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
    2017-01-03T20:28:19+00:00

    Office 2013 and Office 2016 one time purchases are associated with a Microsoft Account in order to protect against piracy and breach of copyright, while at the same time providing the licence owner with the ability to reinstall their Office multiple times directly from Microsoft easily and safely.

    If an employee leaves the company, how can the company owner be sure that the Office license stays in the company?

    In this case, the small business owner is concerned about an employee who redeemed and activated the license, left the company and could potentially keep the Office 2013 perpetual license (FPP).

    This topic is more related to the small business policy and their internal rules so Microsoft does not provide guidance on it. It’s the company’s choice to manage any of the products, services and licenses purchased for their employees. Here is a suggestion which we think can help a small business owner manage the Office 2013 perpetual licenses that they purchased and own: The small business owner can create his/her own "company" Microsoft Account to use and activate the Office 2013 perpetual licenses. The employee will still be able to sign in with their own Microsoft Account and use the product but the license will appear under the "company" Microsoft Account.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-03T20:55:02+00:00

    Office 2013 and Office 2016 one time purchases are associated with a Microsoft Account in order to protect against piracy and breach of copyright, while at the same time providing the licence owner with the ability to reinstall their Office multiple times directly from Microsoft easily and safely.

    If an employee leaves the company, how can the company owner be sure that the Office license stays in the company?

    In this case, the small business owner is concerned about an employee who redeemed and activated the license, left the company and could potentially keep the Office 2013 perpetual license (FPP).

    This topic is more related to the small business policy and their internal rules so Microsoft does not provide guidance on it. It’s the company’s choice to manage any of the products, services and licenses purchased for their employees. Here is a suggestion which we think can help a small business owner manage the Office 2013 perpetual licenses that they purchased and own: The small business owner can create his/her own "company" Microsoft Account to use and activate the Office 2013 perpetual licenses. The employee will still be able to sign in with their own Microsoft Account and use the product but the license will appear under the "company" Microsoft Account.

    Hi Ron,

    Is this also true for Office 2016?

    Would the small company need a separate account for each computer? Lets say the small business had 30 computers.

    Rob

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-03T22:04:50+00:00

    As far as I know yes it is the same for one time purchases of Office Home and Business 2016. However, as I understand it the maximum is 25 instances of Office is the limit.

    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 a note of the Product Key you will always be able to identify which Office you are dealing with

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-01-03T22:11:06+00:00

    What’s the maximum number of Office Home & Business 2013 licenses I can activate using the same Microsoft Account?

    Office Home & Business 2013 is designed for small businesses with low IT needs and up to 25 users so the customer can activate up to 25 licenses using the same Microsoft Account. For larger companies, Volume Licensing offerings are a better option as it includes deployment tools for volume activations. Customers with activation issues can contact Microsoft customer support for additional help.

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