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
    2016-05-16T14:26:59+00:00

    Resistance is Futile...We are Microsoft.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-16T14:44:20+00:00

    After Many Months of frustration I have given up on OEM licensing. I simply ask the OEM to purchase me X amount of Office licenses via the Microsoft Volume Licensing Center. (Dell does this  no issues) I can now download and install Office to any number of PC's without a problem.

    Hope this helps someone!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-16T16:17:35+00:00

    If all these computers stay within the same company you should be fine. If all these computers are going to different customers of yours then you will have problems. If your customers have problems with MS Office, they will not be able to go Microsoft for support because it is registered with you (not your customer). As an example if Office registration gets corrupt (which is likely) on one of these computers and they need to reactivate through the Microsoft website, they will need to provide the Microsoft account the activation is tied to. Some people have taken to doing what you mention here and tell their customer they get MS Office, but if it ever gets messed up, the customer will need to purchase another one copy directly through the Microsoft store and use their own Microsoft account.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-16T16:46:46+00:00

    But at what additional cost?

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-05-16T17:21:24+00:00

    NOT HELPFUL FOR SMALL MANAGEMENT FIRMS.

    I just spoke with Dell and we pay $229 for Office Home and Business 2016. The volume license equivalent would be about $370.00 for Office Standard(includes Word, PowerPoint Excel Outlook and One note). Which is a load of **** considering we have purchased 800+ license over the last few years. But, you get centralized management. Now if i can get my money back on the last thirty licenses.

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