Getting a Microsoft License Key Reset

[nlinecomputers]

And you're not alone. But I refuse to argue my personal, direct experience with anyone who asserts that, by definition, it simply cannot be true.

It's the very definition of an impasse.

And I'm far from being someone who does not acknowledge the huge role that user error plays in many, many issues.

The problem of course is the huge gray market. Even if your copy is legitimate you can have your key stolen or replicated by key generators. So someone else tries to use the key and it gets blacklisted and removed from your account. And Microsoft doesn't notify you when they do that. If that key was the only reason you had a Microsoft Account and you do not log in to the account it's considered abandoned and the account is deleted. This is why you should use a Microsoft Account instead of a local account if you buy Office. But most people who go the stand alone route tend to also avoid M$ Accounts.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Except that I personally witnessed it. I leave my clients a printed form with the Microsoft account information that I setup for them. I've pulled out said document only to have it either fail to show the license or flat fail to show even the account. Like I said such events is why I no longer support the standalone versions. You either buy the subscription, Softmaker, or GTFO.

When? Because back with Office 2012 MS screwed up the back end. During that time there was a dedicated support team that given proof of purchase was putting licenses back into accounts.

I haven't seen this reality repeat with Office 2016, or 2019, and I do not expect it with office 2022.

Not that I'm suggesting you change course on your idea of pushing the subs, because I agree with you. There is simply more value in those subs, office itself is too easily replaced with other options that are better values.

Also Win11 home forcing MS accounts will help here, and I take issue with those refusers... because WTF? You allow Google and Apple to the same thing on their mobile devices without complaint!

 

[nlinecomputers]

When? Because back with Office 2012 [2013] MS screwed up the back end. During that time there was a dedicated support team that given proof of purchase was putting licenses back into accounts.

Last time was for Office 2016. I've never had any luck convincing M$. Windows 10 they will trip over themselves to issue a new key. Office? So sorry, too bad, GFY, next.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Also Win11 home forcing MS accounts will help here, and I take issue with those refusers... because WTF? You allow Google and Apple to the same thing on their mobile devices without complaint!

It's not that I refuse, it's just on new installs you often you don't have that information and just as often they HAVE an account setup and have forgotten it, so you are in the middle of an account recovery while also setting up a new PC. Business users will have AD or Azure AD so it's not a big deal.

 

[Sky-Knight]

It's not that I refuse, it's just on new installs you often you don't have that information and just as often they HAVE an account setup and have forgotten it, so you are in the middle of an account recovery while also setting up a new PC. Business users will have AD or Azure AD so it's not a big deal.

Actually it is a big deal... because AzureAD doesn't "own" the machine unless you have Azure Directory Premium Plan 1, which comes with Microsoft 365 PREMIUM. So if you're in the smaller subs you need a personal MS login to hit every box before they go out, if you don't... you don't own the recovery keys! If an employee configures a Microsoft account on top of their local domain login, then THEY OWN that machine as far as MS is concerned...

It's a substantial mess. MS is hoping the time it takes to not screw things up will encourage people to upgrade to the $22 / month sub. But for $10 / month / machine I can get away with a LOT. And maintaining a personal login for each client is trivial.

 

[mattsnoddy]

Is there currently some method where one can contact Microsoft to have a license "re-enabled" under circumstances such as this.

Back to the original question, is the option to activate a MS license by phone no longer available? If you have the installer for Office and the retail key that's already been activated once, on your phone you can go to https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/ and in the software activation do the "I have a key" and then "Activate by telephone" and type the key to get an activation code.

 

[glricht]

Back to the original question, is the option to activate a MS license by phone no longer available? If you have the installer for Office and the retail key that's already been activated once, on your phone you can go to https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/ and in the software activation do the "I have a key" and then "Activate by telephone" and type the key to get an activation code.

Just tried it. When I go to https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/ I get "HTTP Status [500] - [Internal Server Error]"

 

[mattsnoddy]

Yeah the web address is specific to the phone and there's an easier redirector to it. If you call the Phone Activation number, it will give you the option to go to the web site activator (I don't remember what the address is but it's the correct one that redirects to the .io one) or will activate on the call itself. I bookmarked the site on my phone, and the full bookmark I have is:

https://microsoft.gointeract.io/int...rtedFromSmsToken=MXM0GnB&dnis=26&token=LYISDF

 

[Sky-Knight]

There is a phone activation, I've seen it... but it's been years since I've used it.

But if memory serves, the only way to get it to appear is to attempt to activate an Office installation while the device is offline.

 

[britechguy]

But if memory serves, the only way to get it to appear is to attempt to activate an Office installation while the device is offline.

Or if an online activation fails for any reason, which they do on occasion.

 

[frase]

I have done it with MS before over the phone, he RD in and did some CMD entries to release key then I was able to use the product key I had to install.

Process is mentioned here -

Support - Forscope.eu

Looking for installation files for products, installation and activation guides, or have questions regarding your order? Visit our Support page!

www.forscope.eu

 

[britechguy]

I have done it with MS before over the phone, he RD in and did some CMD entries to release key then I was able to use the product key I had to install.

Process is mentioned here -

Support - Forscope.eu

Looking for installation files for products, installation and activation guides, or have questions regarding your order? Visit our Support page!

www.forscope.eu

Sincere thanks for this. Another arrow in the quiver.

That being said, in a case such as mine, where the original machine has had a catastrophic drive failure the original installation cannot be deactivated gracefully.

 

[Porthos]

@britechguy
US Activation number for both Windows and Office. 866-432-3012
Have it saved on my phone and have used it several times.
Download link https://officecdn.microsoft.com/db/...DF67D60/media/en-US/HomeStudent2019Retail.img