Microsoft Office 2010 | Microsoft Office Software

The following procedure describes how to edit the Microsoft Windows registry to remove the existing product key, which will enable the new key to be activated online with Microsoft. Incorrectly editing the Windows Registry can result in a variety of problems ranging from applications inoperable a complete failure of Windows to boot. This article assumes you are familiar with editing the registry. A qualified technical support should be consulted if this is not something that the reader is comfortable doing themselves.

Start the Registry Editor.
Go to the following key: HKLMSOFTWAREMICROSOFTOFFICE12.0REGISTRATION.
Export this key to use in case you have a problem and need to return to pre-existing configuration.
Inside the container logging, locate and delete the registry keys and ProductID DigitalProductID.

The next time you start any Microsoft Office application you are asked to register your activation key. Simply follow the instructions to complete registration. To check the registration status of their Microsoft Office products in Office 2007, click the Office button in the upper left corner of Microsoft Word, go to Word Options, click Resources, and click the button "Activate" in the section titled "Enable Microsoft Office." This button also allow you to manually register the software.


Depending on what flavor of the office you are registering, and that version, if any, pre-installed on the PC, you may receive notices of testing for unlicensed Office components to start the Office. If this happens, restart Microsoft Office the required number of times until the trial period and no longer receives the notice annoying!