Activate or renew your Microsoft Office subscription from Office Live
The following information can help you activate or renew the Microsoft Office system subscription you purchased from Microsoft Office Live. For troubleshooting information, visit the Support site.In this article
How do I activate my Microsoft Office subscription?
How do I activate at a later time?
How can I tell whether my subscription has already been activated?
When can I renew my Microsoft Office subscription?
What is Activation?
To continue to use all of the features of your product, you must activate the product. Microsoft Product Activation is a Microsoft anti-piracy technology designed to verify that software products are legitimately licensed.
Activation works by verifying that the Product Key, which you must supply to install the product, is not in use on more personal computers than are permitted by the software license.
How do I activate my Microsoft Office subscription?
When you start your Office program for the first time after installation, you are prompted to enter your Product Key, if you have not already done so during Setup.
Grace period Before you enter a valid Product Key, you can run the software up to 25 times. This is known as the grace period. During the grace period, certain features or programs may be enabled that are not included in the product you have purchased. After you enter a valid Product Key, you will see only the programs and features you have purchased.
Reduced Functionality mode After the grace period, if you have not entered a valid Product Key, the software goes into Reduced Functionality mode. In Reduced Functionality mode, your software behaves similarly to a viewer. You cannot save modifications to documents or create new documents, and functionality might be reduced. No existing files or documents are harmed in Reduced Functionality mode. After you enter your Product Key and activate your software, you will have full functionality for the programs and features you purchased.
Activate over the Internet or by phone
When you enter your valid Product Key, the Activation Wizard automatically runs. The Activation Wizard gives you two choices on how to proceed:
- Activate by using the Internet The Activation Wizard automatically contacts the Microsoft licensing servers through your Internet connection. If you are using a valid Product Key that has not already been used for the allowed number of installations, your product is activated immediately.
When you activate through the Internet, your product ID (derived from the installation Product Key) is sent to Microsoft through an encrypted transfer. A response (the confirmation ID) is sent back to your computer to activate your product. If you choose to activate your product through the Internet and you are not already connected, the wizard alerts you that there is no connection.
-
Activate by using the telephone You can telephone an Activation Center and activate your product with the help of a customer service representative.
Telephone activation might take longer than activation through the Internet. You should be at your computer when you call, and you should have your software Product Key available. Telephone numbers for Activation Centers vary by product license and country/region. Use the number provided on your Activation Wizard screen to call the Microsoft Activation Center.
Important Activation Center numbers are not listed in this article because there are many numbers, and the correct number for you is based on several factors. Microsoft software can be obtained under various licenses, including individual retail licenses, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licenses, and volume licenses. Telephone contact numbers vary by license and country/region. In step 2 of the Activation Wizard, use the number provided to call the Microsoft Activation Center.
- In the Activation Wizard, select the country/region where you reside and where you are planning to use the product.
The wizard provides one or more telephone numbers.
- Call the Activation Center.
The customer service representative asks you for your installation ID (displayed on your screen) and other relevant information. After your installation ID is verified, you receive a confirmation ID.
- In the Activation Wizard, type the confirmation ID in the spaces provided at the bottom of the screen, and then press ENTER.
Notes:
- Microsoft Text Telephone (TT/TTY) services are available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. In the United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (800) 718-1599. From outside the United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (716) 871-6859. TT/TTY service is only available in English.
- In the Activation Wizard, select the country/region where you reside and where you are planning to use the product.
How do I activate at a later time?
If you don't want to activate your copy of the software when you install it, you can activate it later.
- Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office system programs:
Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word
- Click the
Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Program Name Options.
- Click
Resources, and then clickActivate.
InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Project, SharePoint Designer, or Visio
- On the
Helpmenu, clickActivate Product.
- Click the
- Follow the instructions in the Activation Wizard.
If you have a problem with your activation, contact a customer service representative by using the telephone number provided in the wizard.
How can I tell whether my subscription has already been activated?
- Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office system programs:
Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word
- Click the
Microsoft Office Button, and then click Program Name Options.
- Click
Resources, and then clickActivate.
InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Project, SharePoint Designer, or Visio
- On the
Helpmenu, clickActivate Product.
- Click the
If your software is already activated, you receive the following confirmation message:This product has already been activated.
If your software is not already activated, the Activation Wizard starts and leads you through the activation process.
When can I renew my Microsoft Office subscription?
As long as you keep your subscription up to date, the Office release continues to function normally. If you let your subscription expire, the Activation Wizard prompts you to renew your subscription each time you start the product. Renewing doesn't require you to reactivate the subscription by using a new Product Key; it only requires you to make a payment on the Microsoft Office Live site. In the Activation Wizard, click Renew to go to the Microsoft Office Live site, where you can follow the instructions to renew your subscription. After you make your payment, the next time that you start Office, your subscription is automatically renewed.
If you choose not to renew your subscription, the Office release continues to run, but in Reduced Functionality mode. In Reduced Functionality mode, your software behaves similarly to a viewer. You cannot save modifications to existing documents or create new documents, and other functionality might also be reduced. No existing files or documents are harmed in Reduced Functionality mode, however, and full functionality resumes as soon as you renew your subscription.
