Moving from Office 365 to Office 2021 is a common requirement for users seeking a one-time purchase option over subscription-based licensing. The process involves uninstalling your current Office 365 suite, ensuring your license key for Office 2021 is ready, and installing Office 2021 cleanly to avoid any clashes.
Begin by backing up important files and settings. Then, disable any antivirus or firewall software temporarily to prevent them from blocking the uninstallation or installation process. On Windows 10/11, go to Settings → Apps, locate Microsoft Office (Office 365), and select Uninstall. On older Windows versions, open Control Panel → Programs and Features, choose Office 365, and click Uninstall.
Once Office 365 is removed, clear out any leftover folders, especially from C:Program FilesMicrosoft Office and C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Office, along with clearing C:WindowsTemp and %temp% directories. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to ensure system file integrity, then restart your computer.
To install Office 2021, sign into your copyright where your product key is linked, download the Office 2021 installer, and run it. Choosing the offline installer option can improve reliability during setup. Follow the on-screen prompts to activate Office, and then re-enable your antivirus and firewall.
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