This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I manage IT services for several small businesses and periodically need to purchase new computers with Office. I just purchased a new Dell laptop with the OEM version of Office 2016 Home & Business. It will not let me activate it without adding it to a MS account.
I know this is a perennial question, beginning with Office 2013, that is a major headache for independent technical consultants that support small businesses, as I do. But I have never seen a solid answer as to how to get this installed on the computer without the MS account--just a lot of try this, try that. This is NOT Office 365, just Office H & B 2016!
I will not:
But I must have Office installed, activated, and updated before I give the system to my client. The activation dialog, in fact, gives me the option of using a product key instead of a login, but then proceeds to "Redeem Online"--which I believe will end up with the same result that requires a MS account.
At this point, I now have a bigger issue. I backed up the Program Data folder that contains the cached Office installation files, then uninstalled MS Office, hoping that a reinstall would give me some option to truly install without being forced to figure out a MS account for my client. The uninstallation removed the original setup folders. Good thing I backed it up, but then when I reinstall from any of those, it installs Office 2013, not Office 2016. And while it still validates the key when I click the option to use a key instead of a logon, it (as before) takes me to "Redeem Online".
Hello, Microsoft: this issue alone has just eliminated my entire profit from this project, given the time I have already spent trying to get this done, then uninstalling and attempting to reinstall.
I know there are versions that can be activated without a MS account, but I do not buy in bulk and can never seem to figure out which is which.
How do I get this installed for my client without being required to use a MS account?
Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Im in the same boat..Fed up with Microsoft strategy as they are pushing O365. The model doesn't our business model. Researching on alternative office solutions for clients..let us start something at changeorg or please recommend what is good libre or Google
Yes Russ indeed. Fortunately it seems we will not need to endure RonBarker's meandering and OP-irrelevant comments anymore as he has allegedly unsubscribed. You have summarised the OP's sentiment exactly. THAT is the issue with this thread.
Not trying to fan the flames... but no, you don't need an MS account to activate Office 2013 products. It may ask... but you don't need it. I continue to reinstall for clients to this day. The issue is for 2016 non-VL products which do require it and the trouble it has caused for both consultants and companies which own the software (not the employee) and of course subsequent reinstallation. As stated, that was the point of this thread.
You are simply WRONG. When Office 2013 was FIRST introduced it was possible to activate Office 2013 without using the end users email address and password for their Microsoft Account. This caused big problems and this forum evidence to that fact. The problem was that the end user could not access their Office Account and therefore could not reinstall their Office or do an online repair. This problem has now been fixed and you MUST use the email address and password for a Microsoft Account. However, it must be the end user's account otherwise they cannot access their Office Account.
Put very simply, if you do not use a Microsoft Account to setup Office 2013/2016 or Office 365 Home or Personal you cannot access the associated Office Account.
Yawn...seriously??? I did one yesterday. I am fortunate to have stocks of Various versions (retail/oem not VL versions obviously) of Office 2013 and let me assure you - I am able to install and re-install (on the same pc) WITHOUT an email account. When you start the installation you have the CHOICE to use a Microsoft Account OR enter a key. It is up to you. Would you like me to video an activation and re-installation for you so you will finally shut up about 2013?
The only issue one faces when using a KEY to activate Office 2013 is that you get the claim that the key has already been used when you attempt the activation. However as confirmed with Microsoft this is a bug and a phone activation, while a pain, works every time, for a first-time activation - or a re-activation on the same pc (in the case of the oem version).
Here for your viewing is what you see when you run, in this example, the installation for MS Office 2013 Home and Business: "Enter a Product Key Instead". This is the same for Standard and Pro versions...and let me guess (yawning a lot now)...I am still wrong Zzzzzzz
You are simply WRONG. When Office 2013 was FIRST introduced it was possible to activate Office 2013 without using the end users email address and password for their Microsoft Account. This caused big problems and this forum evidence to that fact. The problem was that the end user could not access their Office Account and therefore could not reinstall their Office or do an online repair. This problem has now been fixed and you MUST use the email address and password for a Microsoft Account. However, it must be the end user's account otherwise they cannot access their Office Account.
Put very simply, if you do not use a Microsoft Account to setup Office 2013/2016 or Office 365 Home or Personal you cannot access the associated Office Account.
PS: I too am unsubscribing to this thread.