How to Enter a Product Key for Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a popular word processing program from the Microsoft Office software suite. A 25-character product key is required for Microsoft Office licensing. However, Microsoft allows a user to evaluate the programs before purchasing the product key. You may run Microsoft Word up to 25 times without entering the product key. After this trial period, the program goes to a reduced functionality mode that lacks many features--document saving, for example. Use the Word Office menu to enter the product key and restore the program's full functionality.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Word.

2. Click the "Office" button in the program window; the Office button is in the upper left corner.

3. Click "Word Option" at the bottom of the Office menu. Then choose the category "Resources."

4. Click the button "Activate."

5. Enter the 25-character product key in the prompt field; then click the "OK" button to activate Microsoft Word. Note that this key also will activate any other Microsoft Office programs installed on the computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet before entering the product key.

References

• Microsoft Office Support: Enter the Product Key for your 2007 Office system program
• "Word 2007 For Dummies"; Dan Gookin; 2006

Resources

• Word Help and How-to