Trials and Office Tribulations

Plugging in...

Microsoft is very cozy with many computer manufacturers. Some computer manufacturers include a trial version of Office on their computers when you buy them. A lovely little Office Trial icon sits on the desktop. All this, for your convenience, of course, or your confusion. Both Microsoft and the hardware vendors have neglected to educate the consumer as to how the trial version works, and how it can become a full working version, or how it can become a frustrating trial. Pun intended.

One unsuspecting client had a laptop with not ONE trial version on the laptop, but two, Office 2007 and Office 2010. Someone should have explained to the client that to make a full working copy of the trial software, a mere purchase of a product key (25 digit number) would be required - a key that matched the version of the Office trial product (there are several versions). Upon opening any program (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc) of the trial version for which the key was purchased, a prompt to type in the product key would appear. Still with me?

The Tutor's client purchased the product key AND the capability of downloading the Office 2010 Student/Teacher software, not realizing the trial software was already installed. Upon downloading the software, there were now THREE versions of Office on the computer. Three different versions: Business and Professional, Student/Teacher and Standard. The product key worked with the Standard edition. And we thought we were done... until the activation wizard popped up and claimed "the multi-product key had already been used". The Tutor's client had NEVER used the key because they didn't understand what they were supposed to do with it.

Up the stream without a paddle? Not yet. The Office activation wizard provides an option to activate by telephone. Upon selecting this option, the Tutor's client was allowed to proceed and was issued a new activation code - not to be confused with the product key.

To cleanup the confusing and excessive number of Office installations on the computer and really do this right, all versions of Office should have been uninstalled. Then a downloaded, fresh copy of the Office product which was PURCHASED (not a trial version) should have been installed, product key typed in and activated.

To avoid the trials and tribulations above, look at the computer FIRST to see if there is a trial version of Office on it. If there is, and it is the version desired, buy the PRODUCT KEY. One can buy a single or 3 installation key.

If it is NOT the correct trial version, UNINSTALL the Office trial version before buying the CD of the desired Office version. Install from the CD and when prompted, type in the product key which comes with the CD. You will later be prompted to activate the sofware.

It is the Tutor's strong suggestion to always purchase software on CD/DVD in case re-installation is required either on the same computer or a newly purchased one.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is there a TRIAL version installed, and is it turned on?

Unplugged