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

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.

0 comments

515 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-02T07:16:46+00:00

    RonBaker is attempting to square a circle. How is this a security enhancement when this is registering company license to individual employee email account such that they take away company license when they resign for another company?

    No, I am not a company can use a company Microsoft Account to register up to 25 retail versions  (One-time-payments) of Office Home and Business.  Using a Microsoft Account IS a security measure.  Not only is a security measure it also creates an Office Account from where Office can be reinstalled at any time.  I don't how I have started getting email alerts for this thread I will have to remove the email alert again.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-02T01:59:17+00:00

    RonBaker is attempting to square a circle. How is this a security enhancement when this is registering company license to individual employee email account such that they take away company license when they resign for another company?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-01T22:03:58+00:00

    "I understand perfectly well what problem people are having..." - No, apparently you don't and no one here is trying to circumvent security features at all.  The problem this has created for not just small users but also businesses of all sizes is the issue.  My company is an international chemical company and it has been a nightmare since the required MS account has been added.

    As far as the crack about "techs" - I've been in IT for close to 20 years professionally as a technician and programmer, have degrees in Chemistry and Computer Science and have numerous MS certs along the way as well.  You can take your trite and snarky attitude and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

    The fact the you argue with these guys the way you do tells me you don't actually get what the root cause of their frustrations are... period.  You can retort all you want, I'm done responding to you at this point because... well... with a person like you it's pointless.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-01T21:56:56+00:00

    How do we deprive our customers the right to reinstall when we handle all of this for them.  That just doesn't make any sense.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2018-02-01T21:55:43+00:00

    If I understand you correctly! Microsoft cannot do anything about your " internet usage". Creating a Microsoft Account is a very low usage task.

    That is where I got internet usage from.  As for this issue it looks like we may have to move to another solution (ie. volume license like you state) due to Microsoft breaking how you activate a product beyond repair.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments