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
    2016-04-20T19:25:42+00:00

    This is ridiculous Microsoft. I know you want people to use your online services but you will drive away small business customers as we'll find other products to use. That's what we do, we don't have big budgets and we don't have time to mess around with your ridiculous activation process. I have 3 different live accounts fill of Office keys and no goddamned idea which key goes with what PC. Time to start looking at other options for general users.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-04-26T17:41:23+00:00

    It's crazy to see that MS didn't answer this topic yet or change things inside Office subscription.

    It's very easy to get what we want, I don't understand what's the problem...

    1. Just allow us to buy Office 2016 license without linking an account to the key, but only use the key to activate Office on a computer. Instead of going on the activation website and sign-in with MS account, just enter the key and download Office... After that when you re-enter the key, you can see which computer Office is installed and can decide to deactivate it.
    2. Allow to install Office 2016 on more than one computer (2 or 3).
    3. Allow features updates (why not 3-4 months after Office 365?)

    It's so easy!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-26T20:22:32+00:00

    I found a workaround. It's not the prettiest approach, yet it works.

    In my case, our office gets a boatload of Dell computers all pre-loaded with Office 365. Attempting to activate, for example, H&B 2016 will prompt to enter Microsoft account just like everyone else has reported.

    Instead, I activated only 1 license online with Microsoft and purchased a single installation DVD. I then completely remove Office 365 and install the Office using purchased installation DVD. The install from DVD has 2 options: sign-in using Microsoft account or skip. I choose the latter and this way I can activate multiple licenses without signing into my Microsoft account.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-04-26T20:52:32+00:00

    I found a workaround. It's not the prettiest approach, yet it works.

    In my case, our office gets a boatload of Dell computers all pre-loaded with Office 365. Attempting to activate, for example, H&B 2016 will prompt to enter Microsoft account just like everyone else has reported.

    Instead, I activated only 1 license online with Microsoft and purchased a single installation DVD. I then completely remove Office 365 and install the Office using purchased installation DVD. The install from DVD has 2 options: sign-in using Microsoft account or skip. I choose the latter and this way I can activate multiple licenses without signing into my Microsoft account.

    Nice find... But for me there was no DVD. No physical version where I live :(

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-04-27T06:15:15+00:00

    You should be able to burn the ISO to disc.

    If you need help finding an ISO, there is an option to download one, or I could provide you with one if you PM me.

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