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.

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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
    2013-10-18T00:13:46+00:00

    Not ANYMORE THEY WON'T .

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-13T14:42:32+00:00

    Hi Aravinda Balakrishna, 

    Just a quick question about the option 2 you put, i have a sticker on the bottom of my laptop with microsoft displayed on it. 

    Does this mean that the product code on that sticker is the right one to use on word or powerpoint?

    Surely if it was for windows it would say windows on it? 

    Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-18T17:19:23+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.

    I don't have the box anymore so now how do I get what I paid for when purchased..i have only what is on product pc. bruce nash

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-18T17:40:53+00:00

    I keep having the same problem, except I purchased MS Word program online. I was in chat with a tech for almost two hours this morning and the problem still did not get resolved. We tried removing the Word Program and reinstalling. Got a message that my internet connection is slow, and the program stopped installing a 87%. I have a brand new computer and Comcast/Xfinity high speed internet. I was referred to another Tech 45 minutes ago and am still waiting for a call back. Any suggestions?

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