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
    2017-03-02T08:52:57+00:00

    from the Dell rep on the laptops I am configuring:

    "Thanks for reaching out.  What I have spoken with my leadership and found is that Microsoft has a block on the activation.  They are the only one who can lift it.  It’s because of the over 25 activations.    Microsoft support is going to have to flag whitelist the IP address you are using to activate the systems you are working with."

    yay, flipping yay - good luck with that

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-02T08:54:32+00:00

    No, you can add up to 25 installation on one Office Account Office for Home and Business.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-02T09:02:16+00:00

    Yes, the limit is 25 activations for Office Home and Business.  Going back to when Office 2013 was first introduced Dell and other companies were installing OEM Office on their computers using their email address to setup Office.  The trouble was that the end user had no access to the Office Account and when the end user asked Microsoft for help they were referred back to Dell who referred them back to Microsoft.  I note now HP are installing Office 365 with a free years subscription.  Nice one get them all used to Office 365!!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-03-02T09:18:28+00:00

    uh, RonBarker, have you attempted this?

    NOT POSSIBLE

    I deal with a continuous stream of laptops to install this mess on and have tried EVERYTHING to get things done efficiently - I hit the IP limit and now have MORE problems

    again, from the Dell rep:

    "Thanks for reaching out.  What I have spoken with my leadership and found is that Microsoft has a block on the activation.  They are the only one who can lift it.  It’s because of the over 25 activations.    Microsoft support is going to have to flag whitelist the IP address your are using to activate the systems you are working with."

    This is stupid

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-03-02T09:30:12+00:00

    You can install up to 25 Home and Business Office retail version installations on One Office Account.  But you need to use one email address and password.

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