Why can’t I activate Office 2010?
Q
I've used Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 for years. However, I recently had to replace my motherboard and whilst the Windows 7 re-install and activation was completely successful, I cannot activate Outlook 2010 – getting a message that tells me my product key has already been activated the maximum number of times! It advises me to check the terms for the details. Well, I have looked and the only restriction is that it can only be installed on a single machine, which it is. What should I do? Ray Jennings
A
As we’ve noted many times over the years, Microsoft licences are enormously complex. Moreover, depending on how you first came by the software, there can be significant variations in what is and isn’t allowed.
However, with a retail version of Outlook 2010 what really matters is that you can only use it on one PC at any one time.
So, we think you’re bang on with your assessment: you should be able to activate this software again on your PC. But yes, because of the new motherboard, Microsoft’s servers are concluding that it’s a different machine.
The solution is to call Microsoft’s telephone-activation line (see screenshot below). It doesn’t shout about it but you’ll find details at www.snipca.com/33880. The UK number is 0800 018 8354.
Incidentally, the trick to reaching a human who can actually help you is to go through the motions of activating and then, if it fails, stay quiet until a Microsoft staff member says hello.