How to Remove Office 2021 License Key: Step-by-Step Guide

Ramnath Goenka

2 min read

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03-03-2025

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Removing an Office 2021 license key is a straightforward process, but the exact steps depend on how you initially activated Office. This guide covers the most common scenarios. Note: Completely uninstalling Office is generally recommended before reinstalling with a different key.

Method 1: Deactivating through the Office Account Portal (Recommended)

This method is ideal if you're switching computers or need to free up the license for another device.

1. Open a Web Browser: Access your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Office Account website.

2. Sign In: Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2021 license.

3. Locate Your Installations: You should see a list of devices where Office 2021 is installed and activated.

4. Select the Device: Choose the device from which you wish to remove the license.

5. Deactivate Installation: Look for an option to "Deactivate Installation" or a similar phrase. Click it.

6. Confirmation: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deactivation. Once complete, your Office 2021 license will be removed from that specific device.

Important: This method deactivates the license; it doesn't uninstall Office itself. You'll need to uninstall Office manually from the device using the Control Panel (see Method 2).

Method 2: Uninstalling Office 2021 and Removing the License (for Reinstallation)

If you intend to reinstall Office 2021 on the same computer with a different license key, completely uninstalling the previous installation is crucial.

1. Open Control Panel: Search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and open it.

2. Access Programs and Features: In the Control Panel, find "Programs and Features" (or "Uninstall a program").

3. Locate Microsoft Office 2021: Find the Microsoft Office 2021 entry in the list.

4. Uninstall: Right-click on Microsoft Office 2021 and select "Uninstall."

5. Follow the Prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the software. This may take some time.

6. Restart Your Computer: After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to ensure all files are removed.

Note: After following these steps, your Office 2021 license will be effectively removed from the computer. You can then install Office 2021 again using a new license key.

Method 3: Contacting Microsoft Support

If you encounter any issues with the above methods, or if you're unsure about a particular aspect of the process, contact Microsoft support directly for assistance. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

This guide provides a comprehensive approach to removing your Office 2021 license. Remember to always back up your important data before undertaking any software removal processes.