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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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-05T06:23:14+00:00

    Dear Girish,

    I try the link to HELP in your answer, but takes my to "billing help"

    I would like to know the link to chat or phone help. I need to activate my office 2013, that I got been teacher at the university. I got a new computer and need to install the office.

    Summary:

    1. I have successfully installed the office 2013 software using the installation files I got when I brought it
    2. I used my university account to install it (it asked my account and password)
    3. Now is asking for ANOTHER account to ACTIVATE it. it asks for Microsoft Account...??? this I don't remember.

    Please help us to get this done. If you know a link to chat support or phone, I would really appreciate.

    I really hope Microsoft is not resctricting you to provide link to help to your customers. That would be unethical.

    Thank you in advance for you help!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-05T06:21:34+00:00

    Dear Greg,

    I try the link to HELP in your answer, but takes my to "billing help"

    I would like to know the link to chat or phone help. I need to activate my office 2013, that I got been teacher at the university. I got a new computer and need to install the office.

    Summary:

    1. I have successfully installed the office 2013 software using the installation files I got when I brought it
    2. I used my university account to install it (it asked my account and password)
    3. Now is asking for ANOTHER account to ACTIVATE it. it asks for Microsoft Account...??? this I don't remember.

    Please help us to get this done. If you know a link to chat support or phone, I would really appreciate.

    I really hope Microsoft is not resctricting you to provide link to help to your customers. That would be unethical.

    Thank you in advance for you help!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-30T15:36:53+00:00

    Instead of using the PURCHASED VERSION OF MICROSOFT OFFICE 2010, I think I will go ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD YOUR NEWEST OFFICE 2013. Since illegally downloading is so incredibally easy. I just have a good set of morals...until you **** me off. THANKS FOR THE FREE UPGRADE AND THE HUGE HEADACHE, Microsoft.

    I just thought I should let you know that I didn't illegally download your newest program. I found my disk in a cd binder in a box that hadn't been unpacked....I went through the entire installation with ZERO GLITCHES, and hey, I was even able to "skip" the online registration, like I have EVERY other time I had to re-install this software. So, I am still baffled as to what email my key is linked to...considering I have yet to "register online"

    I find it incredibly annoying that I had to do HOURS of searching for my disk because I was incapabable of just downloading a "trial" of the program or something.

    SO

    If, like me, you have come to this page to find out how to download the program because you can't find your disk OR remember the email used for online registration...you have a few options...

    1. Don't uninstall the program in the first place

    Too late for that option? Then...

    1. You can remember the email, that you either did or did not actually use
    2. If you don't remember your email, you can either

             a. Download the program Illegally

             b. Find your disk

             c. Remember your email, that you did or did not actually use

    ...Good Luck!

    And Microsoft,

    FIX YOUR IDIOTIC GLITCHES

    Much Love

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-29T15:57:28+00:00

    Your solution is just a bunch of circle talk, and I know circle talk. Your 'solution' didn't solve or explain anything that most people don't know.

    It is completely UNBELIEVABLE that your company is essentially stealing money from us buyers, which is REALLY sad. I purchased Microsoft Office 2010 four years ago, and I NEVER entered an email with registration, EVER. I do believe it was a "skip-able" step.....I have multiple email addresses, as I'm sure many people now have. BUT I only have ONE microsoft/hotmail account...and why it's not working, I have no idea. Apparently my key is registered to another email, and I'm not even sure how that's possible.

    This is the most unbelievable step in the downloading process. It is completely unneccessary and not relevant. Why do we have to sign in in order to just download the program? To prevent theft?

    Are you joking? Who are you trying to fool with that one? Because you're a BUNCH OF IDIOTS if you think that is going to stop people from downloading and using your product for free. The only people that process thwarts are the ones that BOUGHT YOUR PROGRAM. I, personally, am about ready to blow up my computer in fustration. SERIOUSLY.

    People are going to steal what they want to steal regardless of your little verification process...BUT people who just want to use the program they BOUGHT are stopped dead in their tracks.

    So thank you, microsoft. Instead of using the PURCHASED VERSION OF MICROSOFT OFFICE 2010,

    I think I will go ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD YOUR NEWEST OFFICE 2013. Since illegally downloading is so incredibally easy. I just have a good set of morals...until you **** me off.

    THANKS FOR THE FREE UPGRADE AND THE HUGE HEADACHE, Microsoft.

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