Microsoft Office License (Upgrading HDD to SSD)

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Wulffz

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Hello,

Apparently when you upgrade your PC from an HDD to an SSD, Microsoft Office would ask for a product key again.
I just bought a laptop with Microsoft Office Professional on it and wouldn't want to lose that. Does anyone know for certain if they'll ask for your original product code or for a new one? If they ask for the original one, could someone explain to me how I could find the product key within my Microsoft Office Programs?

Thanks in advance
Tibo
 
Solution
If you clone from the HDD to the SSD, it will NOT ask for the license key.
If you do a clean install of the OS and Office, it will ask for the license key.

The original one will work.
Assuming you still have it installed on the original system, Belarc Advisor will retrieve that license key for you.

USAFRet

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If you clone from the HDD to the SSD, it will NOT ask for the license key.
If you do a clean install of the OS and Office, it will ask for the license key.

The original one will work.
Assuming you still have it installed on the original system, Belarc Advisor will retrieve that license key for you.
 
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Wulffz

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Oh Because I read something about Office asking for the license key again when you change hardware. Like MoBo or Storage Device. But if that isn't the case, then I can buy an SSD without having that fear. Office is still installed, yes. So I shouldn't have any issues. I'll try to retrieve the key just to be sure. :D

Thanks ALOT for you quick response!
 

rchris

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Dec 5, 2014
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Just a note: I have upgraded several PCs from an HDD to an SSD with a clean install, and have never been asked for a license key. The digital license activation works fine. But you're absolutely correct that you will need to re-enter the key for Office when you reinstall it (unless you clone it as stated above).
 

USAFRet

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If you reinstall that application (on a new drive) yes, it will ask for the license key again. As stated, the one you have will work no problem.

With a motherboard change, generally you are doing an OS reinstall as well. Which includes reinstall of your applications, like Office. Again, it will ask, and the original one is just fine.


And it is highly advisable to have all your license keys documented, for whatever software.
Just in case your drive dies and you do have to do a reinstall. If you didn't have that, retrieving it from a dead drive is impossible.
Run that Belarc Advisor, print it out, save that in a desk drawer. OS, Office, Adobe, just about anything else with a license key....it will find it.
 

nuttynut

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I wouldn't expect any trouble from Office, but I would be surprised if Windows doesn't need to be reactivated after changing drives. Reactivation can be simple, unless you're using an OEM license key (i.e., the one that came with your laptop). There are no guarantees in this type of situation.
 

USAFRet

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A clean install from changing drive will prompt a reactivation.
But if it is only a drive change, the original OS license will work. OEM or otherwise.
 

Wulffz

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True, I upgraded another laptop a year ago and it was an OEM key from the factory. No troubles at all. That's why I wasn't really worried about Windows :p
 

rchris

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A clean install will always ASK for the key, but you just skip past that screen and it will activate. It takes more than just a drive change to deny activation. That's been my experience several times; I guess YMMV.
 

nuttynut

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Good to know. I'm about to replace a drive for the first time myself.
 
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If you replace a SATA hard drive with a SSD and restored using an image copy, Office will detect the hardware change and ask you to activate again. If you purchased a single use license it cannot be activated online again. If phone support is no longer available you are SOL.
 
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