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Receiving an error that my product key is invalid

Anonymous
2010-01-18T17:07:08+00:00

My Office program is asking me to enter my product key, and when I do, it keeps giving a message saying that my product key is invalid.  I don’t know what else to do, I’m sure I’m entering the right numbers and letters.

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Anonymous
2010-01-18T17:14:38+00:00

Hi Sangeetha

This is a very common question, and the answer is usually one of these two scenarios:

1.       Did you just install Office from a retail box you just purchased?  If so, go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and see if there is another copy of Office installed besides the suite you just installed.  Some pre-installed Trial Office 2007 suites can conflict with the product key validation process.  If you see a duplicate copy of Office installed, then uninstall it and try to run your new Office program again.  Chances are your product key will work now.

2.       If you are using the 25-digit product key that you found on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop or on the back of your desktop case, then you are using the wrong key.  This key is the product key for the Windows operating system, and NOT for the Office Suite.  The correct product key for the Office suite will be in one of these places:

a.       Inside the retail Office 2007 box (if you bought Office from a retail store)

b.      Inside an e-mail from the online website where you purchased Office

c.       On the outside of the CD case, on a sticker

Microsoft has a knowledge base article that goes into more detail around the invalid product key scenario.  It is located at

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836178  , and would be a good place to go if these instructions above do not resolve your issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-16T21:52:34+00:00

    Just do what I did:

    Return your copy of Office to the store you bought it at,

    and download Open Office.

    Open Office does everything Microsoft Office can do, but it's 100% free!

    It even lets you read and edit Microsoft Office files, and people with MSOffice can read and edit your files too.

    There's really no reason to ever buy Microsoft Office again!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-24T14:53:17+00:00

    Please check for one or more office editions already installed.

    For windows xp> go to> add or remove programs and remove any other edition other then the one you purchased or you a re licensed to use for which you have a product key

    on windows vista go to "programs and features"> and remove any other edition other then the one you purchased or you a re licensed to use for which you have a product key

    Then re-start the computer, although not a must, but better suited for a process like this

     Then Install from the disk or download copy that you own.

    NOTE: It is very necessary to match the exact edition as the product key that you have is very specific to the product.

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  3. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,331 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2010-01-20T18:57:10+00:00

    Is the version installed on the new computer the exact same version as you had on Windows XP? If not, you need to install Offiuce using the disks you used to install it on Windows XP. (This assumes it is not an OEM version of Office and you are removing it from Windows XP.)

    Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]

    Outlook Tips: http://www.outlook-tips.net/

    Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-20T14:45:05+00:00

    I just bought a pc with windows 7. Office was pre-installed. I am trying to use my excisting key (used on my old XP computer), but this does not work. What can I do?

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