# MS Office key code

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 12, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443 "2020-11-12T16:50:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/1 "2020-11-12T16:50:31Z")

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I use MS Office Home and Student Version which I paid for. I need to re-install it but I need the key code first. Can anyone tell me if it’s stored on my computer or how I can find it please.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/2 "2020-11-12T17:34:41Z")

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I don’t have that version, so apologies if this doesn’t help. But in my version, I go to File and click Account at the bottom. Then click About Word (or whatever program you’re in) and it shows the license ID.

If you’ve registered with Microsoft, you might also be able to do it by clicking Change License, which accesses your account. That button might be something different like “add license” if you haven’t entered one yet.

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**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/3 "2020-11-12T20:07:12Z")

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If all else fails, download, install and run Belarc Advisor ([Belarc Advisor - Belarc, Inc.](https://www.belarc.com/products_belarc_advisor)). It’s free and will retrieve all the license keys of software installed on your computer.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/4 "2020-11-12T22:59:12Z")

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Thanks, guys. I’ll give it a try tomorrow.

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/5 "2020-11-13T00:40:42Z")

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How did you install it? If you used a disc then the disc packaging will have a sticker with the code. If you downloaded it the install file or image usually has the key right in the file name.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/6 "2020-11-13T12:09:00Z")

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It was a download.

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/7 "2020-11-13T12:29:37Z")

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What’s the name of the download file? I have several downloaded versions but not Home & Student. My Office 2016 file name looks like this:

Setup.x86.en-US\_ProPlusRetail\_xxxxx-N63H6-3RPXR-B6XR2-xxxxx\_TX\_PR\_act\_1\_.exe

(Key obscured)

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-office-key-code/925443/8 "2020-11-13T12:59:12Z")

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I tried both methods above and it looks as if I now have the code. Of course, I won’t know until I reset this computer and then try to download it.