Deactivate Product Key in Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac
Microsoft did not make it very easy to deactivate a product key for Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac.
This is probably because they also did not put any mechanism in place to stop you from installing your version of Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac on as many computers as you want.
I didn’t even mean to find this out and, after purchasing 5 different copies, I mistakenly used the same serial on 3 different computers and have not received any errors when working in the program simultaneously.
I didn’t want to be in violation of my service agreement with Microsoft so I decided to deactivate the serial from 2 of those 3 computers.
After a great deal of searching with my incredible Google skills I found the only way to deactivate a serial in Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac.
Removing License Files for Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac:
- In the Finder, click Go, and then click Computer.
- Open your hard drive. For example, Macintosh HD.
- Open the Library folder.
- Open Preferences folder.
- Select the file com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist and move it to Trash.
These instructions were taken directly from the Microsoft website so I don’t think there is any easy way to accomplish the same task. The website also has more detailed information if you’re look to completely remove Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac from your system.
About Anson Alexander
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Have you confirmed that this works by installing and activating Office on enough other machines to test the license limits? I don't see how deleting that file communicates the fact of deactivation to Microsoft. I can see how it would make the app stop working on the mac. But it may not prevent getting error messages when trying to activate a copy on another machine.
No, Microsoft did not make it easy. Totally frustrating as usual. Thanks for any additional light you can shed on this.
i'm so glade i can use Microsoft again its been a while since i used it. thank you
It did not work for me…….
Thank you for this. I'm really having difficulties installing my new Office 2011-as I purchased it awhile ago and it was an illegal copy (unbeknown to me until after I bought it!). I had to uninstall that version and purchase a new one. Never purchase from an online store, if it's not direct from microsoft.com-their support guy told me that. I uninstalled it and purchased a new copy of the software, but I couldn't figure out how to get rid of that illegal Product Key Code! This really helps!!
Now, if microsoft's get key code website would just work, I could install the new one!!!
Thanks!
I downloaded the trial version of Microsoft Office and when it expired i tried this option and it didnt work for me. What should i do? Does anyone have a product key that i can use? Or does anyone know of a way that i will be able to use MS Office for free?
If I deactivate the product key on my old computer can I use it to activate Microsoft office on my new computer?
It didn't work for me either
Hmmm to bad ….
Worked for me! Thanks!
Awesome! That worked for me thanks!
This did not work for me
Pls someone help on this.
OS version : 10.7.3
Will this effect any other Microsoft programs that are on the computer…i.e. Entourage or previous versions of Word. Excel, etc.?
Hi,
You cannot deactivate Office 2011 from a computer. it simply cannot be done. Removing that file the OP mentioned is not deactivating it. I've had endless conversations with MS tech support about this. Once you've activated as many times as your license allows that's it. you need to phone Microsoft if you want to put it on another Mac but they have never been able to do this for me.
This tip worked like a charm for me. Thanks for sharing.
Going into the Library folder removes the licensing from the current machine ( com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist.lockfile, com.microsoft.PlayReady.plist, com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist ) as can be seen by trying to run the software afterwards but does nothing to free up the license for another activation. I have found that if you wait 90 days between activation attempts you can again activate the software.
This is a load of crap. There has to be a deactivation feature.
If a disk fails , then microsoft thinks you should buy a new licence?
If you buy a new computer, buy a new licence?
They have lost their minds. Typical Microsoft Crap as usual.
Jay,
I also think it is pretty ridiculous – if your computer dies, go ahead and install Microsoft Office and when it comes time to activate, click on the "activate by phone" link and it will give you a phone number to call, direct you to India and they can add an additional license to the product you have if you explain your situation to them.
Yes, it is the typical Microsoft BS…
Hope it helps!
- Anson
Dear friends, just today i installed tha microsoft office 2011 on my mac but in trial version for a month so how can i free activate? any body can help me? plz plz plz