Office 365 - How do I change my default language? (Not downloading a different language, this is my online account.)

Chip has documented the only answer that I've seen in the dozens of times this question has been asked (that I've looked at).

There is a defect in the activation process. Sometimes the process will pick up the WRONG LANGUAGE. Once the language is set, there is no way for the user to change it. 

• Yes, it is a stupid design defect.
• Yes, it should be easy to fix, to allow users to change the selected language.
• No, MS has not bothered to fix it in the year since the release of 365.
• Yes, a lot of customers have wasted a lot of time and money on this problem
• (yes, I am glad I selected Office 2013 rather than Office 365!)

The work-around is simple, but finding someone at MS to do it is not. 

You have to get MS to issue you with a new product key and to cancel your subscription. Then if you are lucky it will pick up the right language when you activate again. The "trick" is you have to realize that the front line support person who answers you call is useless for this problem. They do not have the authority to provide the fix.  So you have to ask to be transferred to a supervisor.  They will insist on working through their stupid script and you will have to keep asking to be transferred.  Eventually they will transfer you. If the next person cannot give you the fix, keep asking to be transferred.  It may take several transfers before you get someone qualified to help you.

When you contact them, ask for a trouble ticket number so you can use it when you are "accidentally" disconnected. Many people have reported that happening to them, more than once. When you call back you can give them the ticket number so they can pick up where you left off and so that they know you have already been given the run-around.

Sorry, I know this is a carpy answer, but it is the only one I've seen that "works".

Personally, I prefer to use live chat support. I found it a little less annoying than the elevator music on phone support (plus I have a pay-as-you-go cell phone, it would cost me an arm and a leg in time charges!)

Online chat support: http://answerdesk.microsoftstore.com/AnswerTech

I recently used online chat support myself. I found it had several advantages over phone support, even though you still contact the same outsourced, support personnel:

·    No ESL accent issues

·    Provides instant time stamped transcript

·    When you get transferred to the “right” person, they can review the history

·    If they don’t read history, you can copy / paste the past conversation to them, saving you having to repeat yourself

·    They are more likely to go off line to ask other people for help (good for you)

·    You don’t have to listen to “elevator muzak” then they are off line

·    You have 2 hands free to surf the web then they are not talking to you.

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For some reason, I found that waiting for online chat responses intrinsically frustrating than listening to elevator muzak.

Make sure to copy the text from the chat window and save it before closing the chat window. It is handy to have a timestamped copy of the conversation, if only to publish it on the internet ... <evil grin>

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Microsoft Online Electronic Software Download (ESD) Support

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/esdentryoffice

Sorry to be part of the finger pointing merry-go-round. But there are no official published fixes from MS for your problem. We can provide generic answers. You have to pester MS for help or ask for your money back.

Many Microsoft products and product upgrades can be purchased via a retail store or online, then downloaded to your computer as an Electronic Software Download. In addition to buying your Microsoft product directly from Microsoft, you may have purchased it from another company. Please select the appropriate issue below to get assistance:

I need assistance with downloading electronic software that I purchased from an Online Retailer.

I am unable to find my product key (25 character alpha numeric product key) or my product key did not work.

I need assistance installing a downloaded product or I’ve already successfully installed the product and need technical support.

I need assistance with my PIN (27 character alpha numeric PIN) .

None of the issues above describe my issue or question.

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Free support and Trouble shoot problems that occur when you try to install an Office system program from the Office CD or DVD or Online download

Note Microsoft provides technical support at no cost for problems that involve the installation of Microsoft Office system. If you need help, visit the Microsoft Online Assisted Support Options Web site. Click the following link to visit the Microsoft Online Assisted Support Options Web site, and then select your product to contact support:  http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance&c1=505&GSSOrid/sekNire595

<snip> Meghan (mms support rep): We also give you 30 days of download support with the purchase of the download so an agent of ours can get you signed into your account and start the download process for you! </snip>

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/pd/productID.236555100/parentCategoryID.37286600/categoryID.50726300/list.true

• this page has US support phone number: 1-877-696-7786

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/13615

= Support for Office 2010 and 2007. Answers to common questions

http://support.microsoft.com/get-support/more

         Links to Support for Microsoft Products

Help and support for Microsoft Office. Links to customer service and technical solutions, downloads, updates, service packs, answers to top issues.

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http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924619

Note Microsoft provides technical support at no cost for problems that involve the installation of Microsoft Office system. If you need help, visit the Microsoft Online Assisted Support Options Web site. Click the following link to visit the Microsoft Online Assisted Support Options Web site, and then select your product to contact support:  http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance&c1=505&GSSOrid/sekNire595

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Global Customer Service phone numbers

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/customer-service-phone-numbers

Alphabetical list of countries and main support phone number

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With the new MS CEO just being announced, now would be a good time for all of you "satisfied" customers to get in touch with him to see if he will force a fix!

How to Get Help: Contact the CEO

http://www.pcworld.com/article/230674/how\_to\_get\_help\_contact\_the\_ceo\_bypass\_phone\_menus.html#tk.nl\_sbx\_h\_cbintro

Here’s what to do when normal customer service channels fail: Go to the top.

You can find information on Microsoft Executives here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/a-d.aspx

Contact is the President of Microsoft Office Division: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/kurtd/

<snip By Rick Broida, PCWorld    Jun 21, 2011 >

As I’ve chronicled in recent weeks, my two HP desktops died a terrible death within two weeks of each other. I learned from perusing various online forums that motherboard failure was to blame, and that the problem affected a large number of HP systems. (In my case, it was a Pegatron M2N78-LA motherboard in a Pavilion M9350F and Pavilion S5360F, but I’ve read reports of the same board having the same issue in other models.)

Both systems were out of warranty, meaning my options were limited: I could pay HP $300 per system for repairs, try replacing the motherboards myself, or cut bait and buy new machines. Needless to say, I wasn’t happy with any of these choices.

During my research into the problem, I discovered an HP Web page where you can write a letter to the CEO. So I did. I briefly and politely explained that while I understand hardware failures can happen, the loss of two HP desktops in two weeks was enough to keep me from ever buying another HP system. I didn’t threaten, I didn’t accuse, I didn’t make demands, and I didn’t resort to name-calling or foul language (much as I might have wanted to). I simply expressed my frustration and clicked Send, figuring that was the end of that.

The next day, I received a phone call from a member of HP’s “escalation” team, who apologized for the problems and turned me over to a case manager. Long story short: HP offered to repair both machines at their expense, including priority shipping to and from the repair depot. Knock me over with a feather!

Some friends have suggested that the recipient of my letter figured out “who I am” (namely, a tech blogger), hence the world-class treatment. I suppose that’s possible, but I find it unlikely that HP staffers have time to Google the name of every person who writes in. Rather, the optimist in me wants to believe that even big corporations are willing to do the right thing when it comes to customer service--though sometimes you have to appeal to a “higher power” to make that happen.

My advice to you: If you think you’ve gotten a raw deal on a product or service, and you’re not making any headway through the usual channels, a politely worded letter to the big boss might just do the trick.

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$$$ DEMAND A REFUND $$$

Really!

Way too many people are having this problem and wasting days and weeks trying to get it fixed! The only way MS is going to fix it is if they start losing money because of it.

If MS does not cooperate and give you your money back, contact your credit card company. Ask for a the charge to be reversed because they gave you a defective product. Refer them to this forum to see that lots of people are having this problem.

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Microsoft North American Retail Product Refund Guideline

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2804532

- Manage Office 365 / 2013 Billing Options

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https://

www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx****

NOTE:Print out this page and show it to the store!

Hit them in the bottom line by “voting with your feet”, ask for your money back.

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2013 MS License Terms Specific to Refunds:

<snip>

O.        SUPPORT AND REFUND PROCEDURES

Microsoft provides limited support services for properly licensed software as described at support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx .

If you are seeking a refund, and you cannot obtain one where you acquired the software, contact Microsoft for information about Microsoft’s refund policies. Seemicrosoft.com/worldwide, or in North America, call (800) MICROSOFT or seemicrosoft.com/info/nareturns.htm.

</snip>

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MS Services Agreement - re Refund

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/microsoft-services-agreement

<snip> 9.9. Refund policies. Unless otherwise provided by law or by a particular service offer, all purchases are final and non-refundable. </snip>

So you have to depend on your local laws if you want to get a refund on a copy of 365 that never worked

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MS Online Store Refunds and Exchanges Policy

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/DisplayHelpReturnsRefundsPage

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Product Key Card  vs. “Traditional” Retail disk - PKC Return policy

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/products/office/Pages/office_2010_sell.aspx

“Media less” Installations: Product Key Cards PKC (2010) / OEM / MLK(2007):

·    For use on new, preloaded PCs only

·    1 license / 1 device / non-transferable

·    Activates preloaded Office or Downloaded installation files

·    Does not include media

Microsoft® Office 2010 Product Key Cards contains a 27 char “PIN” which you have to enter at a site to retrieve your 25 char product key. This key will activate Office on only one PC. No disc supplied. The PKC license is not transferable to another PC. Next week if your cat uses your computer as a litter box, you have to BUY A NEW PKC.

If you “regret” your PKC purchase you can return it.

<snip from the MS License Terms, Product Key Card section>

IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE LICENSE TERMS, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE. INSTEAD, RETURN YOUR PRODUCT KEY CARD TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A REFUND OR CREDIT.

If you cannot obtain a refund there, contact Microsoft or the Microsoft affiliate serving your country for information about Microsoft’s refund policies. See www.microsoft.com/worldwide. In the United States and Canada, call (800) MICROSOFT or see www.microsoft.com/info/nareturns.htm.

</snip>

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Get a “Bigger Stick” working for you – The Media

If all else fails, “shout louder”.

As an alternate approach, “get a bigger stick”. As single individuals we are pretty powerless. But there are various “media personalities” that can help ie radio/TV/Newspaper/Internet “ombudsmen”. They have large audiences and companies want to avoid bad press. When a well-known (loud mouth) media personality exposes bad customer service it can have a big, negative, long term effect on the company. So it is easier and cheaper, and better PR, to simply give the customer anything to get them to go away.

So, try to get one or more “reporters” to help you.

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Twitter - Make your Pain Public, maybe then MS will fix the problem

http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-twitter-based-tech-support-puts-apple-in-the-shade-7000016997/

Sorry, there is no good answer to that. If you, and all the others with this problem start tweeting it, making it more public, maybe then MS will finally be inspired to find the fix to the problem.

Microsoft has a number of dedicated teams that do this kind of support explicitly: @WinPhoneSupport, @XboxSupport, @MicrosoftHelps, @WindowsSupport.

Social media teams on @Office, @Surface, and @Microsoft

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Try using one of the free alternatives to Office until there is a public announcement the problem has been identified and fixed

Office Suite Alternatives

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2013 10 01- 10 comparisons between Google Apps and Office 365

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/google-in-the-enterprise/10-comparisons-between-google-apps-and-office-365/

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2013 07 24- Cost breakdown toolkit: Google Apps vs. Office 365

http://www.techproresearch.com/article/cost-breakdown-toolkit-google-apps-vs-office-365/

Topics discussed include hosted email, mobile email from an array of devices, ability to host a public website, ability to use a company’s own domain name and email addresses, ability to manage user accounts, calendar sharing, encrypted connectivity for security, 24/7 phone support, and a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee.

The cost analysis includes a toolkit in the download to allow for quick comparisons of Google Apps for Business, Google Apps Vault, Office 365 Small Business, Office 365 Small Business Premium, Office 365 Midsize Business, Office 365 Enterprise E1, Office 365 Enterprise E3, and Office 365 Enterprise E4.

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2011 08 29- Google Apps vs. Office 365 vs. Zoho Docs: Cloud-Based Office Suites Showdown

https://

www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/236722/google_apps_vs_office_365_vs_zoho_docs_cloudbased_office_suites_showdown.html#tk.nl_bpx_h_cbintro****

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2013 08 28- Help migrate users from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice 4.1

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/smb-technologist/help-migrate-users-from-microsoft-office-to-libreoffice-41

<snip>

it will save users the headache of having to learn yet another iteration of the Microsoft Office interface. LibreOffice, held steadfast to the tried and true menu drop-down system.

It won’t take long for your end users to feel comfortable with LibreOffice 4.1 because of the interface. When you break it down, almost every office suite works the same -- it’s how and where you click that makes a difference. But just in case you find the migration a challenge, here are tips to make the process smoother.

</snip>

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2013 08 00- Battle of the Office Suites: Microsoft Office 2013 and LibreOffice 4.1 Compared

http://lifehacker.com/you-may-switch-to-libreoffice-but-the-rest-of-the-busin-1148504264

We’ll spare you the suspense and tell you Microsoft Office won this battle, but only due to one reason. To find out what that is, check out the full article!

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2013 08 00- Feature Comparison: LibreOffice 4.1 - Microsoft Office 2013

https://

wiki.documentfoundation.org/Feature_Comparison:_LibreOffice_-_Microsoft_Office****

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2013 07 25- Two days after OpenOffice 4, LibreOffice 4.1 is released

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/25/two-days-after-openoffice-4-libreoffice-4-1-is-released/

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2013 03 13- Two free, full-blown alternatives to MS Office - Open Office / Libre Office

https://

windowssecrets.com/newsletter/two-free-full-blown-alternatives-to-ms-office/****

As Microsoft’s Office has grown in size and complexity, more than a few users have wondered whether there’s a viable alternative — especially when it comes time to pay for an upgrade or new copy.

<snip> After using both for a couple weeks, I didn’t notice any major features missing in either. Writer is a capable word processor that does pretty much everything Word can do and more. In fact, we picked Writer as the best word processor for Windows. If a word processor is all you really need, then Writer will do everything Word can do and more.

…

If you’re new to spreadsheets or just a light user, Calc gets the job done. However, if you’re working in an environment where you’re sharing a lot of macros then you’re best off sticking with Excel. Both of them are easy to get started with, support the same file formats, and offer a pretty close selection of features.

….

LibreOffice’s Impress is a perfectly capable program, but if you’re working with people who usually use PowerPoint you might run into some compatibility issues still. If you’re just making presentations for your own purposes, then Impress should work for you.

…

Unlike the rest of the software in the suite, database software is really more about what you and your company use. Base has fantastic integration with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Thunderbird, whereas Access integrates better with Outlook and Paradox. Both manage to do what they need to do well, so which you use really depends on the context you use it in.

….

For the most part, LibreOffice and Microsoft Office have the same suite of software with the exception of one thing: Outlook. LibreOffice doesn’t come packed with an email client, so if you need Outlook or an equivalent, you won’t find it here. The rest of the suite is pretty similar.

It’s pretty obvious that if money is tight, LibreOffice is the office suite for you. Even still, if Microsoft Office isn’t actually required at your work (especially with Outlook), LibreOffice has a lot to offer these days. LibreOffice also supports extensions, which means you can customize the look, features, and feel of the suite to suit your needs. Fortunately, the two office suites usually play nice together, so if you want to give LibreOffice a try for a few days you should be able to continue working with documents you’ve already created in Microsoft Office (though as stated above, you may run into a few small issues).

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2013 07 16- Geek level comparison of LibreOffice and OpenOffice program code and their future

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/16/libre_office_hardware_acceleration/

Provides overview of underlying code changes to LibreOffice and it’s future use of video card to speed up processing

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LibreOffice 4.0 ships with new features, better looks

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/08/libreoffice_40_ships/

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https://www.libreoffice.org/download/4-0-new-features-and-fixes ****

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Review: LibreOffice 4 liberates you from Microsoft Office

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042552/review-libreoffice-4-liberates-you-from-microsoft-office.html#tk.rss_all ****

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LibreOffice 3.5: The best Office killer yet

https://www.infoworld.com/d/applications/libreoffice-35-the-best-office-killer-yet-187534 ****

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Ultimate Collection of Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Office Suite

http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-best-free-alternatives-to-microsoft-office-suite/ 10 superb free tools for all of your basic business needs 2013 01 14

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http://www.pcworld.com/article/252603/the_15_best_free_business_tools_apps_and_services_of_2012.html 15 Best Free Business Tools, Apps, and Services of 2012 – 2012 04 23

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http://www.techhive.com/article/258102/the_best_freeware_for_small_businesses.html Best Freeware for Small Businesses

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5 Free Open Source Alternatives to Microsoft Office

http://www.cio.com/article/716346/5_Free_Open_Source_Alternatives_to_Microsoft_Office?taxonomyId=3000

Apache OpenOffice  LibreOffice  NeoOffice  Google Docs  KOffice

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2010 09 27- Google spikes old MS file formats - Withdraws support for .doc, .xls, .ppt

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/27/google_kills_old_ms_file_formats/ ****

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Five alternatives to Microsoft Office 365

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-alternatives-to-microsoft-office-365/1860 ****

Zoho, OX, Google Apps, Think Free Office, Live Documents

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2013 04 18- Going Google (apps), Part 1: Move your mail

http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/going-google-apps-part-1-move-your-mail/ ****

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Part 2: Move your docs

http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/going-google-apps-part-2-move-your-docs/ ****

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Part 3: Share/collaborate

https://windowssecrets.com/top-story/going-google-apps-part-3-sharecollaborate/ ****

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2012 12 12- Review: The new Corel Office

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/review-the-new-corel-office/7017 ****

Winodws 8 compatible, (2010) Ribbonized

Bottom Line: Corel’s reboot of their fabled office suite brings a fresh look to WordPerfect and company. However, unless you are a diehard fan of the brand or work specifically with documents designed with the software, stick with something else.

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Duracell 8GB USB2 with Corel Home Office (full)

http://store.worldstart.com/product/7621 ****

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Windows Live Essentials

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-live/essentials-other-programs ****

Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, Movie maker etc.

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SSuite Office Free – several versions

http://www.ssuitesoft.com/ssuiteofficepremiumhd.htm ****

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http://www.ssuitesoft.com/wordgraph.htm - Description of Word processor app

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Ashampoo Office 2010

http://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pde/0338/Office_Software/Ashampoo-Office-2010/Details

Textmaker (Word), PlanMaker (Excel) and Presentations (PowerPoint) menu, NOT ribbon, based equivalents. If you sign up for their newsletter they offer software for sale at prices ranging from $5-15 at various times in the year. But at US$40, even full price is cheap.

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2013 05 30- 10 reasons why Kingsoft Office is better than the competition

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-reasons-why-kingsoft-office-is-better-than-the-competition/3745 ****

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Kingsoft Office Suite 2012

http://www.topshareware.com/Kingsoft-Office-Suite-Free-2012-download-91031.htm ****

It’s highly compatible with MS Office. Features spell check, a PDF converter, small package size, multi-tab interface, paragraph adjustment tool, drag-and-drop table feature, group convert hyperlinks and more.

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Free Editor Version 2.0.1.0

http://www.freeeditor.com/ ****

http://www.freeeditor.com/supported-file-types  -