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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.
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Actually, I use Office 2010, although I have rights through the Action Pack to install 2016. Some of my clients have Office 2016. I'll have to read through the license on their PCs some time.
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I just got off the phone with Office "Up and Running" support and they directed me to the option in the activation window that allows activation with the product key. I informed him that when I choose that option, I am given only the option to "Redeem Online" which, of course, requires a Microsoft Account. I have multiple keys, all from the same retail shop and so far seven of them have activated without issue, but the others are requiring an account. Once I mentioned this he confirmed that if I am receiving the "Redeem Online" option after entering the product key, then there is no other option and Microsoft is requiring an account. Case # is 1319648800. If anyone reads this and is aware of a different solution that does not require and account for activation, please reply to this entry.
Thanks!
Seems like the only way to activate office 2016. MS account.
After long research, getting to this conclusion made me very sad.
Has anyone found a solution to this problem? I called MS and was transferred about 5 different times, then put on hold for 30 min and no one ever returned. I am an onsite tech who sets up the pcs for my company. We buy over 100 pcs at a time from Dell with MS office. It will not let me activate office without signing into my MS account, and then after doing that for 15 or so pcs, it told me I have too many activations on my account and wouldn't let me do anymore. My company made a generic email address so that I can set up more, but it will soon run out of activations allowed too. Then remembering if the office was activated with my ID or the generic later on when office will inevitably need reinstalled will be a pain on top of everything else.