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. You are right, we don't have any of those around here. Oh well, I'll chalk it up as another retailer ...
oh holy hell
anyone else not being able to see product keys in the 'install from disc' option?
arrrrrggggghhhhhh -
There appears to be something wrong with how your Office Account is set out. As it is set out you should be able to see your product key by clicking on the orange rectangle with YOUR PRODUCT KEY IS: on it.
Also, in the passed the orange rectangle was not there. To see your product key you had to click on 'I have a disk' or any of the other options. This revealed an orange rectangle with VIEW YOUR PRODUCT KEY: on it.
Note: this is not the redemption key provided by the vendor so that you can redeem your Office from:
I would suggest that you try updating your Office>File>Account>Office updates>Update now
This continues to be a nightmare for Business customers, MSP's, It providers, OEM's, IT techs, etc. This model of licensing has abandoned business customers and has wasted Hours of our time. I am no longer recommending Microsoft office products to my customers. Their are viable and free alternatives out there now. Microsoft's own techs do not understand this process and cannot fix it when their is an issue. I have spent hours on thw phone with MS License techs that cannot fix problems with activation, and play the pass the blame game, passing it on to another department. Were are then let with Useless licenses activated to who knows what account that nobody can seem to make work. I've had it, and I'm done wasting my time with this product where possible.
DY Please excuse me if this suggestion is of no use. If the customer will not provide the email address and password so that you can create an Office Account which they can access; then you could use an email address and password of your choice. Once you have done that you can access the Office Account and download Office onto a DVD and at the same time take a copy of the actual Product Key from the Office Account. Then the customer can use that to reinstall Office if needed in the future. Cheers