Microsoft Office 2016 installation, MSDN?

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  1. Posts : 108
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Microsoft Office 2016 installation, MSDN?


    Hello,

    I purchased a "Microsoft Office Professional 2016 BRAND NEW Genuine w/USB 2PC Install" that came in a sealed Microsoft envelope with a Microsoft USB thumb drive and MS Office 2016 activation Key for 2 pcs.

    Each activation key in this MS Office 2016 product is separate and unique activation key for each MS Office 2016 installation. The activation key can be used to install MS Office 2016 onto a total of two PCs.

    It installed and activated without any problems onto my Windows 10 PC.

    However when I ran a VBS script - Office 2016 Client Software License Management Tool that shows

    * LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16ProPlusMSDNR_Retail edition

    PRODUCT ID: 00197-74981-07025-AA830
    SKU ID: 44984381-406e-4a35-b1c3-e54f499556e2
    LICENSE NAME: Office 15, OfficeInfoPathR_Retail edition
    LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 15, RETAIL channel
    LICENSE STATUS: ---LICENSED---

    ---------------------------------------
    PRODUCT ID: 00351-35019-05195-AA711
    SKU ID: 84832881-46ef-4124-8abc-eb493cdcf78e
    LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16ProPlusMSDNR_Retail edition
    LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 16, RETAIL channel
    LICENSE STATUS: ---LICENSED---

    ---------------------------------------
    PRODUCT ID: 00217-40000-00000-AA966
    SKU ID: ba3e3833-6a7e-445a-89d0-7802a9a68588
    LICENSE NAME: Office 15, OfficeSPDFreeR_PrepidBypass edition
    LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 15, RETAIL(Free) channel
    LICENSE STATUS: ---LICENSED---
    ERROR CODE: 0x4004FC05 (for information purposes only as the status is licensed)
    ERROR DESCRIPTION: The Software Licensing Service reported that the application has a perpetual grace period.

    What is this installed version of MS Office 2016? A MSDN subscription version that only legal to install under a MSDN prescription?

    I contacted Microsoft support via chat providing them with the MS Office activation key and results from the vbs script and also gave them permission to investigate my Windows 10 PC MS Office 2016 installation remotely. MS support told me that they couldn't find anything wrong with the installation even after I told them I wasn't part of any MSDN subscription.

    However I think their online support is for only MS Office consumer versions and they just don't have any information about MSDN, Volume licensing, commercial business packages, etc.

    Anyway I'm wondering if this is legal to install on my home PC and that it requires some sort of MSDN subcription?

    I think it's odd as Microsoft doesn't have any installers and validation processes that discerns between different MS Office validation key types.

    The included Office 2016 Client Software License Management Tool (vbs script) does display license information for installed product keys as well as other information.
    I mostly upgraded MS Office to use Outlook under Windows 10, which I've been using since it first came out. I have Outlook 97 and 2002 and was previously running Window Mail under Vista before upgrading to a Windows 10 PC.

    Since I've been using Outlook and Windows Mail for so many years I don't really want to switch to another mail client.

    I found this 2pc version of Office for less than a new Office 2016 home and student version. However if it's an only MSDN prescription version I'm thinking of returning it and finding perhaps a earlier version of MS office so I can install and use the Outlook mail client under Windows 10.
    Last edited by albert1; 13 Aug 2018 at 17:01.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Please save the Office Software Protection Platform script to a text file with following command, enter the command exactly as shown here:

    cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus >%userprofile%\Desktop\Office.txt

    It saves license status on your desktop as Office.txt file.

    Run the command in an elevated Command Prompt from inside Office 2016 installation folder:
    • Office 2016 32 bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16
    • Office 2016 64 bit: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16

    Upload the TXT file here as an attachment, I will check it. There's some information missing from extract you posted, I would need to see the full report before saying anything for sure. Notice that the report does not contain any personal information, it is safe to post it.

    Kari

    Related Tutorials
    Office License Management Tool

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  3. Posts : 108
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Office.txt attachment


    Office.txt uploaded: office.txt
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    albert1 said:
    Office.txt uploaded[/ATTACH]
    First just to clarify: MSDN subscriptions is discontinued. Today, you get free Microsoft product downloads with a Visual Studio subscription. However, a lot of users still talk about MSDN downloads and keys, although today it is VS (Visual Studio) downloads and keys.

    Even Microsoft itself still uses acronym MSDN instead of VS for licensing purposes.

    OK, to the business. Yuo have two different Office 2013 (Office 15) licenses:

    - Office 15, OfficeInfoPathR_Retail edition

    This license is for Office InfoPath 2013. InfoPath is a discontinued product (last version released January 2013) but it still works and will work until end of support July 2026.

    - Office 15, OfficeSPDFreeR_PrepidBypass edition

    This is license for Microsoft SharePoint Designer, also a discontinued product. Last version was released in October 2012. SharePoint Designer is today practically a useless product, especially if you do not have a business or enterprise level Office 365 subscription and do not use SharePoint.

    SharePoint Designer was / is free.

    OK, then your Office 2016 (Office 16) license:

    - Office 16, Office16ProPlusMSDNR_Retail edition

    This is a VS (former MSDN) subscription product, and as such it is a so called NFR (not for resale) product. Microsoft has licensed it for personal use for the person who subscribes VS. According to EULA, Microsoft can any time both cancel that subscription and deactivate & blacklist all keys from it.

    Unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest users selling products they have no right to sell, like in this case.

    In your case, the product is if not illegal but at least invalid, something you shouldn't have bought, person selling it having no rights to sell it, person buying it having no rights to activate it.

    It might work for you forever, on the other hand it might get deactivated and your key blacklisted if this same person for instance sells too much of his / her NFR product keys for Office and Windows and in that way wakes Microsoft's interest.

    Short: Your Office 2016 Pro Plus product key and license is invalid, pirated VS subscription product. This is absolutely, completely clear without any doubt. In your case I would tell this to seller and demand my money back.

    Kari
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 108
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I contacted the seller and she agreed to refund my money. I need to send the usb flash drive with key code back to her.

    I don't think she actually knows what she selling as I was told the Windows 2016 product was furnished by her husband. She doesn't seem to be privy to MS licensing, etc.

    So I suspect some sellers really don't know what their selling as Microsoft have products they distribute with no labeling. Also MS's installers really don't verify who and where a product is installed. You would think MS would have some sort of verification such as some sort of subscription key. MS installs and validates all versions of Office using the same method.

    Anyway on the information you provided I'm going to return the product for a refund and try to find a less expensive Office so I can install Outlook. I don't really want to spend $150.00 for a mail client.

    Windows 10 Mail client left out alot of the standard features of it's past mail clients such as Windows Mail and Outlook. Perhaps to increase sales of MS Office?

    I don't really use the other Office programs such as Word and Excel.
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  6. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    albert1 said:
    I don't think she actually knows what she selling as I was told the Windows 2016 product was furnished by her husband. She doesn't seem to be privy to MS licensing, etc.
    We clearly have a different opinion. I will never (I repeat: NEVER!) believe that someone who was capable to put up an ad on eBay or any such site, to sell "original Office 2016" install media plus product key, does not know what he / she was doing.'

    You were purposely scammed. If you are lucky, you will get your money back because these scammers, when exposed, do not want you to go public- Personally, I am willing to make a bet with you: you will not get your money back.

    Anyway, I hope you do not misunderstand me. You fell for this scam, that has happened and can't be changed. I am not accusing you for anything. The seller on the other hand is in my opinion nothing more than a criminal who tried to make money out of something that is not for him / her to sell, for which he / she has no rights.

    I am sorry you lost some money, being quite sure you will not get it back. Personally, I would never even think to buy licensed software from a private seller. I might need to pay normal retail price when buying directly from manufacturer, but at least I would know I got a legal, valid product.

    Kari
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    It's stuff like this that IMHO, was what killed TechNet subscriptions. Or at least a big contributing factor. And likely inflates the cost of My Visual Studio subscriptions. Enterprise subscriptions as far as I know are not cheap. Some are likely selling keys they would never use to recoup some of the cost. Until they get caught and have all their keys blacklisted. A blatant violation of the terms and agreement. My Subscription is clearly and boldly marked (NFR), Not For Resale.
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  8. Posts : 108
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I agree there's alot of scamming going on in regards to PC's and software however imo Microsoft has been doing the opposite in keeping two different types of licensing separated from each other i.e. subscription vs consumer base stand alone software.

    Your saying MSDN no longer exists? if that's true then what happens to copies of existing software that's out there? MS Office 2019 will be available soon as a replacement to 2016 and earlier versions.

    I think Microsoft basically looks at all this from more of a profit perspective. If software has already been sold, (bought and paid for) or given away to qualifying institutions. I think MS feels it not worth the trouble to police the software going after individuals illegally selling MS softwares. How much would it cost MS in the long run in legal fees etc. to try to prosecute illegal and questionable sales? MS lawyers would also likely need to prove illegal intent and that a seller new what they were doing. Were probably talking alot of legal expenses (potentially into the hundreds of millions) all of which individuals or groups would need to be tried within certain jurisdictions around the world, each jurisdiction having different laws, treaties, etc. as well as International laws.

    Microsoft I think takes a perspective over long periods of time. How much even with all the illegal sales and piracy are they going to make in e.g. a 10 to 15 year period? When will profits decline and what software will be created to replace the old software to make future profit?

    I can't see why MS doesn't have additional authentication for software that's included with subscriptions and volume licensing? Why use the same activation processes? It appears Microsoft's activation makes no distinction between software that licensed for the consumer and that being sold as part of a subscription, volume licensing, students, educational purposes, etc.

    Anyway I don't know if this eBay seller is scamming or not. If she is aware of the licensing or not. Apparently she has an eBay store to help support three children on her own. But then again that could be a made up story?

    Link to eBay seller: https://www.ebay.com/usr/wanderlynch...72.m2748.l2754

    Link to her MS Office 2016 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-O...72.m2748.l2649

    She has already provided a Pay Pal refund and I need to return the MS Office 2016 back to her.
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  9. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #9

    MSDN was replaced by My Visual Studio Subscription. Basically its not much more than a name change. Any product codes I had requested just transferred over. I just log into a different site to access my subscription.
    Under my subscription I have Retail keys and MAK keys (Multi Activation Keys). My MAK keys are for use with Volume license editions like Enterprise. I don't have access to VL keys under my subscription. You can't activate Enterprise with a Retail key. Editions like Pro can be Retail or VL activated. It depends on the software what keys can be used.
    A large corporation may prefer to go with VL software so they can make use of Software Assurance. They pay per seat basically and if a new version of Windows or Office comes out, they can upgrade for free. The licenses are for so many instances of Windows and so many instances of Office. Something like that anyway. I don't know all the ins and out.
    On the consumer side you wouldn't normally be running any VL software, it would just cost you too much. There are subscription options for office etc though, if you want to go that route.

    VL activation will time out, its not a permanent one time activation. It has to connect to that companies KMS server at regular intervals and reactivate. There are checks and balances in place. We see it quit often here, "windows says it needs to be activated". Then you find out its Enterprise that "was" VL activated. VL installs are not allowed to be resold, said PC should have be wiped etc before being resold. Or its out right pirated.

    My Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription is a free no media included subscription that is given to Microsoft MVP's. Its so we can test the different versions of Windows etc, to offer help and support. That seller likely has the media included subscription. That's how they got hold of the Microsoft Branded thumb drives. That's my best guess anyway.
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  10. Posts : 108
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I think they should keep the difference licensing and activation separate. I don't want to mess with, care and have anything to do with MSDN, volume licensing, subscriptions, educational software etc.

    If the activation were separate would help solve the problem with idiots selling the wrong software that's development, marketing and licensing are for other and different type(s) of use.

    It shouldn't be the responsibility of the buyer to weed out illegit software and/or to have to pay for software with inflated pricing.

    Microsoft needs to keep the software licensing separate making it more difficult for people to cheat, as often the people behind making software available to sellers are often people who have something to do with and access to MSDN, volume licensing, subscriptions, educational software, etc.
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