MS Project 2019 cant upgrade license

Matt Halsey 0 Reputation points
2026-10-19T18:58:37.8966667+00:00

: I need to upgrade ms project license from 2016 to 2019. i uninstalled 2016. when i install it, it defaults to ms project 2016

Microsoft 365 and Office | Project | For business | Windows
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  1. Jack-Bu 7,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-19T19:35:32.18+00:00

    Hi Matt, 

    Uninstalling Project 2016 does not automatically upgrade your existing license to Project 2019. To install and activate Project 2019, you must already have a separate Project 2019 license or product key associated with the correct Microsoft account. 

    • If you previously purchased Project 2019, try signing in to the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page using the Microsoft account associated with that purchase. From there, check whether Project 2019 is listed and select Install to download the corresponding installer. 
    • If Project 2019 was provided by your organization through a volume licensing agreement, please contact your IT administrator. They may need to install the correct edition using the Office Deployment Tool. If the installation package or deployment configuration still specifies Project 2016, it may continue installing that version even after Project 2016 has been uninstalled.  

    In case you have never purchased or been assigned a Project 2019 license, kindly note that Project 2019 is no longer available for purchase directly from Microsoft. Both Project 2016 and Project 2019 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. Although these applications may continue to work, they no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support from Microsoft.  

    Additional information: End of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 | Microsoft Support 

    For continued security, updates, and support, you may consider one of the following currently available options: 

    I hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click 'Yes' and kindly upvote it.  

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-19T18:59:28.83+00:00

    Project 2016 does not become Project 2019 by reinstalling or changing its license; you must own a separate Project 2019 entitlement and install Project from the account or volume-licensing source associated with that entitlement.

    Install the version you actually own

    Because Project 2016 has already been uninstalled, do not reinstall using the old 2016 download or media.

    For a retail Project Standard/Professional 2019 purchase:

    1. If the 2019 key has never been redeemed, sign in at microsoft365.com/setup with the Microsoft account that should own Project, then enter the Project 2019 product key.
    2. Go to microsoft365.com and sign in with that same account.
    3. Select Install and more.
    4. Open Services & subscriptions, locate Project Standard 2019 or Project Professional 2019, and select Install.
    5. If necessary, select Other options and choose the bit version matching the other installed Office applications.

    Redeeming the key links that specific Project version to the Microsoft account. The download must then be selected from that account’s owned products—not from the original Project 2016 installer. ^1^

    If only Project 2016 appears in Services & subscriptions, that account does not show a retail Project 2019 entitlement. Check the account used when the 2019 key was redeemed or verify that the purchased key explicitly says Project Standard 2019 or Project Professional 2019.

    For a work or school subscription:

    1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal with the licensed work or school account.
    2. Select Install and more > Install Microsoft 365 apps.
    3. Under View apps & devices, select Project, choose the matching bit version, and install it.
    4. If Project is absent, ask the Microsoft 365 administrator to assign a subscription that includes the Project desktop client. Project Online Essentials does not include it. ^1^

    A subscription installation is not necessarily Project 2019; it installs the desktop client provided by that subscription.

    For an organization’s volume license:

    Request the Project 2019 deployment package and activation details from IT. Volume-licensed Project 2019 uses Click-to-Run and is deployed with the Office Deployment Tool, not the Project 2016 MSI installer or the older Office Customization Tool. ^2^

    If the correct 2019 installer still installs or displays 2016

    Check an installed Office application at File > Account > Product Information:

    • Note whether Update Options appears. Its presence indicates Click-to-Run; its absence indicates Windows Installer (MSI).
    • Open About Project and check the full product name rather than relying only on version 16.0. Project 2016 and Project 2019 both use the internal version number 16.0.
    • Confirm all installed Office, Project, and Visio products use the same architecture—either all 32-bit or all 64-bit.
    • For volume licensing, ensure the products use compatible update channels.

    Microsoft documents that installation technology, product version, bitness, and update channel determine whether Office and Project installations can coexist. ^3^

    Do not enter a 2019 key into an installation obtained from Project 2016 media as a substitute for installing the 2019 product. If a genuine 2019 entitlement is visible but activation uses the wrong key, Microsoft provides key replacement commands, but first ensure that the installed edition matches the purchased edition. ^4^

    Current support status

    Project 2016 and Project 2019 both reached end of support on October 14, 2025 and no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. If Project 2019 has not already been purchased, deploy a currently supported Project version or Microsoft 365 Project subscription instead. ^5^

    References

    1. Install Project | Microsoft Support
    2. Deployment guide for Project
    3. Supported scenarios for installing different versions of Office, Project, and Visio on the same computer
    4. [Command line](https://support.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-activation-licensing/office-install/change-your-office-product-key)
    5. Products reaching end of support on October 14, 2025
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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