Many readers seem to feel that the low priced offers are worth a try. It’s hard to tell whether these offers are legal licenses or not. Microsoft doesn’t sell old versions of Office retail but some retailers might have some old copies still available for sale.Įbay and, to a lesser extent, Amazon might host merchants selling older Microsoft Office licenses. The Microsoft police aren’t going to coming knocking at your door😊. If the product activation does not work, there’s no harm done. If the install and activation is permitted by Microsoft’s online licensing system, you’re good to go. Home and Student, Home and Student, Home and Business, Standard, Professional). Otherwise there are online downloads you can try but make sure the source is reliable, safe AND it’s exactly the same Office release (i.e.

Hopefully, you’ll have your original Office DVD or a copy to install from.

Office 2013 and later don’t save the product key in the registry so it’s not possible to recover the key from there. Retail purchases have a sticker with the 25 character code. Try installing Office version you have on the new computer using your existing product key. Most people don’t know or remember if their Office was an OEM or retail purchase (the Help | About screen might say). Unlike previous retail versions of Office, the retail license for Office 2013 and later perpetual licence Office is for just one computer, not two. Retail Office 2013 is transferable (after Microsoft bowed to pressure). OEM purchases of Office (single payment, not annual subscription) are always for that PC only and non-transferable. Here’s a few things to try … You might have an Office license alreadyĭepending on how you bought your original Office 2013 either retail or with a new computer (aka OEM). “Īs usual, when it comes to Microsoft Office licensing, there’s no simple answer. Is there a way to get another copy for the new Microsoft Surface I just bought for less than the price of a new single PC copy? Office 365 is not needed for what I do. “ I have Office 2013 on two computers now. How can you buy an older version of Microsoft Office to fit in with your other computers?įran, a loyal reader has that problem getting Office 2013.

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