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
    2016-02-08T18:15:20+00:00

    Nic727:

    I understood that English was not your first language. I suggest that you write it in your native language, then have it translated. At this time I won't take on the responsibility of this petition, however I do have some suggestions which may be helpful.

    I suggest that you avoid making a list of demands and concentrate more on asking Microsoft to consider the opinions of, and actively engage in, a dialog with the IT community with respect to Microsoft Office licensing. In this way, you avoid immediately shutting down negotiations with Microsoft with a list of demands, and rather focus on opening a dialog with them. Once we get Microsoft talking to the IT community, then we can get somewhere.

    Hope this helps, and I hope other IT people in this community will also help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T18:25:12+00:00

    Thank you.

    Will look into that this evening.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T18:28:13+00:00

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T19:03:00+00:00

    Hmm...

    i think I will just delete the petition. Complaining in the forum and using uservoice is better.

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T19:14:57+00:00

    Hmm...

    i think I will just delete the petition. Complaining in the forum and using uservoice is better.

    I think this is the mistake we are all making.  Microsoft has no incentive to listen to anyone.  It's called a Monopoly.  The only way to resolve this is not by complaining, but by talking with our wallets.  There needs to be an initiative by programmers of customized software to decrease reliance on Office suites, and to allow the same functionality with LibreOffice and the like.

    Another kicker is Outlook. For any of us that use Exchange/Office 365, there is no desktop client equivalent.  Microsoft knows this and they are twisting our arms to do what they want.  Why do we think complaining will help?

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