Download purchased Office and save files and product key until W10 eol

Judy in Texas · 2 Weeks Ago

I want to have Office 2021 standalone in case one of my workhorses dies without the chance to uninstall the copies I have or for future computers I will buy when W10 support ends and both of my workhorses Desktop and laptop) need to be replaced. I expect the great low cost deals I see now will no longer be available.

Why? I am in a rural area and it is not unusual for the internet to go down, or for the power to go out. Yet the laptop would be good for awhile without either.

How can I order the product but not install it, and have the OEM product key that these discount sellers provide available a couple of years from now?

Try3 · 2 Weeks Ago

You can ask the prospective seller about the delayed installation.
- But I think they might not know.
- Even worse, they might not know but say you can do what you want just to get rid of you.
When I bought MSOffice 2021, the seller openly stated that the product key had to be used within 30 days.

You can also try asking Microsoft support.
- But I think the customer service staff you can get through to might not know.
- Even worse, they might not know but say you can do what you want just to get rid of you.

I suggest you
1 make a system image & full file backup of one of your computers, then
2 install & activate the new MSOffice, then
3 consider making a further system image including this new MSOffice, then
4 restore the system image & full file backup you made at step 1.

All the best,
Denis

Judy in Texas · 2 Weeks Ago

Thank you Denis

When I get a new computer, it will have windows 11. How do I install the Office but not the other programs, given that all I have is the backup files and not my pre-existing computer (if it died)

Try3 · 2 Weeks Ago

The steps involving the system image & file backup are to be done now.
- I am not suggesting you restore a system image to your future computer.
- The image & file backup are just to allow you to do the installation & activation now - secure in the knowledge that you'll then be able to get back to where you started from.
The installation*** is to allow activation.
The activation, once done, will remain on your MSAccount and will therefore allow you to reinstall MSOffice in the future.

*** When you download it, there will be an option to choose between downloading a small "online" installer & a large full installation file.
- I downloaded the full one and this made it straightforward to do a reinstallation a year later.
- I don't remember having the choice but other forum discussions say I must have done.

Denis