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
    2016-04-14T09:57:48+00:00

    I have heard of a number of businesses that are creating a single MS Account and activating them against this account and keeping an internal record of which PC has which license installed. While this is not the way the MS intended it to happen, businesses have to work in an appropriate and manageable way for their business and not just follow the "luddite" approach of some large corporate that has lost touch with its core client base.

    What would be nice to is that MS would listen to its clients and partners and make changes which would make management of OEM license much simpler. The fear is that MS is looking to kill the OEM model moving forward which will pave the way for a choice of either Office 365 or Volume/Open Should that be the case then I think we will start to see end-users and resellers looking for practical alternatives to the Office Suite. Given the nature of supply and demand, we will see a suitable replacement come to market.

    Like I say, would be nice if MS were listening but somehow I doubt that will come to pass.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-09T08:39:07+00:00

    I would like to vote for this as one of the must useless, counterproductive and possibly a little insulting answers of all time. 

    It simultaneously claims to understand and demonstrate the opposite. 

    All it shows is the lack of understanding and respect that Big IT has for small businesses and the IT people like us who support them.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-09T08:13:41+00:00

    I chased down a link to MS's original legal submission, on this page:

    https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-sues-pirating-comcast-subscriber-160229/

    MS is chasing a business that was selling computers with "activated" copies of Windows and Office on them.

    This is a totally different issue than the subject of the original posting.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-03-09T02:22:54+00:00

    It's interesting that Microsoft couldn't do much to to stop such unlawful mass activation.

    Microsoft goes after pirates who allegedly activated 'thousands of copies' of Windows, Office

    http://www.computerworld.com/article/3041857/enterprise-applications/microsoft-goes-after-pirates-who-allegedly-activated-thousands-of-copies-of-windows-office.html

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-03-08T23:11:16+00:00

    I have added my opinion Nic727.

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