Microsoft software?

coowee

Hello,
I have a bit of a problem... My laptop has been returned to factory settings and now I find my Microsoft Office is missing. As this came as a freebie when I bought my laptop in 2011 Microsoft cannot help me as I do not hold a product key.

I'm in my late sixties and even though I don't need to use the software much this days I do need it to open my files which are back up on external drive either in word or excel "it might as well be lock in a safe with no key to open it"

I've done a search to see if I could buy the cd - even looked as far back as 2003, but apparently Microsoft have stopped issuing CD and now when you do buy your software a yearly subscription is expected as well!

So... what do I do next! - I know I already miss Word and Excel but if I have to do without it then that's fair enough- BUT how do I open my saved files without it costing me pounds

enfield_freddy

install a free alternative to microsoft office (yes free!) there are several around , I have used open office with sucsess , heres a link http://sourceforge.net/projects/openofficeorg.mirror/


if you do not like it , you can remove it and try alternate

Neil49

Download Libre Office or Open Office for free. The only problem you may have is with any macros in your excel spreadsheets.

https://www.libreoffice.org

NiftyDigits

You have a private message with instructions.

gjchester

coowee wrote: »

Hello,
I have a bit of a problem... My laptop has been returned to factory settings and now I find my Microsoft Office is missing. As this came as a freebie when I bought my laptop in 2011 Microsoft cannot help me as I do not hold a product key.

The advice about Open Office is probably the best but if you bought Office in 2011 then you should have product key supplied somewhere in the paperwork, to sell it without would violate Microsoft's terms.

It may be on a cardboard disc case, or in a more formal retail pack.

It is extremely unlikely it would have been a freebie as such. Office is never free, however it may have been built in to the cost of the laptop, and it may be possible to ask the seller for product key details.

coowee

Thank you GJChester
After reading your reply I had another look on my receipt and YES it is listed as Home and Student and i have even found the Key!

After registering and signing on to Microsoft "which I have never done until the last couple of days" I tried to reactivate my key number with no success.
Of cause I know now this wouldn't have worked as Curry's would have used a different signing on details when they install everything else on my laptop.

Now Iwill be taking it back to them as I'm cover with KNOWHOW and see if they can restore it back for me.

Thank you for the nudge in the right direction

enfield_freddy

you are still paying for "KNOWHOW" for a machine you bought in 2011?


I hope you have had your monies worth


"and see if they can restore it back for me." they will say its obsolete and try to sell you the new version

NiftyDigits

coowee wrote: »

Thank you GJChester
After reading your reply I had another look on my receipt and YES it is listed as Home and Student and i have even found the Key!

After registering and signing on to Microsoft "which I have never done until the last couple of days" I tried to reactivate my key number with no success.
Of cause I know now this wouldn't have worked as Curry's would have used a different signing on details when they install everything else on my laptop.

Now Iwill be taking it back to them as I'm cover with KNOWHOW and see if they can restore it back for me.

Thank you for the nudge in the right direction

No need to 'register and re-activate'. You just install the software and enter the key when requested.

Just enter your Product key here or here to obtain the software for re-installation.

I too am 'surprised' that you are paying KnowHow four years later..

droopsnoot

Also note that you can get Office viewers from Microsoft if all you need to do is open files that have already been created such as those on your backup drive, and not edit or create them. Sounds as if that won't be an issue here.