I'm so tired of Microsoft treating me like a criminal...

Trubbles said:

For years now, I have resented Microsoft perpetually treating me, a paying customer, like a criminal. I own XP, 2 copies of Win7 64 Ultimate, Office 2010, Office Mac 2011, amongst others.

The PITA of changing your licenses from old devices to new devices is painful.

This week, while trying to migrate from my old Air to my new 15" rMBP, everything went smooth (Thanks OSX) except Office, which wants to be reactivated. Upon trying to do that, I am rejected and told to call.

The call takes my 72 digit number (yes, 72 digits!) and after I type it all in, it asks me "For security measures, we require you to answer one additional question. How many computer is this license being used on?"

The answer is 3. I bought a "Home and Student family pack" that came with 3 licenses and I have it installed on exactly 3 computers. I want to "deactivate" my MacBook Air and use that license for my new MacBook.

So I punch in 3.

"Thank you for calling Microsoft. Goodbye."

Yes, that's right - it hung up up me!! I tried again. Same result. I tried again, and tried to see if there is an option to speak to a person. I had that experience in the past with Windows XP. Nope - no more live operators.

I googled "deactivate Office." Nothing. I checked Microsoft support. No chat, email or phone support for serial number related issues. Just a knowledge base.

What a bunch of BS. Makes me want to download it illegally as a big FU.

Now that I'm finished venting, does anyone know how to move an Office 2011 key to another Mac?

Click to expand...

Trubbles said:

For years now, I have resented Microsoft perpetually treating me, a paying customer, like a criminal. I own XP, 2 copies of Win7 64 Ultimate, Office 2010, Office Mac 2011, amongst others.

The PITA of changing your licenses from old devices to new devices is painful.

This week, while trying to migrate from my old Air to my new 15" rMBP, everything went smooth (Thanks OSX) except Office, which wants to be reactivated. Upon trying to do that, I am rejected and told to call.

The call takes my 72 digit number (yes, 72 digits!) and after I type it all in, it asks me "For security measures, we require you to answer one additional question. How many computer is this license being used on?"

The answer is 3. I bought a "Home and Student family pack" that came with 3 licenses and I have it installed on exactly 3 computers. I want to "deactivate" my MacBook Air and use that license for my new MacBook.

So I punch in 3.

"Thank you for calling Microsoft. Goodbye."

Yes, that's right - it hung up up me!! I tried again. Same result. I tried again, and tried to see if there is an option to speak to a person. I had that experience in the past with Windows XP. Nope - no more live operators.

I googled "deactivate Office." Nothing. I checked Microsoft support. No chat, email or phone support for serial number related issues. Just a knowledge base.

What a bunch of BS. Makes me want to download it illegally as a big FU.

Now that I'm finished venting, does anyone know how to move an Office 2011 key to another Mac?

Click to expand...

ericrwalker said:

Agreed, I don't think it's going to get any better though, and I have to do the call in thing quite often as well. I hate it, as long as people pirate it's probably not going to change though.

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APlotdevice said:

Or rather as long as corporations think these measures actually do anything to deter piracy.

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