Most laptops do not come with the full Microsoft Office suite included. Many Windows laptops ship with a short Microsoft 365 trial or just the Microsoft 365 app/shortcuts that prompt you to sign in or buy a licence. Full licences are only included when the retailer or manufacturer bundles them explicitly.

This guide explains everything you need to know — especially if you’re shopping for a laptop in the UK and want to avoid surprises.

Why are full versions rarely included?

• Microsoft Office is now sold mainly as a subscription (Microsoft 365) or a separate one-time purchase.
• Manufacturers typically avoid adding full licenses to keep laptop prices competitive.

Bundles with Office are usually part of special promotions, not standard practice.

What you might get out of the box

Trial vs full licence vs shortcuts

• Trial: A time‑limited Microsoft 365 trial (often 1 month). You get full desktop apps during the trial, after which they revert to read‑only unless you subscribe.
• Full licence: Either a 12‑month Microsoft 365 subscription bundled with the device or a perpetual one‑time licence such as Office Home & Student 2021. These are clearly stated on the product page or box.
• Shortcuts only: Windows 11 often includes the Microsoft 365 app or “Get Office” shortcuts. These are not a licence—they’re sign‑in and purchase prompts or links to the free web apps.

How bundles are labelled by UK retailers

On UK retailer pages (e.g., Currys, Argos, John Lewis), look for explicit wording such as:

• “Includes 12‑month Microsoft 365 Personal”
• “Office Home & Student included”
• “Microsoft 365 1‑year subscription worth £XX included”
  If the listing only says “Microsoft 365 pre‑installed” or “includes Microsoft 365 app,” assume it’s a trial or shortcut, not a paid licence.

What Windows 11 includes (and doesn’t)

Windows 11 does not include Microsoft Office by default. You may see the Microsoft 365 app or links to install Office, but these require a valid subscription or licence to edit documents beyond the trial period.

Microsoft 365 vs Office (one-time) explained

Microsoft 365 (Personal, Family) subscription

• What it is: A subscription service with the full desktop apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote), plus OneDrive cloud storage and updates/features as they’re released.
• Typical UK pricing: Personal often around £59.99/year or monthly; Family often around £79.99/year or monthly (share with up to 6 people). Prices change—check current UK RRP.
• Good for: Households or individuals who want the latest features, OneDrive storage/backup, and use across multiple devices.

Office 2021 one-time purchase (Home & Student / Home & Business)

• What it is: A perpetual licence (no ongoing subscription) for classic versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Home & Student). Home & Business adds Outlook. One device per licence, PC or Mac.
• Typical UK pricing: Home & Student is often around £149.99 RRP; Home & Business higher. Confirm current pricing.
• Good for: Users who don’t need cloud storage, collaboration features, or frequent updates—and prefer a single upfront cost.

Which option suits you?

• Light, single‑device user who just needs Word/Excel/PowerPoint without ongoing updates: Office Home & Student (one‑time) can be cost‑effective.
• Multi‑device household, students collaborating in the cloud, or anyone who wants Outlook + large OneDrive storage: Microsoft 365 Personal or Family is typically better value over 2–3 years.
• If you’re unsure, start with a Microsoft 365 trial and assess; just set a reminder before it renews.

How to check if a laptop includes Office before you buy (UK)

On retailer product pages

• Look under “Key features,” “What’s in the box,” or “Package contents.”
• Seek explicit phrases like “Includes 12‑month Microsoft 365 Personal” or “Office Home & Student licence included.”
• If it says “pre‑installed” or “trial,” that’s not a full licence.

On manufacturer pages (HP, Lenovo, Dell, etc.)

• Search for the exact model number and check the “Software” or “Preinstalled applications” section.
• Some OEMs run limited‑time promos—ensure the offer applies to the exact SKU you’re buying in the UK.

In‑store clues

• Box stickers or shelf labels will often say “Includes Microsoft 365, 1 year.”
• Ask staff to confirm the licence type (Microsoft 365 vs Office 2021), the term (trial vs 12‑month), and whether a product key card is included.

Red flags

• Vague language like “Microsoft 365 ready,” “pre‑installed,” or “Get Office app” without mention of a licence term.
• “Trial” in any form unless you’re happy to subscribe later.

How to confirm and activate Office on a new laptop

Check your Microsoft account for licences

• Go to account.microsoft.com and select Services & subscriptions. If a licence or subscription has been bundled or redeemed, it will appear there.

Using the Microsoft 365 app or Word

• Open Word, Excel or the Microsoft 365 app and sign in with your Microsoft account.
• If you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, the apps will activate after sign‑in.
• If you see prompts to buy or start a trial, you don’t have a full licence on that account.

Redeeming a product key from a card or bundle

• Some bundles include a product key card in the box or via email.
• Redeem at microsoft365.com/setup or redeem.microsoft.com, then sign in on the laptop to activate.

What happens after the trial ends

• Without a paid licence, desktop apps switch to read‑only mode. You can still open and print files but cannot edit or create new documents.
• Options: Subscribe to Microsoft 365, buy a one‑time Office 2021 licence, or use Office for the web for free editing in a browser.

Options if Office isn’t included

Subscribe to Microsoft 365

• Personal: 1 user across multiple devices with 1 TB OneDrive.
• Family: Up to 6 users, each typically with 1 TB OneDrive; great value if shared.
• Available via Microsoft, the Microsoft Store app, or UK retailers. Look out for legitimate discounts.

Buy Office Home & Student (one‑time)

• Pay once for classic Word, Excel and PowerPoint on one device. No cloud storage, no feature updates beyond security fixes.
• Consider if you rarely upgrade software and don’t need Outlook or multi‑device flexibility.

Use Office for the web (free)

• Word, Excel and PowerPoint run in a browser at office.com with a free Microsoft account.
• Core editing works well for many everyday tasks; advanced features are limited compared to desktop apps.

Student and education offers (UK)

• Many UK universities and some schools provide Microsoft 365 Education at no extra cost to students and staff when signed in with an eligible institutional email.
• Check your institution’s IT pages to confirm what’s included (web apps only vs desktop apps).

Free alternatives

• Google Docs, Sheets and Slides: Great for collaboration; works in a browser; exports to Office formats, though complex formatting may need adjustment.
• LibreOffice: Free desktop suite (Writer, Calc, Impress) compatible with many Office file types; best for offline use and one‑time licence preference.

Device differences (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)

Windows 11 laptops

• Most likely to include a Microsoft 365 trial or shortcuts.
• Fully supports Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Office 2021 licences.

MacBooks (macOS)

• Apple does not include Microsoft Office. You can install the Mac versions of Microsoft 365 apps via the Mac App Store or Microsoft’s site and activate with a subscription or an Office 2021 Mac licence (Home & Student/Business).

Chromebooks (ChromeOS)

• Use Office for the web via the browser at office.com. Microsoft’s Android Office apps are not the recommended path on ChromeOS.
• Best for users comfortable with web apps and cloud storage.

FAQs

Do laptops come with Word and Excel?

• Generally no. Many Windows laptops include a trial of Microsoft 365 or shortcuts, but Word and Excel require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription or a one‑time Office 2021 licence unless your device came with an explicit bundle.

Is Microsoft Office free on Windows 11?

• No. Windows 11 does not include a full Office licence. You can use Office for the web free in a browser, and you may see a trial on a new device, but continued use of the desktop apps requires a paid licence.

Do I need to pay for Microsoft 365 on a new laptop?

• Only if you want the full desktop apps beyond any included trial and you don’t already have a licence. Alternatives include buying Office Home & Student (one‑time), using Office for the web, or checking if your education provider offers Microsoft 365.

How much is Microsoft 365 in the UK?

• Typical RRPs: Personal around £59.99/year; Family around £79.99/year. Monthly plans are available. Prices and offers change—check current UK RRP and reputable retailers for promotions.

Does a MacBook come with Microsoft Office?

• No. macOS includes Apple’s iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote), but not Microsoft Office. You can install Microsoft 365 apps on a Mac and activate with a subscription or buy Office 2021 for Mac.

How do I check if my laptop includes Office?

• Before buying: Read the product page for clear wording like “Includes 12‑month Microsoft 365 Personal” or “Office Home & Student included.” After buying: Sign in at account.microsoft.com > Services & subscriptions, or open Word to see if it activates without purchasing.

What’s the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021?

• Microsoft 365 is a subscription with desktop apps, cloud storage, and ongoing feature updates for multiple devices. Office 2021 is a one‑time purchase of classic apps for a single device with no new features beyond security updates.

Can I use Word for free?

• Yes, via Word for the web at office.com with a free Microsoft account. For the full desktop Word app beyond any trial, you need Microsoft 365 or a one‑time Office 2021 licence.

Buying tips for UK shoppers

Budgeting for software

• Add the cost of Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 to your laptop budget unless you plan to use free web apps or an alternative suite.
• Students: Check your institution first—you may already be entitled to Microsoft 365 at no extra cost.

How to spot genuine bundles vs trials

• Genuine bundles clearly state the licence type and term (e.g., “Includes 12‑month Microsoft 365 Personal” or “Office Home & Student included”). “Pre‑installed,” “trial,” or “Get Office” alone isn’t a bundle.

Licence ownership vs subscription flexibility

• One‑time Office 2021: pay once, one device, no feature updates—good for stable needs.
• Microsoft 365: ongoing cost, multiple devices, OneDrive storage, continuous features—good for collaboration and families.

Glossary

• Microsoft 365: Subscription that includes Office apps, OneDrive storage, and ongoing feature updates.
• Office 2021: One‑time purchase of classic Office apps for one device (Home & Student or Home & Business).
• Licence: Your right to use the software; can be subscription (recurring) or perpetual (one‑time).
• Product key: 25‑character code used to redeem a licence from a card or email.
• Trial: Time‑limited access that requires payment to continue.
• OEM: Original equipment manufacturer (e.g., HP, Dell, Lenovo) that may bundle software with hardware.
• Activation: The process of validating your licence by signing in or redeeming a key.
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage service included with Microsoft 365.

Need a Genuine Microsoft Office License Key?

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Bottom line for the UK

• Assume a new laptop does not include a full Office licence unless it is clearly stated. If Office matters to you, verify the bundle on the product page, decide between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 based on how you work and your budget, and consider free options like Office for the web or student entitlements where available.