Microsoft Tightens Office:mac Activation

Microsoft is enforcing a much more stringent activation method across its Office:mac 2011 products compared to the Windows version of Office aimed at reducing duplication and piracy of it software.

To activate Office:mac 2011, it now requires a 25 character alphanumeric activation key which has to be entered into the software within 15 days of running any of its application for the first time. Before the 15 days are up, the entire software package  can be used as if it’s been activated but by the 15th day, if it has yet to be activated, it will lock itself and become useless.

On Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows, activation needs to be done within 30 days and failing to activate the suite will force the suite to become little more than a simple file reader. While users won’t be able to perform edits to documents or print them, the software will at least open them and lets the user read it. Not so with the Mac version.

To make matters worse, Microsoft has halved the number of Macs that you can install Office on. Previously the Home and Student edition of the suite provides you with three license keys that can be installed on two computers each, one desktop and one notebook, making a total of six Macs. Now, Office:mac 2011 Family Pack only has one license key that can be installed on a maximum of three computers.

Microsoft defends this policy by saying, “Microsoft Product Activation tries to reduce counterfeit software, and to make sure that Microsoft customers receive the software quality that they expect”

Unfortunately it means more troublesome and more expensive licensing requirements for those who want to go legit.