We bought microsoft 365 for two computers

Sign in to Microsoft’s Services & subscriptions page with the account originally used to purchase Office, then reactivate each computer with that licensed account instead of buying another copy.

1. Identify the account that owns the purchase

1. Open https://account.microsoft.com/services.
2. Sign in with each account that might have been used when Office was purchased—including the personal Microsoft account associated with your regular email address.
3. Look for Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2024, or another Office product under Services & subscriptions.
4. If it is not listed, check that account’s Payment & billing → Order history.

The correct account is the one where the product or subscription appears. Using the wrong account causes Office to report that it cannot find a licensed product. Microsoft associates newer Office licenses with an account for installation, activation, and billing management.[^1^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "About accounts in Office | Microsoft Support")

A Microsoft account does not have to be used as your everyday email mailbox. If your regular non-Microsoft email address was registered as a Microsoft account, it can be the sign-in name. You may continue using your regular email service; the Microsoft sign-in is needed to verify the Office license.

2. Check what was purchased

The page will show one of these:

• Microsoft 365 Personal or Family: This is a subscription, not a lifetime purchase. It must remain active. Microsoft 365 includes ongoing updates and services.
• Office 2021 or Office 2024: This is a one-time purchase. It does not expire, but it activates only the corresponding Office version and does not include upgrades to later major versions.^2^

If Microsoft 365 shows Expired or Cancelled, the desktop applications enter reduced-functionality mode: documents remain, but creating, editing, and saving are disabled until the subscription is restored.[^3^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "What happens when your Microsoft 365 subscription expires | Microsoft Support")

3. Reactivate the computers

On each Windows computer:

1. Open Word or Excel.
2. Select File → Account.
3. Sign out of any account that does not own or share the license.
4. Select Sign in and use the account shown as active under Services & subscriptions.
5. Close and reopen the application.

If the subscription is active but Office still says Unlicensed Product, check Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features. If multiple Office versions are installed, uninstall the version that is not licensed, restart the computer, and sign in again. Microsoft identifies the wrong account, an expired subscription, and conflicting Office installations as common activation issues.^4^

If two different people use the computers

If the purchase is Microsoft 365 Family, the subscription owner must share it with the second person:

1. The owner signs in at https://account.microsoft.com/services/office/sharing.
2. Select Share.
3. Send an email invitation or create a sharing link.
4. The second person accepts the invitation and joins the owner’s family group.
5. That person signs in to Word or Excel using the Microsoft account that accepted the invitation.

Family sharing supports up to five additional people. Sharing is not available with Microsoft 365 Personal or Basic.^5^

Do not post email addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, product keys, or other personal details in this public forum. Edit the question to remove the exposed contact information.

References

1. [About accounts in Office | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
2. Office 2021 and Office LTSC for Windows and Mac FAQ | Microsoft Support
3. [What happens when your Microsoft 365 subscription expires | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
4. Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office | Microsoft Support
5. How to share your Microsoft 365 Family subscription