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To activate a subscription at microsoft365.com/setup, you redeem the 25-character product key that came with your purchase and link it to a Microsoft account. This guide shows exactly how to go to microsoft365.com/setup, enter your key, confirm your subscription, and what to do if something goes wrong along the way.
Click Here to Setup Microsoft 365 →

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What you need before you go to microsoft365.com/setup

Gather these before you start so activation goes smoothly:
  • Your 25-character product key. It is printed on the retail card (often under a scratch-off strip) or included in the confirmation email from the store where you bought Microsoft 365.
  • A Microsoft account. This can be an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Live address, or any email address you have registered as a Microsoft account. You can also create a new one during setup.
  • An up-to-date browser and a stable internet connection.
A product key can be redeemed only once. The subscription becomes permanently tied to the Microsoft account you sign in with, so choose the account you plan to keep using.

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How to activate your subscription at microsoft365.com/setup

1

Go to microsoft365.com/setup

Type https://www.microsoft365.com/setup directly into your browser’s address bar. Do not click ads or links from unknown emails. See using the official setup URL safely.
2

Sign in or create a Microsoft account

Select Sign in and use the account you want the subscription attached to. If you do not have one, choose the option to create a new account. Not sure which account to use? Read how to link your Microsoft account.
3

Enter your product key

Type the 25-character product key exactly as printed. Double-check similar-looking characters before you continue.
4

Choose your country or region and language

Select your country or region and preferred language, then continue.
5

Confirm and finish

Review the subscription details and confirm. Your subscription is now active and appears on the services and subscriptions page of your Microsoft account.
Keep your product card or email in a safe place even after activation. It is useful proof of purchase if you ever contact Microsoft Support.

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Renewing or extending an existing subscription

If you already have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and bought a new product key to renew it, the process is the same. Visit microsoft365.com/setup, sign in with the same Microsoft account that holds your current subscription, and enter the new key. The additional time is added to your existing subscription instead of creating a separate one.

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After you activate your subscription

Activation only adds the subscription to your account. To actually use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, you still need to install the apps:
  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account or microsoft365.com.
  2. Select Install apps.
  3. Run the installer and sign in to any app with the same account.
Full instructions for each device are in installing Microsoft 365 apps.

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Common activation problems

Check for typos and similar-looking characters. Make sure the key is for Microsoft 365 and that you are using microsoft365.com/setup, not a different product’s page.
The key may have been redeemed already, possibly by you on a different Microsoft account. Sign in to your other accounts and check their subscriptions. If you cannot find it, contact Microsoft Support with your proof of purchase.
The subscription stays on the account that redeemed it. Use that account to install and sign in to the apps, or contact Microsoft Support for options.
Try a private browsing window, a different browser, or clear your cache and cookies. More fixes are in the troubleshooting guide.

What is microsoft365.com/setup?

Understand the setup page before you start.

Install Microsoft 365 apps

Install on Windows, Mac, and mobile.

Business setup

Setting up a Business plan instead?

Troubleshooting

Fix common setup issues.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Always enter your product key only on the official microsoft365.com/setup page.