Is there any way to contact MS support? (Account log in problem)

Question

Question: Is there anyway to actually contact Microsoft Support? I've gone through the Contact loop 16 times without success.

Background: I originally wanted to load Office Profession 2010 with Outlook (Classic) or Office (Home and Business 2010 ) or Office Home and Student 2019 on the new W11 laptop. I have CD/USBs but the activation keys are apparently defunct (a day earlier than advertised?). Windows downloaded a program, which might be Office (based on date) or Family 365, but whatever, I could not activate it.

When attempting to sign into my MS account got the message "This user name might be incorrect....." I have two user names (MS accounts) but neither is accepted. Every attempt to progress the matter just loops back to same web page -"Contact Microsoft Support" with no apparent way to progress the matter.

Any advice on how to actually chat with a MS Support person will be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi! My name is Aj and Im an Independent Advisor here to help! Go here https://support.microsoft.com/contactus and you will be given options on how to connect to support by chat or call depending on the product/region. Just select the product and category.

To avoid the loop you can clear your browser's cache or inprivate mode or different browser/device.

Answer 2

Office 2010 and its variants is under End of Support since 2020.

Office 2019 is also under end of support since 14 Oct 2025.

Very likely even if you reached support they will not be able to help you.

For what you downloaded, specifics matter. There are many variants of Microsoft Office, and licensing is version specific - for example a Microsoft365 license vs a Office 2xxx license is not the same.

You would most likely need to get the latest versions of Microsoft365 or Office 2024. Beware of deeply discounted versions online sold by retailers, many are dubious or pirated.

Answer 3

Thanks for the interest. The full story is: I have a desktop on which Office Professional 2010 was installed in 2017. I also have a copy Office Home and Business (2 PCs) but it wasn't installed on a current PC. The Surface Go had Office Home and Student installed in 2019. I also have a subscription for MS 365 Family but it's only on my daughter's PC. (None at discount prices.)

Normally I only use the desktop for emails (POP and pst files), but in August 2025 I was travelling and needed access to my emails. I installed Office Professional on the Go (didn't have USB for Home and Business) and it worked perfectly. However the Go had limitations and I retired it on my return. I then tried to install Office on the 1-day-old laptop (13 October). It loaded the program but the message was that the activation key wasn't valid and then a new program downloaded. I don't what that program was.

When I tried to log into my MS account the message is "The user name might not be correct..." It is but the Family 365 might have a different account, but that login also doesn't work.

The main issue is that I can't contact Microsoft Support to sort out the problem. The secondary issue is that I have paid for programs that are fully functional, but apparently MS says that you now can't use them.

Answer 4

Last post: Still no how idea how to chat/email Microsoft. Still receive message "The email you enetered doesnt exist... " ie the email I'm using for this post. Likewise if I use the login associated with Family 365 get the message "... personal email addresses don't work here ...enter school account"

The good news. Was able to install Office Professional 2010 so now have access to Outlook with POP3 and pst files.

Not so sure news: When I was trying to install Office (Professional) Office (Home and Student) downloaded and installed, but not by anything that I instigated. It's when I attempt to use Outlook that I get the two preceding messages.

My tech-savvy son has abandoned Windows and bought himself a Mac. I now know why.