This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Thanks. eM Client looks good. I'm going to try it on one of my computers with an Exchange Server account. That could complete the package for a complete non-MS Office, office. http://www.emclient.com/?lang=en is where to look.
Micah:
Yes, volume licenses are more expensive than retail licenses. But no, you do not have to "buy all at once". There is are a couple of tricks, quirks, in the volume license terms that most people are unaware of. First is that you only have to buy 5 licenses at a time to qualify for volume licensing. Second is even better. You don't have to buy 5 of the same license, ie 5 copies of Office, you can buy any mix of licenses available under volume licensing. So the trick is you get one (or more) copy of your required program(s) and fill out the 5 count with the cheapest software on the list. At one point it was US$5 for MS Maps. Third, after you make that initial 5 license purchase, you can buy more over the next year (possibly longer ... )
While the Office 365 applications are substantially the same as the Office 2016 products, the simple reality is that with any "upgrade" to a newer version of an application there is some training needed. Specifically for "new features" and relocated commands. And actually with Office 365 the need for training is greater because 365 starts with more applications and it is constantly adding small and large "new features" on a monthly basis. Small new features like new graphs in Excel, or big one like the change to grammar checking in Word or the addition of "Mix" to PowerPoint and the new parallel to PowerPoint called Sway. Plus there is all of the new training the Office Administrators need to effectively manage Office 365 using the new Portal application.
So the question becomes, yes the core office application features remain essentially the same and you can "get by" without doing any user training, but then you don't take effective advantage of the product you are paying for. Is this training for Office more expensive or complex than teaching them some lower (purchase) cost alternative bundle.
MC
I may be misunderstanding you but if I understand you correctly I do not see why you have a problem. If you are requested by a client to download and install Office 2013/2016 onto their computer all you need is the email address and password to the client's Microsoft Account they wish to associate with their Office. You can then download and install Office onto their computer using their email address and password to their Microsoft Account.
Having read my post I must be misunderstanding you?
If only this is so simple. But your description only works if there is ONLY ONE copy. If you have more in the same account, it isn't easy to tell which one has been activated and if you activate one that has already been activated, you get struck and have to remove and reinstall it all over again.
If you are installing multiple instances of Office using a single Microsoft Account you can differentiate which Office is installed on which computer.
Install using the Redemption Key in the normal way. Then login at the Office Account at: https://www.office.com/Myaccount Click on 'Install from disc' then on 'I have a disc' or any of the other options>On the right hand side you will see 'View your product key' click on it. This will reveal the actual Product Key (NOT the Redemption Key) for that Office. If you make not of the Product Key you will always be able to identify which Office you are dealing with.