Microsoft Office is the world’s most popular office software suite, with millions of users all around the world. It includes text editing software, spreadsheet manager software, presentation software, along with an e-mail correspondence client and more. For many who grew up using applications like MS Word or MS PowerPoint, professional life without Microsoft Office would be impossible.
Usually, to activate Microsoft Office, you’re going to need an activation key – but can you actually use MS Office without one?
Can you activate Microsoft Office without a key?
If you bought a PC that comes with a Microsoft Office bundle, you won’t need an activation key – for example, your Office 2019 Professional Plus key will be the same as your Windows product key. The activation should proceed automatically when you open Microsoft Office for the first time, giving you unlimited lifetime access to all Office applications on that PC.
If you install Microsoft Office separately, the app will also be automatically activated for a trial period. This usually lasts 30 days and gives you full access to all Microsoft Office applications. After the trial period ends, you will have severely limited access to MS Office functionality – you will still be able to open files, but editing them might be out of your reach.
To access Microsoft Office after the trial period ends, you will need to buy an activation key.
What is the best place to buy a Microsoft Office 2019 key?
All Microsoft Office 2019 were moved to Microsoft 365 and requires a subscription for new users. However, you can still purchase a Microsoft Office 2019 activation key at a reliable online software key store like Key-Soft.co.uk at an affordable price, granting you lifetime access to a genuine licence.
You can find Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus activation keys for under £20 at reliable outlets. For comparison, a yearly subscription to Microsoft 365 costs £59.99 for the Personal edition and £79.99/per year for the Family edition. The advantage of Microsoft 365 is access to the latest updates, as well as the fact that it can be used on mobile devices using iOS and Android as well. Unfortunately, the subscription is much more expensive.
You can also try Microsoft 365 for free for 1 month, after which you will have to purchase a subscription to continue using the software.
I already have Microsoft Office, but I don’t have a key – what should I do?
When you open Microsoft Office for the first time, a prompt will open asking you to provide an activation key. If your copy is already activated, and it doesn’t need a key, you will instead see a different window with a large Let’s get started promptly on it. Windows PCs with pre-installed and pre-activated Microsoft Office packages show a large You’ve got Office! window when first opened, granting you access without needing a licence key.
If you bought a retail box edition or a product key card, your product key may be located under a strip of silver foil coating on the back. Carefully scratch off the foil to reveal your product key, and enter it when asked after opening the Office for the first time.
You don’t need your product key to reinstall Microsoft Office if it’s connected to your Microsoft account. Simply log in to your account, go to the Services & Subscriptions page, and download the software. If you bought Office Professional Plus through Microsoft Workplace Discount Program, you will still need your key for reinstallation. If you can’t find it, you may just have to purchase a new one, unfortunately.