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There are two types of activation methods for Microsoft Office 2010: Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and Key
Management Service (KMS). Your system administrator can tell you which type of activation you must do.
If you do not have a system administrator, most likely you must activate by using MAK.
If you must activate by using MAK, you must get a MAK key or your administrator must give you a MAK
key.
If you must activate by using KMS, your administrator must troubleshoot the KMS host and your computer.
NOTE The Change Product Key link can also be found by clicking the File tab, and then clicking
Help.
2. If you select the Attempt to automatically activate my product using the Internet check box,
6. If you do not select the box to activate automatically, you are prompted to activate the next time
When you enter your valid Product Key, the Activation Wizard automatically runs and it gives you two
Activate by using the Internet The Activation Wizard automatically contacts the Microsoft
activation servers through your Internet connection. If you are using a valid Product Key that has not
already been used for the allowed number of installations, your product is activated immediately.
When you activate through the Internet, your product ID, derived from the installation Product Key,
and hardware information is sent to Microsoft, but this information is not used to identify or contact
you. For more information, see the Privacy Statement. A response, the confirmation ID, is sent back
to your computer to activate your product. If you choose to activate your product through the Internet
and you are not already connected, the wizard alerts you that there is no connection.
Activate by using the telephone You can telephone an Activation Center and activate your
IMPORTANT Activation Center numbers are not listed in this article, because there are many
numbers, and the correct number for you is based on several factors. Microsoft software can be
obtained under various licenses, including individual retail licenses, original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) licenses, and volume licenses. Telephone numbers vary by product license and
country/region. In step 2 of the Activation Wizard, use the telephone number provided to call the
Microsoft Activation Center. Telephone activation might take longer than activation through the
Internet. You should be at your computer when you call, and you should have your software Product
Key available.
1. In the Activation Wizard, select the country/region where you reside and where you
plan to use the product. The wizard provides one or more telephone numbers.
2. Call the Activation Center. The customer service representative asks you for your
installation ID, displayed on your screen, and other relevant information. After your installation
3. In the Activation Wizard, type the confirmation ID in the spaces provided at the
NOTE Microsoft Text Telephone (TT/TTY) services are available for individuals who are deaf or
hard of hearing. In the United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (800) 718-1599. From outside the
United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (716) 871-6859. TT/TTY service is only available in
English.
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If you are using Key Management Service (KMS) activation, ask your system administrator for help. KMS
activation occurs in the background. You do not have to do anything to activate. The error code in the
dialog box might provide a reason for why Office is not activated.
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2. Click Help.
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A unique Multiple Activation Key (MAK) key is given to each organization for each volume edition of
Microsoft Office 2010. Each computer must then activate once with the activation servers hosted by
Microsoft. Associated with each key is a count of the number of activations. For example, a MAK key for a
Microsoft Office 2010 product with 100 activations allows the organization to install the same key on
MAK is appropriate for organizations with computers that are not connected to the corporate network for
long periods of time, such as portable computers. For this to work, a MAK key must be installed instead of
the default KMS client key that is used in volume license editions of Microsoft Office 2010.
With MAK activation, there is no requirement to periodically renew activation. You must reactivate if
significant hardware changes are detected. In addition, you must request more activation allowances after
the number of activations passes the predetermined limit. You have to manage the installation of MAKs
and the potential need to manually activate systems by using a telephone when no Internet connection is
available.
No functionality is lost even if the licenses for MAK clients cannot be renewed. Upon successful activation,
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Key Management Service (KMS) allows product activations on the local network. This eliminates the need
for individual computers to connect to Microsoft for product activation. A computer is required to be
configured as a KMS host. The administrator has to enter a KMS host key for the KMS host. The KMS host
key has to be activated and connect once to Microsoft hosted servers for activation.
By default, the KMS client key has already been installed in volume editions of Microsoft Office 2010
programs. Computers running volume editions of Microsoft Office 2010 by using a KMS client key are
called KMS clients, and they connect to an organization's KMS host to request activation. No action is
required of the end user, and you do not have to enter a Product Key for KMS clients. The system
administrator must activate the KMS host with Microsoft and configure the KMS host. The KMS client can
If a KMS client cannot activate, the end user sees a notification dialog box 25 days after installation of
Microsoft Office 2010. If a KMS client has been absent from the network for longer than 180 days after
successful activation, the user sees unlicensed notifications and a red title bar when you start Microsoft
Office 2010. However, there is no functionality loss even if the licenses for KMS clients cannot be renewed.
The Microsoft Office 2010 KMS clients activate by connecting to a KMS host based on a client–server
topology. KMS clients can locate KMS hosts by using Domain Name System (DNS) or by setting the KMS
host name in the registry. KMS clients contact the host by using a remote procedure call (RPC). The
activation process is invisible to the end user and does not require any interaction.
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