Install Office 2016 OEM without Live account

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

2016-12-03T15:49:41+00:00

The whole reason using a MS account is bad because of RonBarkers comment, home users often install it themselves, but most business users do not.

Their consultant or in house technicians are forced to create a account or use their own. Then when it comes time to reinstall it's tied to a forgotten or someone else's account.

Office 365 has the same caveat.

There is no technical reason the lock the software to any one account other than greed-control.

Before anyone gets to mad this is common, Apple and Google do this too.

I just steer customers to libre office, other than a few exotic features or Outlook libre office is more than capable of handling what they need to do on a daily basis. When I install it I simply set the default file format to either 2003 or 2007 file formats according to the customers preferances.

I will give credit that MS office is slightly more stable if you ignore Outlook...
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Anonymous

2016-12-03T16:04:10+00:00

Hi DS

I did read the original post and respond to it. If there are other questions maybe they should be split off to start another thread.

The problem goes back to before Office 2013 came onto the market. Microsoft had a big problem with piracy. When they introduced Office 2013 a new security system was introduced. That is, during the installation process Office 2013 was, and still is, connected to the person's Microsoft email and password. This created another problem because purchasers did not always use the email address and password for their Microsoft Account and when they had problems they could not use online repair and could not install a fresh version of Office 2013 from their Office Account, which is created when Office is first installed using the email address and password for their Microsoft Account. Microsoft very late in the day the install process so that you must now use the email address and password for a Microsoft Account to install Office 2013/2016.
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Anonymous

2016-12-03T16:29:13+00:00

There is no technical reason the lock the software to any one account other than greed-control.

The only reason Microsoft links Office to a Microsoft Account is for security purposes. The plus side for customers is that they can reinstall their Office 2013/2016 as many times as they desire.

For any IT person working for a company: Microsoft Allow 25 installations of Office Home and Business (at least they did with Office 2013) using one Microsoft Account. I note the comment by one of the other posters re not knowing which Office installation belongs to which computer. You can get round this problem by noting the actual Product Key (Not to be confused with the Redemption Key). You can obtain the Product Key by logging in at the Office Account at: https://www.office.com/Myaccount Click on 'Install from disc'>Then on 'I have a disc' or one of the other options>You will now see 'View Your Product Key. Click on it to reveal the actual product key for the Office installation. You can they note which one belongs to which computer.
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Anonymous

This is an extract from a document provided just after Office 2013 was introduced:

This document is intended to help Resellers understand the redemption, installation and activation experience for the new Microsoft Office for Consumers, Students and Small Businesses. This document covers Full Package Products (FPP) and DOEM Office products (excluding Office 365 Small Business Premium)."

IMPORTANT: When activating Office, it is critical that the Microsoft Account be uniquely owned and accessible by the end customer. It will be the customer’s key to re-install Office in the future and access Office online services. For subscription, end customers cannot use Office until they have redeemed Office with a Microsoft Account on Office.com/setup, and are signed in. It is critical to guide end customers through the process to ensure redemption, installation and activation.

How do I install and activate Office Home & Business 2013 on behalf of the customer?

Step 1: Download and install Office at Office.com/setup. The customer will need to enter their Microsoft Account information (email address and password). Step 2: Activate Office using the same Microsoft account **IMPORTANT:**The Microsoft account must be uniquely owned and accessible by the end customer. It will be the customer’s key to re-install Office in the future and access Office online services. End customers cannot use their Office subscription until they have redeemed Office with a Microsoft account on Office.com/setup, and signed in. It is critical to guide end customers through the process to ensure activation.

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Anonymous

2016-12-03T20:28:08+00:00

The problem goes back to before Office 2013 came onto the market. Microsoft had a big problem with piracy.

Just don't be surprised that more and more customers are inclined to use free software, which have no problems with piracy at all..
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