Friday, May 30, 2008

Remove and reenter the Mac Office 2008 product key

This is needed after you have installed Mac Office 2008 SP1

Remove and reenter the Mac Office 2008 product key
If your copy of Office 2008 was installed with an invalid product key, or if you mistakenly used the same product key to install Office 2008 on more than one computer, you must remove the invalid product key and enter a valid product key to use Office 2008.

(1) In the Finder, select /Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/OfficePID.plist
, and then on the File menu, click Move to Trash.

(2) Select /Users/yourusername/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist
, and then on the File menu, click Move to Trash.

(3) On the Apple menu, click Restart.

(4) After your computer restarts, open any Office 2008 application.

(5) The Office Setup Assistant opens.

(6) Accept the software license agreement, and then enter your valid product key.




20 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks! Much Needed!

Anonymous said...

Did not work for me. It keeps coming back with the old key. Any other suggestions?

Anonymous said...

Thank you.. This really works gr8..

Anonymous said...

There are 15 other articles on various blogs etc, and even Mactopia, relating to this annoying problem (its especially annoying as it's clear inside the box what you were SUPPOSED to have done) but this is the ONLY ONE that works, and is in simple enough English to follow!! BRAVO and thanks a lot!!

Anonymous said...

I was on my 4th install and starting to go a little bonkers! Thanks for saving my sanity!

Peter Nixey said...

Thank you, that worked a charm!

Chenagw said...

thanks i try it

Unknown said...

I followed your instructions but didnt work. should i empty my trash before restart?

Lou Smith said...

This will help I'm sure - but I cannot find the /Users .plist>?!? Any ideas? Thanks

Anonymous said...

Louise go to your HD then users and follow the path to find .plist. mine was already deleted so yours might be as well. Worked great thanks!!!

Nathan said...

there's actually an easier way to do this... just open up the .plist file and change the product key inside the file using textedit, and file save

Anonymous said...

Went through the Microsoft support center where they claim to have free support that will resolve most issues within 15 mins. Anything beyond that would be a charged session for $$. Tried twice and got the runnaround. Google and found your blog! Solved problem within less than 5 mins while the support line tried to charge me and gain access to my computer. Microsoft is sucking us dry it think. Maybe to help pay the $290 million to canadian company next month. Below is the excerpts from support group. LOL!

Jack [08:56]: Welcome to OmniTech Support. We will be offering you 15 minutes of free chat support for Microsoft Office products. We’ve been solving more than 50% of the issues during these free periods. If your particular issue is more complex and can’t be fully resolved within the free 15 minutes, then we will have to charge you to resolve the issue in those cases. I am reviewing your issue now.
christopher bruce [08:56]: bought new mac and transferred info from old mac. wont let us use the office program on new computer. have an additional key not being used. Suggestions as to steps needed to be taken...
Jack [08:57]: Hi Christopher. This is Jack.
christopher bruce [08:57]: hi
Jack [08:57]: Could you please confirm if you have the Office installation CD?
christopher bruce [08:58]: yes
[09:00]: yes
[09:02]: are we still connected?
[09:03]: is there anybody out there? i know its xmas eve but we have a problem that needs to be solved. many jobs are counting on this information...
[09:05]: i spent alot of money on microsoft products this year and am looking for a legal way to solve my problem. i know what to do that is illegal and will not resort to that. help????
[09:05]: Jack?
[09:06]: Jack?
[09:06]: Let me take a guess, when the timer hits 15 minutes you will be back?
[09:07]: Do I need to take a screenshot and post this to youtube and associated press?
[09:10]: Doing so now. As there is no response. I just pinged your ip address and signal. There is no problem with connectivity. I am extremely disappointed with customer service and omnitech. This issue should have been solved by now an in a timely manner.

Chris Alders said...

Cheers! Worked like a charm..

Anonymous said...

great thank you! very helpful !

Anonymous said...

does this works if you wana transfer your office from macbook to another?

Unknown said...

thanks this article works for me...

Anonymous said...

Very helpful! :D

Anonymous said...

What if it users/ user_name/ library doesnt exist? there is no library in my user name file

SLS said...

You're a Superstar ! Works a treat. Thankyou very much. Very easy to do and has saved me hours of stress exploring other options.