Recalling lengthy activation codes can be quite the task, right? Microsoft Office codes, often 25 characters long, stand testament to this. Misplaced that key while setting up Office on a different computer? Don’t worry, this guide will show you diverse methods to uncover your Microsoft Office key.
Strategies to Uncover Your Microsoft Office Activation Key
Migrated from Sheets to Excel and uninstalled Office in the process? If you’ve found yourself without the key, here’s a detailed breakdown of ways to reclaim it.
Email Receipts or Physical Stickers: Your Initial Go-To
Purchased Office online? Your inbox holds the key, quite literally. Scan your emails for an Office purchase receipt. A quick pro-tip: Spam folders sometimes harbor such mails, so don’t skip those.
If you received your Office suite with a new computer or laptop, chances are the product key resides on its Certificate of Authenticity. Moreover, user manuals or warranty cards might also hold this coveted key. For those who went old-school with a CD purchase, the product key patiently waits inside the box.
Diving Deep into the System Registry for Your Key
For those on Windows versions 7 through 11, the product key hides encrypted within your hard drive’s system registry. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
1. Click the Start icon on your desktop.
2. Type ‘regedit’ and run as administrator.
3. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MATHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersionDigitalProductID.
Now, it gets a tad tricky. Extracting the key requires a script:
1. Make a new text document on your desktop.
2. Using Notepad, open this document.
3. Insert the specific code here.
4. Save the file as “find key.vbs” and ensure the file type is set to ‘All files’.
5. Running the saved script will unveil your key.
Command Prompt to the Rescue for Office Codes
This technique applies to Office 2013, 2016, and 2019. Here’s how:
1. Click the Start icon.
2. Enter ‘CMD’ or ‘Command Prompt’, then run as administrator.
3. Use the appropriate command from the list below:
– 32-bit Office on 32-bit Windows: cscript “C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice15OSPP.VBS” /dstatus
– 32-bit Office on 64-bit Windows: cscript “C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice15OSPP.VBS” /dstatus
– 64-bit Office on 64-bit Windows: cscript “C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice15OSPP.VBS” /dstatus
Fetching Your Office Key from Your Microsoft Account
Your Microsoft account retains your key for all Office versions. Just:
1. Browse to the Microsoft official website.
2. Sign in, then go to Services & subscriptions.
3. Find your Office version and click ‘View product key’.
Microsoft Support: Your Last Resort
When all methods falter, Microsoft’s support team can assist, given you furnish a purchase proof. Access support through the provided link or the ‘Get Help’ app on Windows 10 and 11.
Locating Office Keys on macOS
For Mac aficionados, the key retrieval process is similar. Check emails for online purchases, your Microsoft Store’s Order History, or the physical packaging. If you went for the disc version, a yellow sticker inside holds the key.
FAQs
– How to find my Office key on Mac?
– Email receipts, physical packaging, Microsoft Store’s Order History, or the CD case sticker are your go-to options.
– Where’s my Office activation key?
– Physically, it’s on the packaging or disc. Digitally, it’s in the services tab of your Microsoft account.
– Office 2013 Key location?
– Disc users, it’s inside the cover. Digital owners, it’s in the services tab of your account. Physical code buyers, it’s on the card.
Conclusion
Misplacing your Office product key isn’t the end of the road. With newer Office versions, keys link to your Microsoft account, making retrieval easier. Moreover, keys also sit locally on your machine. Hopefully, this guide cleared the mist surrounding the Microsoft Office key retrieval process. Drop any further queries below!