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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.
Not true. Maybe that's what the guide says but in practice we hit about 5 licenses... and we install a lot of Office copies every month.
Actually, you can activate 25 (or more) licenses/product Keys on the same email account. But it is not a good idea.
**Office 2016 / 2013/365 Installation and Activation Guide & FAQ**with Pictures - Specifically says you can activate 25 licenses on a single ID
If you do use a "generic" account to activate multiple product key, MAKE SURE you keep track of the product key and the computer ID (serial number) it was installed on! This is vital if you have to re-install Office on that computer after re-installing Windows! Yes, you can look in MyAccount, but will only show you the last 5 char of the key, sorted alphabetically (not in activation order) and no association with a specific computer.
If you can purchase 2013 with the disc then good. If you purchase it from the Microsoft store with no media provide, the activation is exactly the same as Office 2016... you will need a Microsoft account and you will be limited to about 5 Office licenses per Microsoft account.
Very good thread. Also note when you create a Microsoft account you will only we able to activate up to about 5 MS Office license to that account, then you will need to create another MS account to activate more licenses. In addition the retail, non-media (if you don't have the disk) licenses of Office 2013 require you to create an MS account. My company provides PC to customers in addition to equipment we manufacture and have been using MS Office since if came out. I suspect this whole licencing issues is intended to push everyone to Office 365. I'm applying whatever pressure I can to move our company away from Office over the next year.
I see I can still purchase 2013, so I am planning to buy it rather than 2016. It does not look like Microsoft has plans to back down from requiring an account for activation, and that is a problem when you have highly restricted internet access. Royal pain.