No, you generally won't lose your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents when upgrading Microsoft Office, as files are stored separately from the application, but always back up important files first, especially Outlook data (.PST/.OST files), to prevent potential issues during a major upgrade, like moving from an old Office version to Microsoft 365 or a new Windows OS. Your files remain on your computer, but backing up protects against glitches, compatibility problems, or unexpected errors, ensuring a smooth transition.
Microsoft Word in the 2024 version includes better collaboration features, improved dictation capabilities, and more sophisticated editing recommendations. The Editor tool has expanded considerably, providing writing assistance that surpasses what the 2019 release offered.
In the Back up or restore your files window, select Select another backup to restore files from. In the Restore Files (Advanced) window that opens, select the external storage device that contains the backup. Follow the wizard to restore files from the backup.
However, you may transfer Office 2021, 2019, or 2016 to another computer that belongs to you, but not more than one time every 90 days (except due to hardware failure, in which case you may transfer sooner).
What happens to my files during the upgrade? The default experience during a Windows 11 upgrade is that files and data are moved to the new Windows 11 installation. However, Microsoft always recommends backing up files before installing a new Windows version.
Disadvantages of upgrading to Windows 11 include strict hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, newer CPU), a less customizable and functional Taskbar/Start Menu compared to Windows 10, potential compatibility issues with older software/drivers, increased bloatware/ads, and mandatory Microsoft Account sign-ins for home users, plus general learning curve and potential early bugs or performance dips on older hardware.
After upgrading to Windows 11, users can take advantage of the rollback function within 10 days to revert to Windows 10 while keeping all data and files moved to Windows 11. Moving back after this period would require backing up all your data and performing a clean install.
6 methods to transfer files from PC to PC
After you sign in, select your name in the upper right-hand corner, and then select Order History . Locate the Microsoft 365 one-time purchase or individual Microsoft 365 app, and then select Install Microsoft 365 to view your product key (this doesn't actually install Microsoft 365).
Transferring MS Office to Another Computer
There are several reasons your files may have disappeared from your desktop. Common causes include accidental deletion, system updates, corrupted user profiles, or changes in display settings.
They will be erased for one or both of these reasons: You haven't used your OneDrive account in two years. You have exceeded your OneDrive storage limit.
Microsoft Defender is Deleting Files
Microsoft Defender can falsely flag safe files as malware, and quarantine or delete them. If you notice that Windows 10/11 keeps deleting specific programs and documents after a restart, consider adding an exception for them in Windows Defender.
In most cases when you run the Microsoft Office Setup program on a computer with an earlier version of Office installed, the earlier version is removed. However, there are instances when an uninstall is necessary, such as if you run into errors or problems during installation.
This message is often triggered by a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription payment. For example, if your payment was declined due to an expired or cancelled credit card, your subscription may become expired or suspended.
Support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 ended on October 14, 2025 and there will be no extension and no extended security updates. All of your Office 2016 and Office 2019 apps will continue to function.
After you sign in, your product is added to your Microsoft account, so that you can reinstall it later, or manage your new subscription, without a product key.
Go to the Microsoft account website and sign in with the email address and password associated with your Microsoft account. Once you are signed in, click on the "Services & subscriptions" tab. Locate the Microsoft Office product that you want to retrieve the license key for and click on "View product key".
A product key is a unique alphanumeric code provided during the installation of Microsoft software (such as Windows or Office). It serves as a license key that validates your ownership of the software. Product keys are typically 25 characters long and are used during the installation process.
Migration Assistant transfers documents, apps, user accounts, and settings from one Mac to another. It doesn't delete information from your old Mac or replace the operating system (macOS) on your new Mac.
How to set up a new computer: Step-by-step
A working hard disk formatted for use by any prior version of Windows can certainly be read by Windows versions that come later. Of course, you'll have to open the old computer and extract the drive. Then you can either install it as an internal or external drive of the new machine.
Since Microsoft adopted an annual feature update cadence for its desktop OS, with updates like 24H2 and 25H2 arriving in the autumn of each year, that time of year seems likely for the next major version update. If we drew a parallel with the Windows 10 lifespan, we'd get Windows 12 in 2027.
Yes, you can still use Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, but your PC will no longer receive free security updates, making it vulnerable; you'll need to upgrade to Windows 11, pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU), or risk increased security threats, as it will still function but without support or patches.