aka.ms/office_setup explained
Updated
aka.ms/office_setup is a Microsoft short link to its help for redeeming a product key for Office or Microsoft 365, the step that adds a newly bought product to your Microsoft account so you can install the apps.
Where the link goes
When we checked on 21 October 2026, aka.ms/office_setup forwarded to a Microsoft Support topic link, which opened the article Get help redeeming your product key on support.microsoft.com. Microsoft lists it as applying to Microsoft 365 for home and to Office 2024, 2021 and 2019, plus Project and Visio Standard.
A similar short link, aka.ms/office-install, does something different. On the same day it forwarded to portal.office.com/ols/mysoftware.aspx, which sent us to the Microsoft sign-in page at login.microsoftonline.com. That route is mainly useful if Microsoft 365 comes from your work or school; it takes you to a sign-in page rather than a help article.
What redeeming a key means
Microsoft explains that redeeming a product key is a one-time process that adds the product to your Microsoft account. After that, you install and activate Office with your Microsoft account, not the key. Two practical consequences:
- A key can only be redeemed once. If you see This product key has already been used, Microsoft says to skip to installing the apps from your account.
- Remember which account you used. Reinstalling later means signing in with that same Microsoft account.
Microsoft also notes that an existing Microsoft 365 subscriber can redeem a new key to extend the subscription, and that buyers of several keys can repeat the process to extend it for up to 5 years.
What you need before you start
- The product key from the card, package or Microsoft Store receipt.
- A Microsoft account you will keep using. The product is tied to it after redemption, and you sign in with it to reinstall.
- A PC or Mac that meets the system requirements. Microsoft's install article asks you to check them before you begin.
- Your country or region and language, which the setup page asks for when you enter the key.
Microsoft's steps
- Find your key. It is in the package or on a card under a silver foil you gently scratch off. If you bought from the Microsoft Store, Microsoft says the key is on your receipt.
- Open the official setup page. Microsoft's article gives two addresses: office.com/setup and microsoft365.com/setup. Type one yourself.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one and note its details.
- Enter the key (hyphens are optional) and choose your country or region and language.
- Follow the prompts. For Microsoft 365 you may be asked for payment details to turn on recurring billing, or to confirm the subscription.
- Install the apps. Microsoft says to sign in at account.microsoft.com/services, find the product and select Install.
Installing or reinstalling later
Microsoft's separate install article says to go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps, sign in with the account linked to your Microsoft 365 or Office, and select Install apps. On a PC the 64-bit version is installed by default unless a 32-bit version is already there. Installation is finished when you see You're all set! Office is installed now. You then open an app such as Word and accept the licence agreement to activate it. If activation runs into trouble, an Activation Wizard appears.
To switch between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions, Microsoft says you must first uninstall Microsoft 365, including stand-alone apps such as Project or Visio, then sign in to the apps page again and choose the version under the install options.
On a Mac
Microsoft's Mac steps are: once the download finishes, open Finder, go to Downloads and double-click the Microsoft Office installer .pkg file. Select Continue, review and agree to the licence agreement, choose how to install, then select Install and enter your Mac login password if asked. Microsoft notes that this is the password you use to log in to your Mac. To activate, open Word from Launchpad and select Get Started in the What's New window.
On a phone or tablet
Microsoft 365 apps can also be installed on phones and tablets. Microsoft has separate set-up articles for mobile devices, linked from its product key and install pages.
Microsoft 365 Family subscribers can let up to 5 other people install Office; Microsoft points them to the sharing page at account.microsoft.com/services/office/sharing.
Common problems
- Product key errors. Microsoft links to a separate article for errors on the setup page. Check you are typing the key exactly, and that you are not trying to reuse one that has already been redeemed.
- No Install button after signing in. Microsoft says there could be an issue with your account. Check that you signed in with the same Microsoft account you used to redeem the key.
- Work or school licence. If your employer or school provides Microsoft 365, there is no key to redeem; sign in with your work or school account and install from the apps page, or ask your IT team.
Watch out for fake "Office setup" sites
Be careful with any site that uses the words "office setup" but is not on a Microsoft address, especially if it asks for your key, a fee or a phone call. Microsoft's guidance on tech support scams says to download software only from official Microsoft sources, that Microsoft error messages never include phone numbers, and that Microsoft will never ask you to pay for support with gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Setting up sign-in security for the same account? See aka.ms/mfasetup for work or school accounts, or aka.ms/passkeys to sign in without a password. More links are in our aka.ms links directory.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is aka.ms/office_setup?
A Microsoft short link to the support article Get help redeeming your product key. That is where it led when we checked on 21 October 2026.
Where do I enter my Office product key?
Microsoft's article says to go to office.com/setup or microsoft365.com/setup, sign in with your Microsoft account and type the key there.
Can I use the same product key twice?
No. Microsoft says a key can only be redeemed once. After that, you install Office by signing in with the Microsoft account the key was added to.
What is aka.ms/office-install?
On 21 October 2026 it opened portal.office.com, which led to the Microsoft sign-in page. It is mainly for installing Microsoft 365 through a work or school account.