How to Change Microsoft Office Product Keys
Maybe you found out that you are using a pirated version of Microsoft Office, or perhaps your office purchased a new license so that the same version of Microsoft Office can be used on all of the business's computers. In either case, you do not need to uninstall the Office applications already on your computer and reinstall a new copy. Instead, simply change the product key from the old copy to the product key on the new version of Office.
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Instructions
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1
Close any open Microsoft Office programs. Right-click a blank area of the task bar and select "Task Manager." If any Office programs are listed on the "Processes" tab, click on the program and then click the "End Process" button. Close the Task Manager.
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2
Click the "Start Button" and then click on "Run." If you are using Windows Vista, type "Run" into the "Start Search" box and select "Run" from the list. Type "regedit" into the "Run" box and click "OK." The "Registry Editor" will open.
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3
Click the arrow to expand the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder. Expand the "Software" folder, the "Microsoft" folder and then the "Office" folder.
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Expand the folder that corresponds with the version of Office you wish to change. Office 2000 is "10," Office 2003 is "11" and Office 2007 is "12." Expand the "Registration" folder. Click on the registration key, which is a combination of letters and numbers between brackets. Click the "Delete" key to delete this product key.
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Close the "Registry Editor." Open any Microsoft Office program. Enter the new Microsoft Office product key when prompted.
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Tips & Warnings
Deleting or changing the wrong key in the Registry Editor can make Windows unstable or cause it to stop working. Do not edit the registry unless you are comfortable doing so.
