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First off, I am NOT a counterfeiter and this software was purchased from a reputable dealer. It is not counterfeit - I've had it for 7 years.
It is a 3 license version office 2010 product key.
I'm an active computer enthusiast and gamer, and I have my own company which uses a ton of Microsoft products. Site hosted on Azure, office 365 for exchange server - I still use PCs for my employees and haven't yet considered migrating to Apple products.
I upgraded my home computer from win 8 to win 10 a few weeks ago and it wasn't working smoothly so support helped me create a win 10 disc and I upgraded my OS with a fresh install. It works great now.
I went to re-install office and the key has since been blocked. Support tells me that I have activated my 3 license key 20 times in the last 7 years and that they think it is counterfeit. To register as a different activation, it means every time I've gotten a new hard drive or computer or motherboard after a failure, takes one registration.
Every single time that it has been activated has been from me. I redo my computers on average once a year - I've RMA'd motherboards, I regularly change hard drives - I remember being able to afford my first 60GB SSD and then upgrading many times until today when I have a 1TB SSD.
Now, I am being told that I need to fill out a form saying that my software is counterfeit and that I must wait for a decision. Well, as much as this seems silly since this isn't counterfeit, I filled out the form and was told that in 24-48 hours I will hear from someone. When that didn't happen, I then called again and was told "another 24-48 hours". Now, today, I talked with two different people - one who said that I abused it by making so many changes to my computer and another that offered to sell me 3 licenses to replace the software I am perfectly happy with for $one thousand dollars because there is nothing that they can do to unblock my licenses.
Both times, when I asked for a supervisor I was dispespected, I was first transferred to the Microsoft sales team to buy Office 2016, which I told them I would not do. The second time I was transferred to a number that rang 5 times and then hung up. Literally, the guy just hung up on me because he didn't even give me a chance to respond to him saying that he was transferring me. You can outsource your support to India to save costs, but in the future, Microsoft tech support should just hot transfer people like me directly to Apple, because continuing to offer this type of support will produce very similar results.
I spend on average $3-5k per year on Microsoft products and have been treated like a petty criminal. I feel like I am being squeezed to buy new software that I really don't need. These are for my personal PCs at home and my personal laptop and while I sometimes need office, I don't need the latest version to be happy and productive.
I would like someone to tell me how that I can use my licenses that I paid for and deserve to have.
Thanks,
Dean
Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
The number of installs/activations is irrelevant. Don't give in on that. Keep explaining why the count is legitimate.
I don't think you should submit the bootleg form. I believe that you that it is not. Keep pushing MS Support to do the right thing.
haha, well played. I hadn't noticed the asterisk - the package is there and intact, but it is 7 years old so not exactly looking like store bought software these days! I believe I bought it at circuit city or best buy, which is why I don't question the authenticity. There is simply no way it is counterfeit and I don't at all doubt that I've installed it 20 times over the 7 years. Thanks for clarifying the asterisk! Still sucks that they took it away because as they said, upgrading my computer and re-licensing is abusing the software. Lame all around.
Thanks for the explanation Rohn!
Still waiting for Microsoft to honor their third commitment to contact me within 24-48 hours.
Should I send it in even though I know for certain that it is a legit copy?
Dean
I have Office Home and Business 2010 - i saved the packaging and everything and it says right on the box - Licensed for noncommercial use on up to 3 home PCs.
Good that you have the packaging. Take another, closer look at the package. There should be an asterisk beside that mention of 3 count. It leads to statement that 3 installs is specific for Home and Student only. Home and Business only allows you to install on 2 computers at the same time. But that lower count does not impact the number of times you are allowed to re-install or transfer to new computers.
If your package really does say Home and Business allows on up to 3 computers at the same time then you have a problem. That is the most common mistake bootleggers make. They have made very convincing copies of the packages and disks in the past.
FYI, here is some information about bootleged copies of Office
Bootleg - Fake
Description of the Office Genuine Advantage Notifications application – “This copy of Office is not genuine. Click here to learn more.”
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949810
The Office Genuine Advantage (“OGA”) program has been retired. For more information about the benefits of genuine Office, please visit the following website: Benefits of genuine Office
(NOTE: since the OGA program is discontinued, I don’t know if the “complimentary copy” is still being offered …)
<snip> Note If you believe that you are a victim of piracy and have unintentionally purchased a non-genuine version of Microsoft Office, you may be eligible to receive a complimentary copy of Microsoft Office by filling out a counterfeit report and submitting the qualifying counterfeit media. For more information, follow these steps:
</snip>
UPDATE Nov 10, 2013
The Counterfeit report was accepted, and MS sent me a valid copy of Office 2010 Pro.
Wow, what a relief...
Some identified bootleg sites:
software savings world claim to be a Microsoft Certified Partner Are they legitimate?
Here some duplicate sites same scam and fraudulent offer for Microsoft and other software
https://completesoftwarecenter.com/ compete software center inc
http://oemsoftwarecenter.com/ oem software center inc
http://softwarepcguy.com software pc guy inc
http://www.srsnova.com srs nova inc
http://asutechnical.com/ asu technical inc
also related scam site is bestsoftwaresupport.net
DELL Office 2013 OEM Certficate of Authenticity
Office 2010 Product Key Card FAQ https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/office-product-key-card-frequently-asked-questions-HA101847520.aspx
How to avoid Buying Bootleg copies online
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/10-Holiday-Shopping-Tips-to-Avoid-Buying-Pirated-Software-351045/
Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key and license Photo– How to find them?
http://techblissonline.com/microsoft-office-2010-product-key-and-license/
When you install or reinstall a Microsoft Office 2010 suite, you are prompted to type or to paste the 25-character product key. The product key is used during the Microsoft software installation to unlock the Microsoft Office suite. If you do not enter the product key when you are prompted, the suite may be locked. In a locked state, the functionality of the applications will be limited.
How to Tell if it Windows7/Office 2010 you bought is Authentic in pictures
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/antipiracy/pages/COA\_hologram.aspx
Fake- How to Tell if your software is Real
HP “MS Product Identifier Card” / Certificate of Authenticity:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=415387
fake - What is a Windows Certificate of Authenticity (COA)? - How to Tell What Win and Office COA look like PHOTO-
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa&displaylang=en
One of the replies in the following discussion < http://discuss.howtogeek.com/t/how-to-find-your-lost-windows-or-office-product-keys/23104/13> includes an animated GIF that shows sample Windows COA stickers from XP to Win 7:
http://discuss.howtogeek.com/uploads/default/24452/bfea542c7efbd5cb.gif
2010 2013 Product Key Card Images
http://www.tjskl.org.cn/products/original\_office2010\_pro\_product\_key\_card\_freeshipping-mpz5c2a501-z50a0b6d/showimage.html 2010 Product Key Card picture
http://www.trustprice.com/images/892381\_1/large.jpg 2010 Product Key CArd Picture
Fake Office 2010 Product Key Photo
http://techblissonline.com/microsoft-office-2010-product-key-and-license/
Fake Office 2010 Package photos
http://stores.ebay.com/DAVAD-TECHNOLOGY-LIMITED/Fake-Microsoft-Office-2010.html
2007 Microsoft Office Suites License Designations - 2007 Product key images
I hear you Rohn007!
I have Office Home and Business 2010 - i saved the packaging and everything and it says right on the box - Licensed for noncommercial use on up to 3 home PCs.
I have switched HDs before and had it ask me to re-activate the license. But for 3 licenses to have 20 activations and then have them accuse me of being a counterfeiter and have them propose me buying new licenses just stinks.
They don't have a leg to stand on, but since they keep just hanging up on me, what is my recourse? How do i deliver this to someone online so that there is a trail? Calling, spending 20 minutes talking with someone and then having them hangup on me is getting old - and frustrating! Anyone with similar experience want to join a class action? Any attorneys out there that want to take on a slam dunk case? COME ON MICROSOFT, JUST DO THE RIGHT THING!
Thanks,
Dean
The only "3 license" version of Office 2010 is Home and Student. But that does not include Outlook.
Refer them to your license
<snip 2010 MS License Terms>
You may reassign the license to a different device any number of times, but not more than one time every 90 days. If you reassign, that other device becomes the “licensed device.” If you retire the licensed device due to hardware failure, you may reassign the license sooner.
</snip>
The only limit on the number of times the original purchaser can move the license to a new computer is the 90 day limit. But with 3 allowed activations, it is hard to hit that 90 day limit.
MS does not consider "limited" hardware upgrades to be a transfer to a new device. So upgrading a HD, or RAM, or OS (one at a time) is not enough to be considered a "transfer" or new install. The activation system should automactially recognize that it is the same computer. Installing a new Mother board is the only individual hardware upgrade that I know of that the activation system considers a new computer.
This limit they have quoted is bogus. If they can't come up with something better, like too many machines at the same time or wide geographic spread then they have no leg to stand on.