MS Office Product Key version - NO disc

[AZ-Tax]

So, what happens if I need to restore my PC by reloading my apps and I dont have a disk?

[Gary2]

I'm not sure what you mean by "product key version." Don't all versions require a product key?

Or do you mean a pre-installed trial version, for which you purchased the full version and only received a product key to unlock it? If that's the case, then any time I've gotten a laptop with pre-installed software, there's always been either a way to order a backup disk set from the laptop manufacturer, a mechanism for burning your own backup set, or a separate partition that can be used to restore the system to factory state and for which you can use other software to backup the partition.

If that isn't it, then I suggest checking at Microsoft's online support pages. They're usually pretty good with questions like this. You may be able to download your version. Alternatively, many manufacturers will ship replacement CDs/DVDs at a nominal cost if you've registered it or can prove you own a licensed copy and lost the original disks.

Finally, you could view this an an opportunity to try out the free OpenOffice suite instead.

[oceanlovin'ea]

I figured out this would be a problem before I ordered my new version of MS Office. If you have the disk and you have to restore your computer, you have no problem.
If you just purchase the product key (which means that instead of sending you the disk, they just provide you with the information to enter when it is required in the installation process), I believe I was told that you could use the product key either only once or maybe one other time.
You will have to call Microsoft and tell them what has happened. They may be able to work out a solution for you.
That is why you don't ever buy the product key.

Linda, EA

[Koss]

Download?

If you have MS Office 2010, you may be able to download a trial version from the Microsoft Office website. The trial version is fully functional, but only works for 30 days. This downloaded version may accept your product key, if the downloaded version is the same version as the product you purchased, e.g., is it Home & Office, Home & Student, Professional, etc.

If the key doesn't work, or you have an earlier version of MS Office, you may need to contact Microsoft, or, as Gary noted, if MS Office came "bundled" with your PC, you may need to contact the PC manufacturer.

BMK

[Koss]

Product Key

Using the product key a second time, on the same PC, may or may not be a problem. MS Office recognizes unique ID numbers that are burned into the PC, and this information is used to prevent the same key from being used to install the program on multiple PCs.

If you change out the hard drive, then that can definitely cause problems, because the software thinks it's a different PC. But if you are just doing a system restore, it may not be an issue.

If it is a problem, Microsoft should be able to solve it by providing a new key, or "resetting" the old key.

BMK

[AZ-Tax]

$159 Staples and I have $25 coupon for over $75 purchase

http://www.staples.com/Microsoft-Office-Home-and-Business-2010-(Product-Key-Card)/product_866153