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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.
Hi,
Can some one tell where to buy MS Office 2013 or 2016 with media?
I don't think it's available anymore. I have not been able to source any for a long time.
MS is really pushing 'the cloud". Part of that push is 365 and it's totally online download focus. Another part is doing everything they can to phase out the pay-once Office licenses and installation media.
If you wish, you now can download the "Full Offline" installer files for Office 2016, 2013 or Office 365 (all in 32 and/or 64 bit as you wish).
365 Offline Installer / 64 bit - **http://office.com/myaccount** Additional Install Options
365 MyAccount Additional Install Options.jpg
Office 365/2016 offline installer
If you need to install Office 365/2016 without an active Internet connection, or if you're having problems with slow speed or tenuous connections, you can download the offline installer file and then install Office 2016 at your convenience.
On the My Account page, choose Install.
Choose Language and install options.
Choose Additional install options.
Choose Download offline installer.
After you see a prompt to open or save the offline installer file, choose your preferred option.
If you choose Open, the file will download. Once the download is complete, you'll see a new virtual drive D that contains the Office installation files.
Note If you already have another drive labeled D, Office will create a virtual drive with the next available letter.
If you choose Save, you can specify where you'd like the image (.IMG) file to be saved. For example, you can save it to your desktop or to a USB drive. On Windows 10 and Windows 8 machines, you can open the file directly. If you use Windows 7, you'll need to copy the image file to a disc before you can open the file and continue to step 6.
Launch setup.exe to begin the offline installation. When you see the message, You're all set, you can now access your Office applications.
The first time you run one of your Office applications, you'll receive a prompt asking you to enter your product key to activate the product. Since you already have a Microsoft account that's associated with Office, choose Sign in with an active account instead.
Enter your email address, and then choose Next.
Note Make sure the email address and Microsoft account you use is the same one you used previously.
Enter the email address and password associated with your Microsoft account, and then choose Sign in to start using Office.
For more information about installing Office, see Download and install Office 365 Home, Personal, or University on your PC.
Offline install files for Office 2013 or Office 2016 one-time purchase
Looking for Office 365 help?: How do I use the Office 2016 offline installer for Office 365?
If you made a one-time purchase of Office 2013 or Office 2016 (not a subscription to Office 365), you can download the install files directly to your computer.
Important Downloading the install files can take quite a while. Please be sure your computer stays powered on and connected to the Internet while downloading.
Sign in to your My Account page.
Choose Install from a disc.
Choose I want to burn a disc, and then choose Download.
Save the installation file to your computer and then run it to install Office.
Applies To: Office 2013, Office 2016
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 wish, you now can download the "Full Offline" installer files for Office 2016, 2013 or Office 365 (all in 32 and/or 64 bit as you wish).
Good advice. This still requires linking Office to an MS account. This brings to mind another question. Office 2013 originally required installation on one PC for life. Later, after much complaining, MS changed the licensing to allow uninstallation and reinstallation on a different PC after at least 90 days unless the hardware went bad and forced a reinstall sooner. Does anyone know the status of Office 2016 licensing? Is it linked to the PC for only 90 days or did they go back to their hard core stance that it is linked to the PC for life? I would presume volume licensing is immune to these limitations, but.....
I have not seen anything specific about changes to MS Office license terms for 2016. I have not read the 2016 license. You have 2016, so you can look at it.
I have not seen an online download link for the 2016 license. I have found links to 2007 and 2010 licenses.