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
    2015-12-05T14:46:03+00:00

    I wish I would have seen this thread a month ago, I'd have never purchased Office 2016 for my customer.  So is it safe to say after 2 months Microsoft is still not providing its small business consultants a proper method of installing Office 2016 without adding it to an existing or creating a new MS account?  This is just unacceptable and I will NOT be purchasing or installing anymore versions Office 2016 for any of my customers.  It looks like Office Libre and a new mail client will become the new normal in small business environments.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-09T18:57:53+00:00

    New issue on the same subject.

    I purchased 14 laptops from Dell with Office 2016 H&B. Once the laptops arrived I knew I would just use a default email service account for registering all licenses. However seems Dell pre-activated them to another email account per Microsoft directions. This I have 14 unusable laptops since December 1st. I have contacted both Dell and Microsoft and since I don't know the email accounts and their associated passwords the Office licenses are worthless and the Laptops too as my users need Office but Might be looking another direction soon to remove the dependency.

    Dell as of Monday, December 7th. gave me a new replacement license for 1 of the 14 laptops but Microsoft when called tell's me it's Dell's issue. One guy at Microsoft started to assist me but we lost the call and not sure why they ask for a number to call me back at if they don't call back.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-09T19:59:44+00:00

    I purchased 14 laptops from Dell with Office 2016 H&B. Once the laptops arrived I knew I would just use a default email service account for registering all licenses. However seems Dell pre-activated them to another email account per Microsoft directions. This I have 14 unusable laptops since December 1st. I have contacted both Dell and Microsoft and since I don't know the email accounts and their associated passwords the Office licenses are worthless and the Laptops too as my users need Office but Might be looking another direction soon to remove the dependency.

    Lowell, are you sure *Dell* preactivated them?  Dell told you that?  I have never heard of Dell doing that.  If they *were* preactivated, then Office should just work on the PCs out of the box.  It could be you are getting one of the famous Dell reps who have no idea what they are talking about.  There seem to be a lot of them.  

    What it sounds like is that someone *stole* the Office product activation codes and activated them on someone else's PCs.  As I mentioned in previous posts, Dell used to have problems with people opening PC boxes that were shipped, copying the Windows activation code, and then using that code to activate Windows on other PCs.  They would re-seal the shipped PC box and then it would arrive at customers who had no idea the activation code was stolen.  Dell must combat this current issue by offering the Office Product Activation code to the legitimate buyer through a web portal when the legitimate buyer logs in to their website.  They must cease to send the Product Key Cards with the PCs.  But someone at Dell who is able to implement this needs to be willing to listen.  Others tell us to report these things to Microsoft, but this is not a Microsoft issue.  This is a Dell issue in this case.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-13T11:50:36+00:00

    I had Office 2013 installed on my computer when i bought it. Recently i was asked to update my office products online. i did so, it went well for few days. Now when i start my Word 2016, it asks me to reactivate, which i don't know how to do. Please help me in this regard.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-12-13T17:58:48+00:00

    hanifmemon

    You really should post this as a new question rather than "me-tooing" on a long running existing question.

    Is there an upgrade to Windows 10 included in this problem?

    Exactly which Office 2013 and 2016 bundles are you talking about?

    Go to the Control panel > Programs and Features.  Check to see if you really do have more than one version of Office installed.  If you have 2016 and 2013 install, you will have to uninstall the 2013 and then you MUST do an Office Repair of the remaining 2016.

    Uninstall Office 2013 / 365 / 2016

    https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Uninstall-Office-2013-or-Office-365-from-a-Windows-computer-9dd49b83-264a-477a-f8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US – ‘new” uninstall 365/2016/2013 page

    Repair Office 2016 / 2013 / 365

    https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b  How to Start Repair in Pictures Win 7-10

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/wiki/office_365hp-office_install/repair-office-365-in-

    pictures/f09d64b7-cfcc-4d07-be0b-0c429682d01a?tm=1405256665011  Repair Office 365 in Pictures

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