free 1yr subscription to microsoft office trouble

[Lelick]

the laptop i bought in august was supposed to come with a free year subscription to microsoft office, but it didnt come with a product key. I was supposed to get the subscription when i first started the PC, but when i try to use word, outlook,  etc it tells me my subscription is expired and i need to pay to resume the subscription.

I called the place that I bought the laptop, wallmart, and they told me to contact HP.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Lelick,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I understand that your new HP laptop, purchased in August, was advertised with a free one-year Microsoft Office subscription, but you haven’t received a product key and are being asked to pay for activation. I know how frustrating that can be, and I’ll be happy to help clarify and guide you through the next steps.

Step 1 – Verify If Your Laptop Includes the 1-Year Office Offer

Not all HP laptops include a 1-year Microsoft Office 365 Personal or Home subscription; some come only with a 1-month trial.
To confirm whether your model was bundled with a 1-year subscription:

1. Please check your original packaging or invoice for a sticker or printed label mentioning:
   • “Includes 1-Year Microsoft 365 Personal” or
   • “Office 1-Year Subscription Included.”
2. If you see such a label or sticker on the box or device, please share a clear photo of it privately (do not post publicly).
   This will help us verify eligibility and guide you to the correct activation method.

Step 2 – Check Your Pre-Installed Office App

On your HP laptop:

1. Open Word or Excel.
2. If prompted to sign in, use the Microsoft account you want the subscription tied to.
3. Go to File → Account → Product Information.
   • If it shows “Microsoft 365 Trial” or “Subscription Expired”, then the trial period has ended, and the 1-year offer may not have been activated.

Step 3 – Activation Help (If Eligible)

If your PC is confirmed to include a 1-year Microsoft 365 offer:

1. Make sure Windows is activated and your PC is connected to the internet.
2. Open any Office app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
3. Sign in using your Microsoft account (not your HP account).
4. The 1-year subscription should automatically activate; no product key is needed.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat