Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
- Verify the subscription is active at Services & subscriptions. The laptop must be signed in with the same Microsoft account used to buy Microsoft 365.
- Reinstall from the account portal instead of relying on the existing setup:
- Go to https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps
- Select Sign in
- Sign in with the account associated with Microsoft 365
- Select Install apps
- Run the installer and complete setup
- After installation, open an app manually:
- Select Start
- Type Word or Excel
- Open the app from the search results
- Accept the license agreement if prompted
- If activation is needed, sign in with the same Microsoft account
- If the app opens but activation does not complete, follow the Activation Wizard prompts. Microsoft 365 activates when the correct Microsoft account, or work or school account, is used.
- If the laptop had Office pre-installed, the device may be showing a trial or preloaded copy. In that case, starting an Office app and signing in with the Microsoft account that owns the subscription is required. If the pre-installed copy is only a trial, a valid Microsoft 365 purchase must be linked to the account.
- If no Office apps appear after installation, uninstall existing Office versions first to avoid conflicts, restart the laptop, then install again from Services & subscriptions or https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
- If Microsoft 365 still shows as missing or not activated, use Contact us at the bottom of the Microsoft Support page.
This does not indicate a scam by itself. The most common cause is signing in with the wrong Microsoft account or an incomplete/conflicting Office installation.
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