Do you have an old Microsoft redeem code you’d like to use? Microsoft Store is the perfect place to redeem gift cards. It’s full of premium downloadable content. Given the rising popularity of gift cards in general, millions of people are using gift cards in Microsoft Store.
In a recent survey, it was revealed that 50% of consumers in the United States buy gift cards because of how convenient they are. According to a study from CreditCards.com, the US adult population spent at least $21 billion on gift cards in 2022.
A lot of that money was spent on Microsoft gift cards. Unfortunately, using gift cards on the Microsoft Store is more challenging than using credit or debit cards. Many Microsoft gift card owners need help figuring out what to do with these cards.
Let’s address all of their queries in this article. First, here’s everything you need to know on how to add gift cards to your Microsoft account & use them before they expire.
Do you have a particular question about how to use Microsoft redeem codes? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
How to Redeem Microsoft Gift Card?
The way I redeem Microsoft & Xbox gift cards is the same. These gift cards come with product key codes that are 25 characters long. These key codes feature both numbers and letters. Now, you may have a key code that is shorter or longer than 25 characters.
Irrespective of what the code is, to redeem Xbox gift cards & Microsoft gift cards, you’ll have to take the following steps:
- Visit this website: https://redeem.microsoft.com (the official website for registering Microsoft redeem codes and you have to be logged in to your account to use it)
- Enter the 25-character code
- Click Next
- Click Continue
- On the next screen, you’ll see a pop-up menu displaying the item you’ve just claimed
- Click “Confirm.”
That item will be automatically added to your Microsoft account. For example, enter an Xbox Live Gold code. You’ll automatically receive an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription in your Microsoft account. Here’s a video guide that explains the same process:
What if the site says your attempt to redeem Microsoft code is invalid? Then, you should check your Microsoft account order history to see if you’ve redeemed the same code in the past.
Redeeming Microsoft Office-Related Product Key Codes
Suppose you want to activate an Office-related product key code or a Microsoft 365 product key code. In that case, you’ll need to employ a slightly different method. Here’s how you can redeem Microsoft gift cards for Office-related products:
- Visit https://setup.office.comSign into your Microsoft account
- Click Next
- Enter the 25-character-long code
- Click Next
Whatever Microsoft 365 app was attached to the code will be automatically downloaded & installed on your Microsoft account. All Microsoft gift cards (including Xbox gift cards) & redeem codes operate in the same way: they’re directly redeemed to your Microsoft account. You can spend the balance at the Microsoft Store if you get a discount on the download.
What if the site says your attempt to redeem Microsoft code is invalid? Again, your Microsoft account order history. If you need more convincing, get in touch with Microsoft’s support team for additional assistance.
Activating Microsoft Redeem Codes Via Microsoft Store
There’s another way to activate your Microsoft redeem code: via the Microsoft Store on your PC. If you have Windows 10 or 11, you probably have the store pre-installed on your PC. To redeem your gift codes via the store, take the following steps:
- On your Windows PC, open the Microsoft Store
- Login to your Microsoft account
- Select the option titled “Redeem Code or Gift Cards”
- in the space provided, enter the 25-character product key code
- Click Next
Keep following the on-screen prompts. Your gift will be automatically added to your Microsoft account. Here’s a video guide that further simplifies this process:
What Happens After I Use My Microsoft Redeem Code?
3 things can happen after you use your Microsoft redeem code or gift card.
First, suppose the code or the gift card has a cash value. In that case, the balance will be automatically transferred to your Microsoft account. For instance, if you have a $20 Microsoft gift card, $20 will be transferred to your Microsoft account as soon as you use the redeem code. Then, you can use that money to buy Windows or Xbox-related items on the Microsoft Store.
Suppose the gift card or code is tied to a specific game or app. In that case, that item will be automatically added to your Microsoft account’s library. You can download, install, & use that item from thereon.
If the gift card or code is tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription, that service will be added to your Microsoft account. Check the “Services & Subscriptions” section in your Microsoft account to see if that specific service has been activated.
How Can I Tell If My Microsoft Code Was Redeemed?
Check the order history on your Microsoft account. On the order history page, you’ll see all the key details about your gift cards or codes. From the dates on which they were redeemed to how the codes were used, you can find all these details on the order history page of your Microsoft account.
You’ll find a section titled “Payment method” on the order history page of your Microsoft account. You should see a list of all the redeemed codes in this section. If a code is in this section of your Microsoft account, it was successfully redeemed.
Bear in mind: all the instructions provided in this article only apply to first-time uses. I mean you can only redeem your Microsoft or Xbox gift cards once. Once you’ve used a specific code, you can’t reuse it again. You can’t transfer the code to other accounts either.
Many users make the mistake of transferring their gift codes to different accounts, hoping they can redeem the used codes again. Unfortunately, such attempts will lead to you receiving an error message: “This code has already been redeemed.”
What to Buy at the Microsoft Store in 2023?
Microsoft or Xbox gift card redeem codes are set to be very useful in 2023. This year, the Microsoft store is set to feature a variety of goodies: from premium content to consoles. In addition, there are thousands of possibilities on how you can spend your prepaid Microsoft gift cards. So, use this guide to make the most of your Microsoft gift cards or codes in 2023!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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