Office 2016 Standard Volume License serial key or number

Microsoft Product Activation is a DRM technology used by Microsoft Corporation in several of its computersoftware programs, most notably its Windowsoperating system and its Officeproductivity suite. The procedure enforces compliance with the program's end-user license agreement by transmitting information about both the product key used to install the program and the user's computer hardware to Microsoft, inhibiting or completely preventing the use of the program until the validity of its license is confirmed.^[1]

The procedure has been met with significant criticism by many consumers, technical analysts and computer experts, who argue that it is poorly designed, highly inconvenient and ultimately does nothing to prevent software piracy.^[2] The process has been successfully circumvented on multiple occasions.^[3]

Process[edit]

Before activation[edit]

When installing a retail copy of Windows or Office, the user is asked to input a unique product key supplied on a certificate of authenticity included with the program, which is later verified during activation.^[1] Immediate activation is not required following installation, but the program must be activated within a specific period of time in order to continue to function properly. Throughout this grace period, the user will be periodically reminded to activate the program, with warnings becoming more frequent over time.^[4]

Certain versions of Windows and Office are available under a volume license, where a single product key is used for multiple installations. Programs purchased under this license must still be activated, with the exception of Windows XP and all versions of Office released prior to Office 2010.^[5][6][7][8] Businesses using this licensing system have the option of using Microsoft's activation servers or creating and managing their own.^[9]

If Windows is pre-installed on a computer by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the operating system is automatically activated without the need for interaction from the user.^[10] In this case, the copy of Windows installed does not use the product key listed on the certificate of authenticity, but rather a master product key issued to OEMs called a System Locked Pre-installation (SLP) key. On each boot, Windows confirms the presence of specific information stored in the BIOS by the manufacturer, ensuring the activation only remains valid on that computer, even if the product key is used on another machine.^[5]

After grace period[edit]

If activation is not performed within the grace period or fails because of an illegal or invalid product key, the following restrictions will be imposed on the user:

• In Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2003 R2, after a grace period of 30 days, the operating system cannot be used at all until the activation process is completed successfully.^[11][12]
• In Windows Vista RTM, after a grace period of 30 days, the operating system will boot only into a reduced functionality mode. The reduced functionality varies based on whether the operating system is simply out of grace or has undergone a failed activation. In the former case, built-in games and premium features like Windows Aero are disabled, and the system is rebooted every hour; in the latter case, certain premium features are disabled and some content is not available from Windows Update.^[13][14]
• In Windows Vista SP1, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2, after a grace period of 30 days (60 days for Windows Server 2008), the operating system will display the notice stating that the copy of Windows is not genuine and set the desktop background to black. This includes allowing only critical and security updates to be downloaded from Windows Update and giving periodic reminders to activate the operating system. However, the operating system otherwise functions normally.^{[4][13][15][16][17]}
• In Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2016, the 30-day grace period has been removed. If the operating system is not activated, there is a watermark showing the edition of Windows or a message telling the user to activate Windows on desktop. Personalization features such as changing the wallpaper are disabled. In Windows 8 and 8.1 notifications appear occasionally telling the user to activate. However, the operating system otherwise functions normally.^[18]
• In Office XP, Office 2003, Office 2007, Office 2010, and Office 2013, after a grace period of 30–60 days for Office 2010 and 14–60 days in Office 2013 or opening the program 25 times for Office 2007 and 50 times for Office 2003 and XP, the programs will enter a reduced functionality mode, where files can be viewed but not edited.^{[2][7][19][20][21]}

When activation takes place, the program saves a record of the verification data in the user's computer. If the system is booted up with significant hardware changes, the application will likely require reactivation to prevent the same copy of the program being installed on two different systems.^[22]

On Windows 10, the activation process can also generate a "digital entitlement", which allows the operating system's hardware and license status to be saved to the activation servers, so that the operating system's license can automatically be restored after a clean installation without the need to enter a product key.^[23][24]

During activation[edit]

Activation is performed with a utility supplied with Windows and Office called the Activation Wizard. It can be performed either over the Internet or by telephone.^[1] When activating over the Internet, the Activation Wizard automatically transmits and receives verification data to and from Microsoft servers, completing the process without any interaction by the user.^[25] Activation by telephone requires that a user and a Microsoft agent verbally exchange activation information. In this case, an installation ID is generated, which is then read to the agent. The agent verifies the information and replies with a confirmation ID, which is then typed into the Activation Wizard.^[25]

The Activation Wizard generates verification data primarily based on information about hardware in the computer. In Windows XP, information about the following ten categories of hardware is included:^[5]

Every time a PC is booted, Windows checks the hardware configuration against that which existed at the time of installation. From the above list, six or more items must change for the reactivation to be required. The position is complicated in that the network card MAC address is regarded as three items. Therefore, if the network card is not changed, a change to six or more other items will trigger a reactivation. If the network card is changed, then just three other changes will trigger a reactivation.

PCs that are considered dockable are treated more leniently as hardware will, by definition, regularly change. A dockable PC is one that is equipped with a docking port that connects to an expansion unit that features extra ports or hardware (these are usually ancillary units custom designed for some laptop PCs). A dockable PC is allowed three extra changes beyond a non-dockable PC before reactivation is required.

The verification data is also based on the product key entered during activation. In some cases, the product key is checked against a list of known illegally distributed keys.^[26]

Certain retail copies of Windows and Office sold in certain countries classified as emerging markets have geographical activation restrictions, which only allow the user to activate the product within the indicated region.^[27]

After activation[edit]

If activation completes successfully, the user can continue to use the application without any further issues or impediments. Also, if the key gets blacklisted, the application will continue to run as normal unless a clean install and activation is performed after its key has been blacklisted.

Usage[edit]

The following tables illustrate the usage of product activation throughout Microsoft software, specifying whether the programs can be equipped with retail or volume licensing activation as well as geographical activation restrictions.

Windows[edit]

Office[edit]

*All Office 2016 and Office 365 licenses are associated with an email account. A personal licence is re-activated on a new machine by logging in to office.com and selecting which of their machines to associate.^[31]

Criticism[edit]

While Microsoft says that product activation benefits consumers by allowing Microsoft to produce higher quality software,^[1] it has nevertheless received much criticism regarding its design and implementation, effectiveness at stopping piracy and respect of privacy rights. For instance, during the development of Windows XP, beta testers strongly criticized the introduction of product activation, particularly because a change in computer hardware required re-activation.^[32] Ken Fischer at Ars Technica questioned whether activation would ultimately be effective in stopping piracy, stating that while casual computer users would be affected, he would "be a fool to think that someone out there won't find a way to break this whole thing."^[33] Dave Wilson, a technology columnist at the Los Angeles Times, describes activation as "just another example of a rapacious monopolist abusing computer users who are helpless to do anything about it." He too believed that the system would not have "any significant effect on professional pirates."^[34] Fred Langa at InformationWeek, with reference to the transmission of hardware information during activation, stated that "many users are incensed at this level of monitoring, intrusion, and control by Microsoft."^[2] Finally, Dr. Cyrus Peikari and Seth Fogie, security consultants, considered product activation to be "hostile both to privacy and to human dignity."^[35]

Others defend Microsoft's use of product activation. The Harrison Group, a market research firm, conducted a study sponsored by Microsoft in 2011 illustrating that computers running activated versions of Windows software were on average 50% faster than their pirated counterparts. The group concluded by stating that users of genuine Microsoft products ultimately receive superior performance while counterfeit users are susceptible to security issues and lost productivity.^[36] Fully Licensed GmbH, a developer of digital rights management technology, while criticizing Microsoft for being vague about the nature of information sent from a given computer during activation, nevertheless concluded that activation is not particularly intrusive and does not significantly violate privacy.^[37]

Microsoft Product Activation has also been criticized on multiple occasions for violating patent law. In 2006, Microsoft was required to pay $142 million to z4 Technologies for infringing on a product activation patent,^[38] while in 2009 Microsoft was ordered to pay $388 million to Uniloc for patent infringement in product activation in Windows XP, Office XP and Windows Server 2003.^[39]

Circumvention[edit]

Microsoft Product Activation has been cracked or circumvented on numerous occasions since it was introduced in 2001. In 2001, a UK security company called Bit Arts successfully managed to bypass product activation on Windows XP,^[40] while in 2003, volume license keys for Windows XP were leaked to the public, allowing users who had not purchased a volume license to the operating system to bypass activation.^[41] In 2009, several security flaws in Windows 7 were used by hackers to circumvent activation.^[3][42]

Since the introduction of Windows Vista, most attempts at circumvention of product activation have focused on using leaked SLP product keys and BIOS information used by OEMs to preactivate Windows. In 2007, a circumvention measure was developed for Windows Vista by warez-group Paradox that simulates the BIOS, allowing leaked SLP information to be fed to the operating system, bypassing activation.^[43] In 2009, SLP product keys and certificate information for Windows 7 were leaked to the public, allowing the BIOS to be reconfigured to bypass activation.^[44]

List of Microsoft products with product activation[edit]

The following Microsoft products other than Windows, Windows Server or products from the Office family use activation: ^[45]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

All Microsoft products obtained by nonprofit organizations through TechSoup Canada are received through a Microsoft Volume Licensing program. Products received through this program require activation if they are to be used, to verify that the software has been received through legitimate means and is not installed on more computers than permitted. To activate most of these products, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2012, a 25-character volume license key (VLK) is required.

License-only products, such as client access licenses, management licenses, and external connector licenses, do not require keys or codes for setup (the only exceptions to this rule are the client access licenses for Small Business Server 2003).

To look up your product and see if it requires a VLK, see the Product Activation and Key Information page on the Microsoft Volume Licensing site.

Prior to the release of Windows Vista, there was only one type of VLK for all Microsoft products acquired through Volume Licensing. Starting with Vista, all operating systems acquired through Volume Licensing allow users to choose between two Volume Activation models that each has its own type of key: Key Management Service (KMS) or Multiple Activation Key (MAK). Read the following summaries of the standard VLKs and the newer Volume Activation models or view this diagram to decide which method is right for your organization.

Note: KMS keys are provided by default for some products on the Volume Licensing website, including Windows 7, meaning that these KMS keys will be the only visible keys on the website. If you determine that MAK keys are more appropriate for your organization, read the instructions below in "Obtaining MAK Keys When KMS Is the Default."

Standard VLKs

This standard type of VLK is provided for all Microsoft products except Windows Vista and newer operating systems, including server operating systems. The activation process using standard VLKs is fairly simple: enter the VLK obtained through the Volume Licensing website when prompted by the software to activate it. You can use the same VLK on multiple installations of the same software if you requested multiple licenses. For example, if your donation includes 10 copies of Office 2007 Standard, you can use the Office VLK to install that product on 10 separate computers.

Key Management Service (KMS) Keys

KMS is the default model for Volume Activation for every operating system released since Windows Vista, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

In the KMS model, the KMS key is installed on only one system in a network, known as the KMS host, and all other network users can activate their software through this system. This allows users with network experience to complete activations on their local network and eliminates the need for all computers except the host to connect to Microsoft for product activation. KMS does not require a dedicated system and can be co-hosted on a system that provides other services.

KMS requires a minimum number of computers (physical or virtual machines) in a network environment. The organization must have at least 5 computers to activate Windows Server 2008 R2 and at least 25 computers to activate Windows 7. These minimums are referred to as activation thresholds. Organizations that cannot meet these thresholds or do not have the technical ability to set up a KMS host should activate their products through the MAK model.

Multiple Activation Key (MAK) Keys

The MAK model is used for one-time activation with Microsoft’s hosted activation services. These keys are similar to standard VLKs in that users must enter the MAK keys on their individual computers to activate the products. MAK keys are not the default model for Volume Activation clients, so users will have to request MAK keys from the Volume Licensing website if they want to use this model.

There are two ways to activate computers using the MAK model. The first method is MAK independent activation, which requires that each computer independently connect with Microsoft and be activated, either over the Internet or by telephone. The second method is MAK proxy activation. With this method, a computer acting as a MAK proxy gathers activation information from multiple computers on the network and then sends a centralized activation request on their behalf. MAK proxy activation is configured using the Volume Activation Management Tool.

Like standard VLKs, MAK keys allow a predetermined number of activations, depending on the number of licenses an organization requests. For example, if your donation includes 10 copies of Windows 7, you can use the Windows 7 MAK key to install that product on 10 separate computers.

As previously stated, KMS is the default Volume Activation model for operating systems released after Windows Vista, including Windows 7. This means that organizations that request one of these products will see a KMS key when they log in to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center.

To request a MAK key for products that currently have a KMS key assigned to them, organizations should choose Product Keys > New MAK Keys from the Volume Licensing Service Center menu. Organizations can also visit the page directly. This page lists all the products eligible for a MAK key request. Organizations should check the box next to the product or products they want to receive a MAK key for and then click Request MAK Key.

When this process is complete, the MAK keys for each product will be listed along with the rest of the organization's existing keys in the Volume Licensing Service Center.

Product keys for both KMS and MAK apply to product key groups rather than to individual operating system editions.

• The Windows 7 product key group includes Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Professional, so the Windows 7 product keys work for both of these products.
• There are three product key groups for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2:
  1. Windows Web Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition (MAK/KMS A)
  2. Windows Server 2008 Standard and Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (MAK/KMS B)
  3. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter and Windows Server 2008 Itanium-Based Systems (MAK/KMS C)

MAK keys are directly associated with a single product key group and can activate only the Windows editions within that specific product group. For example, the MAK B key must be used to activate Windows Server 2008 Standard or Windows Server 2008 Enterprise. A MAK key for Windows Server 2008 Datacenter (MAK C key) will not work. And a MAK key for Windows 7 will not work with Windows Vista.

KMS keys function differently from MAK keys in that they are hierarchical. For example, if you have licenses for the Windows Server 2008 Datacenter R2 and Standard R2 editions, you should use the KMS key associated with the Datacenter product (KMS C key) to activate your KMS host. KMS will then be able to activate computers with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter R2 installed as well as Windows Server 2008 Standard R2.

Introduction 

Ms office 2016 is considered one of the world’s latest and best versions. The problem is that most users can’t afford ms office 2016. But it’s a good thing that you can get an online genuine product key without any cost.

If you have an activation key, you can easily activate it. This activation key is also called a license key. If you do not have an activation key, then you have to install the premium version of it. But the paid version always provides access to all the versions of ms office 2016.

You don’t have to worry if you have a problem with activating ms office 2016. In this post, the activation method will be discussed step by step.

Features of the Microsoft Office 2016

It’s better if we talk about its features before we tell the activation process of ms office 2016. Because it will make you easy to understand.

For MAC operating system ms office was launch on 9th July 2016. After that, it was released again for the windows operating system on 22nd September. Now, this is considered best for both students and faculty.

Below are its features.

• There are a lot of themes in it. Users can choose with their own choice.
• In this version, icon numbers have been increased.
• No one has to face any difficulty while making a document.

Features of the updated version

New features of ms office 216 are working very well. So that the user’s experience can be further improved. In this software, users have the authority to update their data loss protection. And this updating is absolutely free. In the new interface, you can edit the documents very easily. All the applications in this bundle are working in a very effective way.

Here listed down all the new features of ms office 20016.

• You can open the search tool.
• You can open and add any type of document.
• The user interface is made very well.
• You can also access the online as well as an offline version of the ms bundle.

Five traditional editions of Office 2016 for windows

Home and student: This version is related to core applications.

Home and business: This bundle also includes outlook and core application.

Standard:  This version is available only due to volume licensing channels.

Professional: This version includes outlook, access, publisher, and core application.

Professional Plus: This version includes publisher, access, outlook, and skypes for business.

Three traditional editions of Office 2016 for Mac

Home and student: This version is related to core applications.

Home and business: This bundle also includes outlook and core application.

Standard:  This version is available only due to volume licensing channels.

Microsoft Office 2016 Product Keys

• DJD94-DFKD9-FJD94JD894-FJKD94JD
• NKGG6-WBPCC-HXWMY-6DQGJ-CPQVG
• 6PMNJ-Q33T3-VJQFJ-23D3H-6XVTX
• C2FG9-N6J68-H8BTJ-BW3QX-RM3B3
• FCMXC-RDWMP-RFGVD-8TGPD-VQQ2X

Microsoft Office 2016 activation keys

NKGG6-WBPCC-HXWMY-6DQGJ-CPQVG

J7MQP-HNJ4Y-WJ7YM-PFYGF-BY6C6

GNH9Y-D2J4T-FJHGG-QRVH7-QPFDW

J484Y-4NKBF-W2HMG-DBMJC-PGWR7

YG9NW-3K39V-2T3HJ-93F3Q-G83KT

R69KK-NTPKF-7M3Q4-QYBHW-6MT9B

DR92N-9HTF2-97XKM-XW2WJ-XW3J6

PD3PC-RHNGV-FXJ29-8JK7D-RJRJK

869NQ-FJ69K-466HW-QYCP2-DDBV6

W2J6F-VNXJD-FFHBG-MQKPM-39M3P

JNRGM-WHDWX-FJJG3-K47QV-DRTFM

NKGG6-WBPCC-HXWMY-6DQGJ-CPQVG

YG9NW-3K39V-2T3HJ-93F3Q-G83KT

PD3PC-RHNGV-FXJ29-8JK7D-RJRJK

DR92N-9HTF2-97XKM-XW2WJ-XW3J6

JNRGM-WHDWX-FJJG3-K47QV-DRTFM

J7MQP-HNJ4Y-WJ7YM-PFYGF-BY6C6

R69KK-NTPKF-7M3Q4-QYBHW-6MT9B

869NQ-FJ69K-466HW-QYCP2-DDBV6

9C2PK-NWTVB-JMPW8-BFT28-7FTBF

7WHWN-4T7MP-G96JF-G33KR-W8GF4

GNH9Y-D2J4T-FJHGG-QRVH7-QPFDW

NKGG6-WBPCC-HXWMY-6DQGJ-CPQVG

J7MQP-HNJ4Y-WJ7YM-PFYGF-BY6C6

GNH9Y-D2J4T-FJHGG-QRVH7-QPFDW

J484Y-4NKBF-W2HMG-DBMJC-PGWR7

YG9NW-3K39V-2T3HJ-93F3Q-G83KT

R69KK-NTPKF-7M3Q4-QYBHW-6MT9B

DR92N-9HTF2-97XKM-XW2WJ-XW3J6

PD3PC-RHNGV-FXJ29-8JK7D-RJRJK

869NQ-FJ69K-466HW-QYCP2-DDBV6

W2J6F-VNXJD-FFHBG-MQKPM-39M3P

JNRGM-WHDWX-FJJG3-K47QV-DRTFM

7WHWN-4T7MP-G96JF-G33KR-W8GF4

C2FG9-N6J68-H8BTJ-BW3QX-RM3B3

9C2PK-NWTVB-JMPW8-BFT28-7FTBF

MT7YN-TMV9C-7DDX9-64W77-B7R4D

DJD94-DFKD9-FJD94JD894-FJKD94JD

B9GN2-DXXQC-9DHKT-GGWCR-4X6XK

DJKSE-DFJS93-DFJKD94JD-DJKD94JD

FCMXC-RDWMP-RFGVD-8TGPD-VQQ2X

PGD67-JN23K-JGVWW-KTHP4-GXR9G

6PMNJ-Q33T3-VJQFJ-23D3H-6XVTX

How to Activate Microsoft Office 2016

You must need a genuine product key to Activate Microsoft 2016. Without product key, you will face error, not key working. Here is some method that you use for activation.

Using a product key activating Microsoft Office 2016 

Here I discuss some step which you must follow for activation

1. Download Microsoft office 2016 search in google chrome
2. Click on download button
3. Install the setup in your computer
4. After complete the installation, the process disconnect the internet from your computer
5. Used any product key

After finishing all this process you will be able to use Microsoft Office in your computer system and used easily

Activating Microsoft Office 2016 without a Product Key

With the help copy of Office 2016, you can activate this software easily. Here are two versions that can activate which are as follows.

• MS Office 2016 Standard
• MS Office 2016 Personal Plus

You will need to follow this step which is listed below

1 Copy the code of Microsoft office 2016 from the webpage
2 Open new text document on your screen
3 Paste this code in text documentation file
4 Save it as the batch the file with the name click.cmd
5 Click on the right side of the file and run on administrator

How to Recover a lost Microsoft Office 2016 Product Key

If you lost a product key and want to recover. You will need a key recovery tool. I recommend PassFab.This tool can recover product keys for a wide range of programs such as the internet, windows, SQL server, and more.
The greatest feature of this tool is recovery key quick which makes it excellent. Sophisticated algorithms and GPU technology are used in this tool. It works with windows and another computer brand.
Here I will explain step if you want recovery key you must follow this.
1 Download and install passFab tool
2 Click the Get key button.
3 Click generate text

After this process, you will  recover product key Microsoft Office 2016 Product Key Not Working: How to Solve
When you face “product key not working error” mostly you will try to use another key product. If this error repeats again and again you will try to reactivate Microsoft. This is the best solution to this problem.

Conclusion

In this article, We have explained the main thing about Microsoft Office 2016 Activation Keys. More things like how we activate this software are explained here.everyone can use this software using above all steps.