Receiving an error that my product key is invalid

Anonymous
2010-01-18T17:07:08+00:00

My Office program is asking me to enter my product key, and when I do, it keeps giving a message saying that my product key is invalid.  I don’t know what else to do, I’m sure I’m entering the right numbers and letters.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2010-01-18T17:14:38+00:00

Hi Sangeetha

This is a very common question, and the answer is usually one of these two scenarios:

1.       Did you just install Office from a retail box you just purchased?  If so, go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and see if there is another copy of Office installed besides the suite you just installed.  Some pre-installed Trial Office 2007 suites can conflict with the product key validation process.  If you see a duplicate copy of Office installed, then uninstall it and try to run your new Office program again.  Chances are your product key will work now.

2.       If you are using the 25-digit product key that you found on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop or on the back of your desktop case, then you are using the wrong key.  This key is the product key for the Windows operating system, and NOT for the Office Suite.  The correct product key for the Office suite will be in one of these places:

a.       Inside the retail Office 2007 box (if you bought Office from a retail store)

b.      Inside an e-mail from the online website where you purchased Office

c.       On the outside of the CD case, on a sticker

Microsoft has a knowledge base article that goes into more detail around the invalid product key scenario.  It is located at

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836178  , and would be a good place to go if these instructions above do not resolve your issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-21T06:35:39+00:00

    compre una computadora lenovo y cuando quiero activar microsoft office 2010, con la clave que tienen la tarjeta de autenticidad me marca un error, y rectifico y escribo de nuevo los numero con mu cho cuidado para no errar pero me sigue mandando el error de que la clave es incorrecta, que puedo hacer para corregir el problema.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-18T00:16:59+00:00

    good day 

    like one guy say pre installed and the note book don't have a "box" where do i get the key then, how do the sticker look like? please. I download visio product and now it ask me for my product key?

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-12-05T20:54:42+00:00

    You could install office 2010 professional plus beta, from the following link:

    http://care.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/office2010/2/4/7/247A463C-AF98-4778-B5A3-934CB8D198D1/ProfessionalPlus.exe?lcid=1033 

    And the office key is on the next link:http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/activation.aspx

    This post would have been useful half a year ago but now the beta has expired.

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