Resolved Transfer/Move Office 2013 Home and Studern to New Computer

I am helping a friend transition from a smaller screen Toshiba Satellite to a larger one (not new) they received as a gift. I have all the files transferred and programs installed. However, I am having a problem with Office 2013. She doesn't recall if the Office 2013 came pre installed or if it was a copy of her spouse's version which permitted installation on more than one computer. She doesn't have a 2013 disk - all she has is the card with the 25 character key on it.

I can't log into her Microsoft account on the new computer for any action to transfer - can only log in to the Microsoft account on the old computer on which the Key Card was activated.

I came across several hits as I searched the web that indicates that Microsoft was originally adamant the these reduced price Key Card copies could only be installed on one computer and when it dies, the Office dies with it. However, there was such a negative outcry that Microsoft relented to allow installation on a new computer. If that is true, I haven't broken the code yet on how to do it. One link I saw indicated that I need to log in to the account on the old computer and uninstall Office 2013 and deactivate and then log in on the new computer to download and install. I'm a bit concerned about removing it from the old computer before I feel comfortable that I can get it on the new computer. Any help out there?

 

You may need to contact MS on this. If it came pre-installed, then for sure it is an OEM version and cannot legally be transferred to a new computer.

I note the typical Office 2013 license (before and after the outcry) only allows for Office to be installed on 1 computer at a time. Not 3.

If you contact MS and explain this copy will only be on 1 computer, and give them the number, they may be able to help you.

Beyond that, you may be looking to install LibreOffice instead.

 

I purchased Office Home and Student 2013 which was a digital purchase.
I paid for and received the 25 digit key code by email.
I went into www,office.com/setup and followed the instructions and inserted the 25 digit key when requested.
The 2013 Office was downloaded and activated when the key was inserted again.
All went sweetly without any problem and I requested a backup DVD copy (FREE) in case of problems where Office would need to be re-installed.
This DVD arrived from Singapore about 2 weeks later.

I built another comp and needed to get Office on the new system - so I used the DVD to install and the Product Key was used for this.
I received a non-activate message from MS about it being already installed so I contacted the MS NZ office and explained that the first version was deleted from the old HDD and that this was a new build and they duly activated it.

I went from HDD to SSD when building the new comp and all has worked perfectly.
I recently purchased Office Home and Student 2016 by the same method and again it executed without problems.
As far as I know - 1 (one) install is all that is allowed for the License Product 25 Digit Key.

I don't see any problem if you can install Office 2013 and if the 25 digit key is rejected, you will find out if it's an OEM as Bill suggested.

My Bad - Office year was wrong. (2016)

 

Thanks Bill and RL. I think she has decided to purchase a new copy to avoid the hassle. So I will mark this thread as "Solved". Your replies confirmed to me that MS is pretty good at helping in this area.

 

Hi Robert, Because it's a digital download that I used, I can put the D/L on another drive for a backup in case I have any problems.
Don't need a spare DVD these days.