Reinstalling Microsoft Office on a Dell Computers

Summary: Learn how to reinstall Microsoft Office on your Dell computer after reinstalling the operating system and how to recover your Office license.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Affected Products:

  • Microsoft Office

The reinstallation method for Microsoft Office on a computer depends on the type of license that was delivered with your computer.

Note: Office 2024 and Office 365 are the current versions Dell supports.

There are two types of installations:

  • Microsoft Account (MSA) Based
    Note: This is the most common license type and should be the method used by most customers.
  • Device Based
    Note:
    • Digital Authentication for Business: This method is only used when Office is ordered in Japan
    • Academic orders purchased with a Letter of Eligibility
Note: If you are unsure about the type of license that came with your computer, contact Dell support for assistance.

MSA License:

To reinstall Office, after an operating system reinstallation, follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://accounts.microsoft.com This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
    Go to https://accounts.microsoft.com
  2. Go to Subscriptions and click Install
    Click Install
  3. Choose the appropriate options and click the Install button
    Click the Install button
  4. Once the download has been completed, click Open File to begin installation.
    Click Open File
  5. The installer runs and lets you know when it is complete
    The installer will run and let you know when it is complete
  6. Open any Office application (for example, Word, Excel, Power Point, and so on), and it informs you a license is waiting.
    Open any Office application (for example, Word, Excel, Power Point, etc), and it will inform you a license is waiting 
  7. Accept the license agreement to begin using Office.
    Accept the license agreement

Microsoft Office is activated and ready to use.

Device-Based License:

If your computer came with a Device-Based License, you could reinstall Office without using an MSA.

Note: Device-Based Licenses are not available in all regions and countries.

To reinstall Office using a Device-Based License:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Office installation file or download it from the Microsoft website.
  2. Run the installation file and follow the prompts to install Microsoft Office.
  3. During the installation process, you are asked to enter the product key:
    • Enter the product key that was provided with your Dell computer or is printed on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label on the computer.
  4. Once the installation is complete, open any Microsoft Office application (for example, Word, Excel, Power Point, and so on) and it automatically activates using the Device-Based License.

Related Articles:

 

Device-based licensing for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

 

Article Properties
Article Number: 000362515
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2025
Version:  2
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