How to Reinstall Office After a Hard Drive Crash

By Todd Bowerman

If Office came pre-installed on your PC, you'll need to download it again to install.
i Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Microsoft’s Office suite of productivity tools often comes pre-installed on Windows computers in trial form. While this is convenient for users looking to immediately get started with their new PCs, it can create trouble for those attempting to fix damage that occurred in a hard drive crash. Since there’s no reason to include an install disc when the software comes packaged into the operating system, re-installing the Office suite requires an alternative approach than simply sticking discs in the tray and following on-screen instructions.

Step 1

Locate your Microsoft Office product key. If Office came with your PC, you’ll find the product key printed on a small sticker somewhere on the PC’s case. Write down the product key on a notepad so you’ll be able to access it with ease.

Step 2

Navigate to the Microsoft Office backup download website (see Resources). Click “Go to My Account.”

Step 3

Enter your Microsoft account details (or create a new account). The “Office Products” portion of your Microsoft account provides access to all activated Office licenses. If you haven’t activated your license previously, you’ll need to do so now. On the “Office Products” screen, select “Activate Office Now.”

Step 4

Enter the product key you found on your PC case. Click “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete registration.

Step 5

Return to the “Office Products” screen. If you have successfully added your Office license to your account, you’ll see an “Install” button next to your current version of Office. Click this button to start the download process.

Step 6

Double-click the downloaded Office install file to start your re-installation. Once the installer finishes, you’ll be able to use Office just as you did before your hard drive failure.

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