Don't remember email address used to activate Microsoft Office

Anonymous
2013-11-19T04:12:13+00:00

Hi,

After I installed the new Windows 8.1 update, my Microsoft Office 365 had to be reinstalled.  I reinstalled Office, which then asked that I activate it.  I had my product key, which I entered when prompted and got the green check to move on to the next step.  The next step was to enter the email address that Office was activated with.  I don't remember activating Office with an email address OR I don't remember what the email address was.

How can I retrieve the email address so that I can complete activation?

Side note:  I think it's absolutely absurd that requesting your email address or username for any Microsoft product is so difficult.  I have read several forums with people having the same issue and wanting one simple thing - their username/email address that is linked to the product that they paid for.  Microsoft needs to find a way for their customers to have a way to get this information without having to post in a forum.

Thanks.

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

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Anonymous
2016-12-07T16:13:47+00:00

I think poor Girish has been beaten up enough.  If you carefully read his post and follow the link, http://commerce.microsoft.com/help , it does indeed take you to a very helpful site to resolve your issue, at least in 2016.

What you need to know:

  1. If you don't have an MS account created, create one.
  2. Save this account information (user name and password) so you don't have to go through this misery again.
  3. The email address you use doesn't have to be a Microsoft email address, feel free to use your standard address.
  4. If it was a retail purchase, know where you bought it and from what country.

What I found;

  1. Once on the help site
  2. Click on Manage Subscription
  3. Click on Manage My Microsoft Subscriptions
  4. Click on Contact Support
  5. On the Contact page, click Get Started
  6. Restate your problem, you'll get a bunch of stuff that's not useful.  In the chat box, scroll down and click on Talk to Someone.
  7. Surprisingly, you'll not have to restate your issue, just confirm that their understand is correct and proceed with the chat.

Just be prepared to answer what they ask and you should be good to go.

Worked for me,

Good luck

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65 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-23T19:19:44+00:00

    cant remember the email I used to install office

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-21T17:02:25+00:00

    Please supply me with my username/email so that I can retrieve my Microsoft Word.

    Thank you

    Ralph Winship

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-03T04:22:17+00:00

    This wasn't helpful. My problem is that I purchased Office 2013 through my company 3 or 4 years ago.  Outlook stopped working when I upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 10 so I ran a repair on it through Control Panel/Programs, I no longer have the product key and need to find it but I cannot because I don't remember the account information I used when I first purchased it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-29T16:11:06+00:00

    I cant remember my gmail address

    Steve,

    The accepted answer can still help you, maybe?  However, you might be stuck as Gmail will not give the address back if you don't know it yourself.  This make perfect sense due to security. 

    The the user interface has changed a little.  Changes to the processes are as follow:

    1. Click on the MS Support link here or in Best Answer post
    2. Once on landing page, look across the top menu bar and click on Support
    3. You'll be redirected to a new page
    4. Once on new landing page, look for Ask Virtual Agent and click
    5. A new chat window will pop up
    6. Submit your issue clearly and succinctly
    7. You'll get a bunch of FAQ's, scroll to the bottom
    8. Click on, speak to a person
    9. You'll get an option of a call or chat (it's your choice but I preferred chat)
    10. Someone will review your issue and confirm their understanding with you.
    11. Here's where patients is your friend, just answer the questions they ask and try not to clutter the process with unhelpful rants.

    Above all things, have everything you need ready and remember to be patient with the agent.  They didn't create the problemand they'll do everything they can to help you but there are limits.  The service has been really valuable to me in several cases, good luck!

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