Genuine Microsoft Office is published by Microsoft, properly licensed, and supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.
This page contains important information to help you activate and validate Office.
Activation is an anti-piracy technology that checks to see if your product key is being properly used based on the software license associated with it. Office must be activated with a valid product key. Product activation is required for all licenses that are purchased through retail distribution. If you purchased a new computer from a personal computer manufacturer, you may have to activate the Microsoft software on that computer. However, some computer manufacturers may activate the Microsoft software in the factory. Activation is not required for Microsoft Office products purchased through Volume Licensing.
Learn more about activating Office 2007. For Office 2003 activation, click here.
Research shows that obtaining and using counterfeit software exposes you to security risks, including viruses and spyware. Whereas activation is a required process by which Microsoft determines whether or not your product key is being properly used based upon the software license associated with it, validation is the process of confirming that your copy of Office has been properly activated. These technologies are designed to help Microsoft make software piracy harder and to help protect consumers and businesses from the risks of counterfeit software. Learn more about genuine validation for Office.
Office Genuine Advantage Notifications is a program that helps Microsoft fight software piracy and helps you validate that Microsoft Office installed on your PC is genuine.
By confirming that Office installed on your PC is genuine, you can take advantage of all the capabilities, support, and continuous improvements that come with using genuine Office. If Office is not genuine, OGA Notifications will provide periodic reminders to help you take appropriate action. It's part of Microsoft's commitment to fight piracy and to protect customers and partners from counterfeit software. Learn more about Office Genuine Advantage Notifications.
