Since the official release of Office 2013 a few weeks ago, there has been a lot of talks around the web on how Microsoft is handling the new installation rights for the suite. And today, the software giant is explaining a little more on this issue.

According to a new article at the Office News site, Microsoft’s Javon Fark, marketing manager for the Office Division clarified that Office 2013 inherits the same installation rights as the Product Key Card (PKC) found in Office 2010 (refer to the image above). In other words the product key is only good for one PC. However, Fark notes:

“In the event that a customer buys the Office 2013 software and installs it on a PC that fails under warranty, the customer can contact support to receive an exemption to activate the Office 2013 software on the replacement PC.”

customer can contact support to receive an exemption to activate the Office 2013

The statement does offer some clarification and assures that if your computer breaks, you can reinstall Office 2013 or Office 365 in a new PC, but the license still tie to one PC and it’s non-transferable. If we recall from the previous version, Office 2010 allowed up to three installations of the Home and Student version, two installations of the Home and Business, and Professional versions and most importantly they all came with transfer rights.

Clearly Microsoft wants you to use Office 365, which is the new yearly subscription based model. It allows you to install the suite on up to five devices (Windows or Mac) and you can easily activate and deactivate an installation without any restrictions, that is, of course, as long you keep the limit of 5 installs. But if you are just looking for a stand-alone version, Office 2010 still offers the best benefits.

Source Office News via Neowin

Microsoft’s Office suite of productivity tools often comes pre-installed on Windows computers in trial form. While this is convenient for users looking to immediately get started with their new PCs, it can create trouble for those attempting to fix damage that occurred in a hard drive crash. Since there’s no reason to include an install disc when the software comes packaged into the operating system, re-installing the Office suite requires an alternative approach than simply sticking discs in the tray and following on-screen instructions.

Step 1

Locate your Microsoft Office product key. If Office came with your PC, you’ll find the product key printed on a small sticker somewhere on the PC’s case. Write down the product key on a notepad so you’ll be able to access it with ease.

Step 2

Navigate to the Microsoft Office backup download website (see Resources). Click “Go to My Account.”

Step 3

Enter your Microsoft account details (or create a new account). The “Office Products” portion of your Microsoft account provides access to all activated Office licenses. If you haven’t activated your license previously, you’ll need to do so now. On the “Office Products” screen, select “Activate Office Now.”

Step 4

Enter the product key you found on your PC case. Click “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete registration.

Step 5

Return to the “Office Products” screen. If you have successfully added your Office license to your account, you’ll see an “Install” button next to your current version of Office. Click this button to start the download process.

Double-click the downloaded Office install file to start your re-installation. Once the installer finishes, you’ll be able to use Office just as you did before your hard drive failure.

Tips

• If you’re unable to locate your Office product key, contact Microsoft’s “Accounts and Billing” support experts (see Resources). They can walk you through locating a key or provide you with a new one if you have proof of purchase.
• Each Microsoft Office license allows for installations on up to five separate computers. If you have used your key too many times due to multiple installs and crashes, a Microsoft support expert can assist you in transferring your license to the new hard drive.

Warning

• Information in this article applies to Microsoft Office 2013 and Windows 8. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.

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