onlysublime
New member
- Jun 24, 2013
- 1,077
- 0
- 0
that makes me curious if you can keep getting 1 year subscriptions with the surface machines just by resetting to factory.
Office 365 Personal?
- Thread starter ValentinG
- Start date
onlysublime
New member
- Jun 24, 2013
- 1,077
- 0
- 0
haha. I didn't think that it would stack with multiple resets. just that when your 1 year is almost up, you reset to factory and then get 1 year.
kind of OT but, I just saw that you can download Office for free on a Android or a Apple tablet. So the competition gets a full free version and Microsoft users have to pay for it. Even if the 1st year is free, you still have to pay after that. Not fair!
Laura Knotek
Retired Moderator
- Mar 31, 2012
- 29,446
- 60
- 48
The difference is that Android and iOS are mobile platforms. Windows Phone also has free Office.
Full desktop computer Office is not free for Mac OS X or Windows. The Surface 3 is a full Windows PC, not a mobile device.
Sent from my rooted Nexus 7 (2013) using Tapatalk
Actually, Surface3 is both. As for Windows phone having free Office, I don't think that is true anymore. They have the same 1 year free deal as the tablets.
onlysublime
New member
- Jun 24, 2013
- 1,077
- 0
- 0
That's not accurate. Currently Windows Phone users already have Office on their phones and it's also (although it is an older version and not as good as the Android/iOS versions). And Surface RT and Surface 2 users have a free full version of Office that is much more full-featured than the Android/iOS versions (but not quite as touch optimized as those versions). The Surface RT/2 version is basically full Office 2013 (comparable to the Office 2013 Home version).
But with Windows 10, Windows PC and phones will have a slightly superior version of what's on Android/iOS that's free.
The Android/iOS version is not the same as Office 365. There's a lot of missing functionality in the Android/iOS versions. In fact, if you really want to get the most out of the Android/iOS version, you really need to hook in an Office 365 account. But with Windows 10, it's almost the same deal: to have a fuller Office experience, you need to hook the free version into an Office 365 account.
But the subscription is worth it. You get 5 installations plus unlimited OneDrive storage (though currently it ranges from 1 TB to 10 TB because they're rolling out space updates in phases) plus Skype minutes and Skype hotspots.
As a heavy iOS Office user- I only bought Office 365 Home subscription to unlock more features and am glad I did. It works great, and on top of that I get it on my computers/laptops. With Surface 3 I also got the 9 month extension too. That being said, Office on Surface 3 is full Office whereas the iPad Word version is definitely missing a lot of features - e.g. you can't compare/merge documents, no blackline, table formatting is very limited, can't use watermarks, object embedding is nonexistent, paragraph/spacing/page break controls are a bit weaker, etc.
And Excel, well, there's a LOT missing.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm very happy with the iOS versions though as for 99% of the time, I'm reviewing/editing a document someone else has made and it's perfect fro that. It can even PDF and email the file for me
And Excel, well, there's a LOT missing.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm very happy with the iOS versions though as for 99% of the time, I'm reviewing/editing a document someone else has made and it's perfect fro that. It can even PDF and email the file for me
misterphipps
New member
- Apr 14, 2014
- 13
- 0
- 0
So. I cancelled my 365 subscription and left it to expire. I reset my Surface, so I had the option to install Office from the device itself.
'You get a free year with this!' it said, to my relief.
I entered my details. It said 'Activating your subscription.' And I waited.
And waited.
And waited...
An hour and a half later, the wheel of dots was still turning. I tried in another tab and got an error message but... success... at least I had a registration key! All was not lost!
So I installed Office 2016, so I could activate at a later date.
Later that night, I went to activate again. I logged onto Office online to 'activate with a product key.' I entered it, and pressed continue. Hurrah! 'Please confirm your region and language. Your subscription will start when you press continue.'
I selected the UK. I waited for the language box to un-grey.
And waited.
And waited.
Nothing.
Again.
I tried activating through Word.
Nothing.
I contacted Microsoft Online support, as suggested by the website and error messages. Which was fun...
MS:
22:51:37 Thank you for contacting Microsoft Answer Desk. My name is xxx. What can I help you with today?
You:
22:52:30 Hello. I'm having trouble activating my Office subscription. The language field on the verify region screen is greyed out and does not allow me to select it.
MS:
22:53:05 Hi, Paul.
That's a very tough situation to be in. Let me sort that out for you.
What office version are you having?
You:
22:54:06 I downloaded Office 2016 preview, and am trying to activate the free 1 year Office Home which came with my Surface.
MS:
22:54:53 You mean that your having issues with Activation with Office 2016?
You:
22:55:31 Yes. I have entered my code but cannot get further.
MS:
22:55:47 May I have your code, please?
You:
22:55:50 [gives code]
MS:
22:56:27 Thank you. One moment please.
What is the prompt message when trying to activate?
You:
22:58:09 'Please verify your region and language.' I select United Kingdom. I cannot select a language - the box remains greyed out. It says 'Your subscription will start when you press continue'. I press continue but nothing happens.
MS:
22:59:18 What browser are you using>
You:
22:59:48 I have tried on both Modern Internet Explorer and IE 11
MS:
23:00:36 Can you try to open that via Chrome or Mozilla?
You:
23:01:32 I reset my computer in order to obtain my product key. I don't have those installed yet.
I will try on my ipad
MS:
23:05:01 Yes, please.
You:
23:06:11 its taking a while... Thanks for being patient
MS:
23:06:36 It's alright
You:
23:08:37 the website is still thinking about it
MS:
23:08:52 What do you mean, Paul
You:
23:10:08 I have logged into Office Online, selected 'register with a product key' entered the product key, pressed 'get started' and am now waiting for the page to respond.
MS:
23:10:37 It seems that the issue is with the browser you are using, Paul.
You:
23:11:56 I have done this on my ipad. I get the same issue on two browsers. I get 'An error has occurred and we cannot set up your office account at this time. If you continue to have problems please contact support.' Are you able to activate my office account for me?
MS:
23:13:29 You mentioned that this is a preinstalled Office, this support is covered from your device's manufacturer.
Please contact Surface Dept: 1-855-883-8676
You:
23:15:14 Microsoft is the product manufacturer. It is a Microsoft Surface. Sold with 1 year's free Office. I have a valid office product key. Microsoft's website is not allowing me to activate that product key. It tells me to contact support if I am unable to activate my product key.
And I'm in the UK.
MS:
23:15:45 Yes, we have the dedicated support for this, please contact the above information'
You:
23:16:31 OK. I saw a UK number on the support pages. I will go back, look for that, and give them a call tomorrow morning. Thank you for your time.
MS:
23:17:29 Yes, please do.
You're most welcome.
Do you have other concerns/questions for today?
You:
23:18:09 No. Thank you.
MS:
23:18:27 I hope to help you more soon. Just keep in touch. If you need assistance with your Windows/Office in the future, please feel free to contact us back. We will be ready to assist you with your concern.
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Answer Desk, Again, this is XXX. You may have a great day ahead!
So to conclude: I have reset my Surface, but still can't activate. Microsoft's advice was to use a competitor's browser because their first advice was it must be IEs fault, telephone the US, even though I've told them I'm in the UK, and have a great day ahead, even though they must see it's 23:18 where I am. You'd think if they know my account and registration key they could activate Office for me, but no.
Have just installed Chrome and tried again. No. I'll try to phone someone in the UK and keep you updated
'You get a free year with this!' it said, to my relief.
I entered my details. It said 'Activating your subscription.' And I waited.
And waited.
And waited...
An hour and a half later, the wheel of dots was still turning. I tried in another tab and got an error message but... success... at least I had a registration key! All was not lost!
So I installed Office 2016, so I could activate at a later date.
Later that night, I went to activate again. I logged onto Office online to 'activate with a product key.' I entered it, and pressed continue. Hurrah! 'Please confirm your region and language. Your subscription will start when you press continue.'
I selected the UK. I waited for the language box to un-grey.
And waited.
And waited.
Nothing.
Again.
I tried activating through Word.
Nothing.
I contacted Microsoft Online support, as suggested by the website and error messages. Which was fun...
MS:
22:51:37 Thank you for contacting Microsoft Answer Desk. My name is xxx. What can I help you with today?
You:
22:52:30 Hello. I'm having trouble activating my Office subscription. The language field on the verify region screen is greyed out and does not allow me to select it.
MS:
22:53:05 Hi, Paul.
That's a very tough situation to be in. Let me sort that out for you.
What office version are you having?
You:
22:54:06 I downloaded Office 2016 preview, and am trying to activate the free 1 year Office Home which came with my Surface.
MS:
22:54:53 You mean that your having issues with Activation with Office 2016?
You:
22:55:31 Yes. I have entered my code but cannot get further.
MS:
22:55:47 May I have your code, please?
You:
22:55:50 [gives code]
MS:
22:56:27 Thank you. One moment please.
What is the prompt message when trying to activate?
You:
22:58:09 'Please verify your region and language.' I select United Kingdom. I cannot select a language - the box remains greyed out. It says 'Your subscription will start when you press continue'. I press continue but nothing happens.
MS:
22:59:18 What browser are you using>
You:
22:59:48 I have tried on both Modern Internet Explorer and IE 11
MS:
23:00:36 Can you try to open that via Chrome or Mozilla?
You:
23:01:32 I reset my computer in order to obtain my product key. I don't have those installed yet.
I will try on my ipad
MS:
23:05:01 Yes, please.
You:
23:06:11 its taking a while... Thanks for being patient
MS:
23:06:36 It's alright
You:
23:08:37 the website is still thinking about it
MS:
23:08:52 What do you mean, Paul
You:
23:10:08 I have logged into Office Online, selected 'register with a product key' entered the product key, pressed 'get started' and am now waiting for the page to respond.
MS:
23:10:37 It seems that the issue is with the browser you are using, Paul.
You:
23:11:56 I have done this on my ipad. I get the same issue on two browsers. I get 'An error has occurred and we cannot set up your office account at this time. If you continue to have problems please contact support.' Are you able to activate my office account for me?
MS:
23:13:29 You mentioned that this is a preinstalled Office, this support is covered from your device's manufacturer.
Please contact Surface Dept: 1-855-883-8676
You:
23:15:14 Microsoft is the product manufacturer. It is a Microsoft Surface. Sold with 1 year's free Office. I have a valid office product key. Microsoft's website is not allowing me to activate that product key. It tells me to contact support if I am unable to activate my product key.
And I'm in the UK.
MS:
23:15:45 Yes, we have the dedicated support for this, please contact the above information'
You:
23:16:31 OK. I saw a UK number on the support pages. I will go back, look for that, and give them a call tomorrow morning. Thank you for your time.
MS:
23:17:29 Yes, please do.
You're most welcome.
Do you have other concerns/questions for today?
You:
23:18:09 No. Thank you.
MS:
23:18:27 I hope to help you more soon. Just keep in touch. If you need assistance with your Windows/Office in the future, please feel free to contact us back. We will be ready to assist you with your concern.
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Answer Desk, Again, this is XXX. You may have a great day ahead!
So to conclude: I have reset my Surface, but still can't activate. Microsoft's advice was to use a competitor's browser because their first advice was it must be IEs fault, telephone the US, even though I've told them I'm in the UK, and have a great day ahead, even though they must see it's 23:18 where I am. You'd think if they know my account and registration key they could activate Office for me, but no.
Have just installed Chrome and tried again. No. I'll try to phone someone in the UK and keep you updated
misterphipps
New member
- Apr 14, 2014
- 13
- 0
- 0
Three phone calls to Microsoft:
Firstly - the number on the website is wrong. Please phone a different number.
Secondly - Got cut off.
Thirdly - very helpful man remote controlled onto my computer. Tried to activate the same way I did. Then tried with Chrome. Got confused. Tried to give me a second Microsoft account. I stopped him - I don't want Office tied to another Microsoft account, because I do a lot of work on my Windows Phone, and that would require a hard reset to link that to another account.
He put me through to an Office specialist, who got even more confused because she couldn't work out if I had office pre-installed ("No, it was just a tab you pressed which prompted activation." "So you have it installed already." "Yes, but I'm activating a subscription through the website, which seems broken." "I don't understand..."
I gave up. I try not to judge overseas call centres, but I desperately want to say to someone "You know those posters and TV ads which are everywhere at the moment? I'm trying to do what it says on them," and for them to understand.
Firstly - the number on the website is wrong. Please phone a different number.
Secondly - Got cut off.
Thirdly - very helpful man remote controlled onto my computer. Tried to activate the same way I did. Then tried with Chrome. Got confused. Tried to give me a second Microsoft account. I stopped him - I don't want Office tied to another Microsoft account, because I do a lot of work on my Windows Phone, and that would require a hard reset to link that to another account.
He put me through to an Office specialist, who got even more confused because she couldn't work out if I had office pre-installed ("No, it was just a tab you pressed which prompted activation." "So you have it installed already." "Yes, but I'm activating a subscription through the website, which seems broken." "I don't understand..."
I gave up. I try not to judge overseas call centres, but I desperately want to say to someone "You know those posters and TV ads which are everywhere at the moment? I'm trying to do what it says on them," and for them to understand.
misterphipps
New member
- Apr 14, 2014
- 13
- 0
- 0
A second hard reset of my Surface worked.
So the moral of the story is 'just keep going, and don't be afraid to reset more than once.'
Thanks for listening to me ramble on. 
So the moral of the story is 'just keep going, and don't be afraid to reset more than once.'
Thanks for listening to me ramble on.
LouCap
New member
- May 30, 2015
- 38
- 0
- 0
I'm glad it worked out
That being said I reckon eventually they would've just added a year to your subscription without anything anyway if you had kept pushing given you are clearly entitled to it.
That being said I reckon eventually they would've just added a year to your subscription without anything anyway if you had kept pushing given you are clearly entitled to it.
Similar threads
- Question
Trending Posts
-
-
Post pictures of your latest purchase
- Started by Laura Knotek
- Replies: 3K
-
How to pare down the length of the file explorer context menu in Windows 10- Started by musicollector
- Replies: 1
-
Blu Win Jr. LTE Windows Phone 8.1 Redux
- Started by ChrysatusAuratus
- Replies: 0
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram