Office 2013 retail is tied to 1 machine forever

pparks1

Well-Known Member
VIP Member
Guru
Messages
3,658
Location
Westland, MI
We have started to discuss this in this thread, but I think it's important enough to have it's own thread.
http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...nch-new-office-commercially-january-29-a.html


So, Office 2013 retail is tied to the 1 computer that you install it on and it cannot be moved to another computer. (It's like an OEM license now). This is not a rumor, you can find details on this from a ton of sites, including Wikipedia;

Microsoft Office 2013 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Retail copies of Office 2013 are tied to a single computer forever | Geek Pick | Geek.com
http://winsupersite.com/office-2013/office-2013-gotcha-standalone-products-are-one-pc-only

As Paul Thurrott's WinSuperSite says, the standalone products are not a very good deal anymore and Microsoft is trying to force it's hand into making you use Office 365 instead and get subscription revenue.


This also means that the 2013 Home and Student version cannot be installed onto 3 computers like previously. In fact, you cannot install it on a destkop and a laptop for the same user....as you have always been able to do with Office.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I think Libre Office is going to get a substantial boost over this decision. It seems that everything Microsoft is going to be a subscription model. And how much will eventually be tied into 'the cloud', whether you want it to be, or not?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
I just downloaded and installed LibreOffice onto my desktop (I have it on my notebook with Mint) to see how it works. The one thing that hit me was the toolbar, everything that one commonly uses is right there in easy to find cascading menus. After years of using the Office Ribbon, I sometimes still struggle to find what I'm looking for, even with often simple things.

I opened up an Excel file and it seems to have come across perfectly. LibreOffice doesn't have the eye candy of Microsoft Office, but it's not bad. I will have to play with it to see how well it works overall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Here's something else I noticed about Office 365 from this (UK version) page here:
System Requirements for Office 365

Note the support dates for Vista.
Support Ending
Windows Server 2003 on January 1, 2013
Windows XP on January 1, 2014 (currently requires SP3)
Windows Vista on January 1, 2014 (currently requires SP2)

Now Vista itself is still in support for a while after 1 January 2014 (even XP support goes a few months into 2014).

So this raises the possibility that you have Office 365, and an Operating System in support, but because of the non-perpetual licence of Office 365, it just stops working until you upgrade the OS. Not good.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Well, Office 365 isn't even supported on Vista. Look at the list of OS's supported


  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7
  • Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.7 (Lion)
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2008
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Well, Office 365 isn't even supported on Vista. Look at the list of OS's supported


  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7
  • Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.7 (Lion)
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2008

Mac OS X isn't supported on Office 2013.
Capture.PNG
Anyway, this will bring more users to Libre and Open Office.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7
hi PPARKS,

well, not exactly. You can install Office 2013 on ONE computer X64 and on ONE laptop, which i am going to do.

Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
hi PPARKS,

well, not exactly. You can install Office 2013 on ONE computer X64 and on ONE laptop, which i am going to do.

Jeff

Jeff,

I would suggest to you that you go out and look at the new licensing terms. That is what you USED to be able to do with prior versions of Office, but that has changed with Office 2013.

Here is a link right from the Microsoft forums discussing this very topic. The answer: Either buy 2 licenses or better yet, use Office 365 instead.

Office 2013 - Installing on my Desktop and Laptop? - Microsoft Community

And had you read the links that I posted above, notably the one from Paul Thurrott on the Windows Supersite, you would have clearly seen this concept dispelled.

However, others—including most notably The Age, whose Adam Turner did some serious legwork to uncover the truth—have reported on the more explicit terms that exist in the Office 2013 license agreement, compared to those of its predecessors. Retail versions of Office 2010 allowed the users to “install another copy of the software on a portable device for use by the single primary user of the licensed device.” “OEM” versions of Office 2010, that is, copies of Office acquired with a new PC, did not allow for this usage; those versions of Office 2010 were tied to the PC on which they arrived.
With Office 2013, Microsoft is using the “OEM” licensing terms for retail versions of the product as well, or what is now called a “non-transferable license” or “perpetual license.” “You may not transfer the software to another computer or user,” the new license warns. According to Microsoft, “each retail copy of Office 2013 carries a one-device license. Once users install the software on a single PC, it can only ever be used on that one device.” And no, you cannot install second copy of the software on a portable device, like a laptop, as you could in the past.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
We have started to discuss this in this thread, but I think it's important enough to have it's own thread.
http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...nch-new-office-commercially-january-29-a.html


So, Office 2013 retail is tied to the 1 computer that you install it on and it cannot be moved to another computer. (It's like an OEM license now). This is not a rumor, you can find details on this from a ton of sites, including Wikipedia;

Microsoft Office 2013 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Retail copies of Office 2013 are tied to a single computer forever | Geek Pick | Geek.com
http://winsupersite.com/office-2013/office-2013-gotcha-standalone-products-are-one-pc-only

As Paul Thurrott's WinSuperSite says, the standalone products are not a very good deal anymore and Microsoft is trying to force it's hand into making you use Office 365 instead and get subscription revenue.


This also means that the 2013 Home and Student version cannot be installed onto 3 computers like previously. In fact, you cannot install it on a destkop and a laptop for the same user....as you have always been able to do with Office.

At first glance, I figured this must be hysteria. I was wrong.

Microsoft Software License Agreement - Office.com

One PC. Not movable to a different PC in the future. It's surprisingly clear and unambiguous for a Microsoft EULA.

It was clear that they really wanted us to move to the lease model (Office 365). Now it seems that they really, really, want us to go with the lease.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
I would do my best to not post hysteria.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I would do my best to not post hysteria.

I apologize for the insult. It's not much more polite to suggest irrationality than to accuse someone of lying.

I guess I couldn't handle the truth.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
I would do my best to not post hysteria.

I apologize for the insult. It's not much more polite to suggest irrationality than to accuse someone of lying.

I guess I couldn't handle the truth.

LOL, no offense taken sir. I was shocked myself. I don't think Office 365 is a bad deal at all, but this licensing change for the retail copy was really shocking. And the fact that it was only quietly being discussed was also shocking.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I opened up an Excel file and it seems to have come across perfectly. LibreOffice doesn't have the eye candy of Microsoft Office, but it's not bad. I will have to play with it to see how well it works overall.

On the Ubuntu forums, folks are constantly complaining about how the ".docx" format doesn't work well in LibreOffice.

This could simply be a Linux version problem.
 

My Computer

I opened up an Excel file and it seems to have come across perfectly. LibreOffice doesn't have the eye candy of Microsoft Office, but it's not bad. I will have to play with it to see how well it works overall.

On the Ubuntu forums, folks are constantly complaining about how the ".docx" format doesn't work well in LibreOffice.

This could simply be a Linux version problem.

I've now tested LibreOffice 4 (Windows version) with all of my documents and everything works fine, .docx, .pptx etc. The only thing I didn't test was the database, as I haven't used one for ages, so nothing stored. If I still had a very early version of Office, there wouldn't seem to be any reason not to move across to LibreOffice.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Sounds like a very good reason to stay with Office 2007/2010. Or I can even go back as far as Office 4.3, if I wish to.
But this puts Office 2013 firmly into the 'don't want, won't touch' bin, AFAIC. No interest in Office 351 or whatever, either.
Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
According to the Microsoft activation specialist I talked with today, Office 2013 can be installed on another system in the event of a system crash and or system replacement. You would need to call Microsoft if the activation fails on the second install (to a new or replacement system). They would then provide you with the information required to be able to activate the software again (provided your reason for doing so was valid).

This is no different then how a 2010 key card product ID/license works now. I have "moved" more than one copy of Office 2010 when a system has crapped out or been stolen. 2013 is no different in this regard. Microsoft is not tying the license to one and only one machine forever, but is much stricter about re-activation of a particular product ID used during the install.

If Microsoft decided to lock the 2013 license to a particular system, and it was stolen, the ability to install the 2013 product to the replacement system has to be allowed for. It is ridiculous to think a company would not allow a $400 program to be installed one time on one system with no means of re-activation on another system ever.

If you have Office 2013 installed on your system, you can be assured that it can be re-activated again for valid reasons.

The wording in the license agreement is there to protect Microsoft and its rights to it's products, and is very restrictive towards the end user. Exceptions to the license agreement can be made by Microsoft at any time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Multiple
    CPU
    Multiple
    Motherboard
    Multiple
    Memory
    Multiple
    Graphics Card(s)
    Multiple
According to the Microsoft activation specialist I talked with today, Office 2013 can be installed on another system in the event of a system crash and or system replacement. You would need to call Microsoft if the activation fails on the second install (to a new or replacement system). They would then provide you with the information required to be able to activate the software again (provided your reason for doing so was valid).

This is no different then how a 2010 key card product ID/license works now. I have "moved" more than one copy of Office 2010 when a system has crapped out or been stolen. 2013 is no different in this regard. Microsoft is not tying the license to one and only one machine forever, but is much stricter about re-activation of a particular product ID used during the install.

If Microsoft decided to lock the 2013 license to a particular system, and it was stolen, the ability to install the 2013 product to the replacement system has to be allowed for. It is ridiculous to think a company would not allow a $400 program to be installed one time on one system with no means of re-activation on another system ever.

If you have Office 2013 installed on your system, you can be assured that it can be re-activated again for valid reasons.

The wording in the license agreement is there to protect Microsoft and its rights to it's products, and is very restrictive towards the end user. Exceptions to the license agreement can be made by Microsoft at any time.

Well that is not what the EULA says, it's not what all the tech sites say, it's not what the Microsoft forums say, etc.

I think I'd you had a computer and your mobo crashed and had to be replaced, they might make an exception. If however you buy a laptop to replace a desktop, they are going to say, "sorry you cannot do that, but we will happily sell you office 365 instead".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I agree with your statement you made about the EULA. I called to verify how I would re-activate the 2013 installs at my client sites (if there were issues with system replacements, upgrades, etc.) with my Microsoft account rep. He transferred me to the activation specialist I talked with today. The restrictive license is in place because even though many folks say they are moving an Office install to their "new laptop that replaced their desktop", most do not remove the software from the desktop to stay within the existing license terms anyway.

Reading the "tech" sites, most are reporting that the license "may" prevent "moving/re-installing" to a new system, and also that Microsoft "may" end up back pedaling on the restrictive nature of this license wording.

Until someone reports that Microsoft refuses to re-activate (for legitimate reasons) a bought and paid for copy of Office 2013, I stand by what I reported.

I'm sure that I'll be having to "move" a copy of Office 2013 soon enough. I'll report back here if I can't do it for any reason.

From one "tech" site"

"The response from Microsoft's public relations firm was simply, "Correct."
Another question asked whether, under the retail Office 2013 EULA, customers could move the suite -- and its license -- to a replacement PC when the original was lost, stolen or destroyed. Microsoft reply: "No comment.""

These comments were made by a Microsoft PR (Public Relations) firm, not from Microsoft tech support or licensing/activation specialists.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Multiple
    CPU
    Multiple
    Motherboard
    Multiple
    Memory
    Multiple
    Graphics Card(s)
    Multiple
I suppose that Microsoft might permit an office 2013 license to be activated on a new PC, even though the license agreement unambiguously says no. At the least, I'd expect them to have similar requirements to activating an OEM copy of Windows on a system that has been repaired.

I have read accounts that Microsoft has activated OEM copies of windows on PCs whose "repair" was a total hardware upgrade. Whether that involved prevarication by the PC owner, I can't say. Maybe Microsoft will be at least as forgiving with Office 2013 licenses.

Call me a stick-in-the-mud, but I'm inclined to take them at their word, when it is clearly defined.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
Stick in the mud here too. I take what they say as the truth, exceptions are just that. Not going to expect to be an exception.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Back
Top