How do I replace Office Home & Student 2021 with Microsoft 365 personal subscription?

Leslie Slaughter 55 Reputation points
2026-11-02T19:27:08.1533333+00:00

I purchased Microsoft 365 personal subscription from Amazon and followed Amazon option to activate Microsoft 365 which opened my Microsoft account and I followed Microsoft 365 option to "Get Started", then option to "Redeem", then "Get Installer", then "Download files".

How do I replace the apps from Office Home and Student 2021 with the Microsoft 365 subscription apps?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
John Jefferson Doyon 90,550 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-02T20:06:29.6833333+00:00

Hi, @Leslie Slaughter

Please check this page and sign in: https://account.microsoft.com/services Do you see the 365 subscription there?

If 365 subscription is listed there, please try these steps if you haven’t already:

Before installing, it’s a good idea to uninstall all existing versions of Office to avoid conflicts.

Here’s how:

  • Open the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  • Look for any version of Microsoft Office or Office apps, right-click, then choose Uninstall. Please uninstall all Office apps.
  • Once that’s done, restart your computer just to be safe.

Then, to reinstall Microsoft Office:

  • Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services
  • Sign in using the same Microsoft account linked to your license.
  • Find your Microsoft 365 Subscription and click the "Install".
  • That will download the installer for the Office apps, just run it and follow the steps.

If anything’s unclear or the "Install" option still doesn’t show, feel free to let me know. I’ll be happy to walk you through it!

I really hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-02T19:27:53.45+00:00

    Remove Office Home & Student 2021, restart Windows, and then run the Microsoft 365 installer while signed in with the Microsoft account used to redeem the Amazon purchase.

    1. Confirm that redemption completed

    1. Open Services & subscriptions in your Microsoft account.
    2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used during Amazon activation.
    3. Confirm that Microsoft 365 Personal appears as active at the top of the page.

    If it is listed, the subscription is attached to that account; do not redeem the product key again. Microsoft recommends installing previously redeemed products through the associated Microsoft account.^1^

    2. Remove Office Home & Student 2021

    Uninstalling Office removes the applications but does not delete your Word documents, Excel workbooks, or other personal files.^2^

    Use either method below:

    Standard uninstall

    1. Search Windows for Control Panel.
    2. Select Programs > Programs and Features.
    3. Select Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021.
    4. Select Uninstall and complete the prompts.
    5. Restart the PC.

    If the standard uninstall fails or leaves Office 2021 behind

    Use Microsoft’s uninstall troubleshooter on that PC. It supports Office 2021 on Windows 10 or later. Follow its prompts and restart when requested.^3^

    3. Install Microsoft 365 Personal

    Because the installer has already been downloaded, locate OfficeSetup.exe—normally in Downloads—and double-click it. Approve the User Account Control prompt and wait for “You’re all set! Office is installed now.”

    Alternatively, download a fresh installer:

    1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Apps page using the account holding the Personal subscription.
    2. Select Install apps.
    3. Select Install.
    4. Run or open the downloaded installer.
    5. Select Close when installation finishes.^4^

    4. Activate and verify

    1. Open Word.
    2. Accept the license agreement if prompted.
    3. Sign in with the Microsoft account holding the Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.
    4. Go to File > Account.
    5. Under Product Information, confirm that it shows a Microsoft 365 subscription rather than Office Home & Student 2021.

    If Office 2021 still appears there, run the uninstall troubleshooter, restart, and reinstall Microsoft 365 from the subscribed account. This clean removal-and-reinstallation path is Microsoft’s documented resolution when Microsoft 365 subscription features are unavailable in existing Office apps.^3^

    References

    1. Where to enter your Office product key | Microsoft Support
    2. [Microsoft Store](https://support.microsoft.com/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/uninstall-microsoft-365-or-office-from-a-pc)
    3. Microsoft 365 subscription features aren't available in Office apps | Microsoft Support
    4. Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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