Hi all,
I recently had my laptop repaired due to a broken Windows installation that required a complete reinstallation, which wiped everything. After picking it up, the repair shop resolved the initial Windows activation issue, but now I'm facing a problem with Microsoft Office. When I tried to work on a school assignment, I found out that I now have to pay for Word, PowerPoint, and the rest of the Microsoft 365 package. This is strange because I used to use these programs for free without any issues before the repair.
I'm wondering if the need to pay for the software is related to the repairs. Did something happen to my license during the process? Is there anything the repair shop can do to help me? Or should I just accept that I won't be able to use those apps for free anymore and rely on my work laptop instead?
If anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!
2 Answers
You might want to check if your school offers a free version of Microsoft Office. If you have a school email, you can probably access the web versions at office.com, which are free. But I get it; it’s not the same as having the full downloaded version.
It sounds like your previous license might have been tied to your old Windows setup. If it was an older version before 2016, it could have been a standalone license. If you were using Office 365, you simply need to log in with your original account that had the license. Check if that account info is still good!
I honestly don’t remember what kind of license it was. I got the laptop in 2020, and it was all set up for me at first. Now I can’t access anything because I have a school license but can’t log into the Microsoft Store.
That’s true, but the web version has limited features. I’d much rather work with the downloaded versions to have more functionality for my creative projects.