In the third case, you won’t receive a product key.

It will be in this format: “XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX”. If you’ve never looked for it, the product key is underneath the silver foil coating you must scratch off. In the first two cases, Microsoft prints the product key below the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker on the box or the card, but above the bar code. Microsoft Office subscription was bundled with the purchase of a computer.This is typical for newer Microsoft Office versions, 2013 and later. This is common for versions older than Office 2013. I bought Office as a box with a CD/DVD inside.Look for the Microsoft Office product key offlineįirst, let us ask you this, “how did you acquire the key?” These 3 are common answers: SPLA: mostly provided by MSPs for RDS licensing, can be reassigned.1. Technically license is married to the tin on which it is installed but it should activate 3-4 times allowing limited transfer to new users. Volume Licensing (and all the variations thereof): One key for your org, can be reassigned so long as you don't have more active installations as the number of licenses you bought.įPP/OEM: Stuff like Office365 Home and Business, you get a little key card which you need to keep.

Office365 Business: activation is linked to a user account in Office365, can be reassigned. If your MSP was using throwaway live accounts you most likely have a bigger issue in that you are using consumer grade Office365 which is a big no no according to Microsoft, see 'non commercial use' note on the boxĮdit: Licensing office for business you have the following options: If you don't have the license card (assuming FPP) or a VL key you will need to buy a new license anyway as an activated product without proof of ownership wont pass an audit. There isn't and shouldn't be wasting any of your time trying to do so.

Office 2013 product key recovery tool