Install Office 2016 OEM without Live account

Anonymous
2015-10-07T18:12:57+00:00

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:

  • Add it to my MS account, or it will be forever stuck to me--which is inappropriate, since I will not own the computer or software once I am paid for the system by my client.
  • Make my client set up a MS account just for this.
  • Pry into my client's information to get his MS account information (if he even has one).

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?

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

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-10T18:40:25+00:00

    DY, I do understand, but most people on this thread want to install Office without using the end users Microsoft Account and Office 2013 and 2016 is not designed for that to happen because the end user has no access their Office Account created by using the email address and password for a Microsoft Account.  See HERE

    This document is intended to help Resellers understand the redemption, installation and activation experience for the new Microsoft Office for Consumers, Students and Small Businesses. This document covers Full Package Products (FPP) and DOEM Office products (excluding Office 365 Small Business Premium).

     IMPORTANT:  When activating Office, it is critical that the Microsoft Account be uniquely owned and accessible by the end customer. It will be the customer’s key to re-install Office in the future and access Office online services.  For subscription, end customers cannot use Office until they have redeemed Office with a Microsoft Account on Office.com/setup, and are signed in. It is critical to guide end customers through the process to ensure redemption, installation and activation.

    PS: I only posted this reply because I saw the thread at the top of the answer forum. I am not on the mailing list so please do not respond, well you can if you wish but I will not be responding to your reply,  I have been insulted too many times.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-10T15:12:49+00:00

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-02-09T17:10:13+00:00

    Ron

       You obviously have had no field experience with this at all and miss the point of this thread completely. There are so many issues with this product it's insane. It has wasted hours and hours of my time to the point I refuse to deal with it anymore and I either use an alternate product, I use Appriver to sell 365 pro plus, or I advise the clients they will either pay by the hour for me to support it or will need to call MS themselves. I say good luck with that because MS cannot even support it themselves and they sometimes want an astronomical fee to even open a case. There are endless issues with installation, activation.

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