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.
This activation process sucks. I do not want to associate a Microsoft LIVE ID with Office. Microsoft forcing everyone into integrating other services like OneDrive and other ****. WE DON'T WANT IT. We want to activate the product and use it as we always have.
I work for an IT company and I've been having the same issues as everybody else when installing Office2016 for a client. I'm trying to activate Office2016 by creating a new Microsoft account for a client, but I get to message saying "Office is not associated account". I really rather create a new Microsoft account for the client and activate it that way. If anybody have a solution for installing office2016 this way, please let me know.
I work for an IT company and I've been having the same issues as everybody else when installing Office2016 for a client. I'm trying to activate Office2016 by creating a new Microsoft account for a client, but I get to message saying "Office is not associated account". I really rather create a new Microsoft account for the client and activate it that way. If anybody have a solution for installing office2016 this way, please let me know.
Hi, you should know that this error indicates someone else has already activated Office with your Product Key. I had this same issue, and had to contact Dell to ship me a new Product Key. I attempted to call Microsoft and they simply didn't care and had no suggestions other than call the vendor who sold me the product Key. After, they already made their money when the sold the key to the vendor.
Good Luck!
Hi, you should know that this error indicates someone else has already activated Office with your Product Key. I had this same issue, and had to contact Dell to ship me a new Product Key. I attempted to call Microsoft and they simply didn't care and had no suggestions other than call the vendor who sold me the product Key. After, they already made their money when the sold the key to the vendor.
As I said, it looks like someone is pilfering the product key information on the key cards from Dell and allowing the cards to be sent to the end customer. When it arrives, it can't be activated because someone else already activated it. Dell had the same problem with the Windows product key stickers on their PCs so they began to ship them without the stickers.
I came up with some good solutions and someone suggested I present them to Microsoft. The problem with that is Microsoft does not care. It is the vendor's issue. I would have to be able to get the ear of someone who really cared at Dell to present the suggestion. That is nearly impossible. But, if anyone has any suggestions on how to reach someone at Dell who cares and can do something, let me know!
In the meantime, the solution to the problem of receiving valid, unregistered Office product keys seems very clear. Go to other reliable sources, like Newegg.com, and purchase Office. The keys are sent through email in a short amount of time and they are always valid. This does not solve the initial problem of having to register the product key with a Microsoft account - that problem still exists.
I am both a small business owner and an IT professional. I am having the same problem with two newly created workstations for my small business. I have voiced this issue with the VP of my day job's IT department. He just placed his project to explore Office2016 on hold.