by itself mean that a paid Microsoft 365 subscription was included. Check the laptop receipt, product listing, or packaging for the exact entitlement—for example, a trial, a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription, or a one-time Office Home edition.

3. If Word or Excel is not found

Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and look for Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.

If nothing is installed, sign in at the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page using the same account used during the laptop’s initial setup. If an active Microsoft 365 or Office product appears, select Install, complete installation, then open Word and sign in to activate.^4^

If the receipt explicitly says Office or Microsoft 365 was included but no entitlement appears and Word offers only a trial, contact the laptop retailer or manufacturer first because they must confirm what was bundled with that specific device. Keep the receipt and a screenshot of the activation screen available.

References

1. Activate Office for Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Can't find Office applications in Windows 10?
3. Try, buy, or activate Office that's pre-installed on a new PC
4. Microsoft 365 on new computer - Microsoft Q&A