Question Safe to buy MS Office from online stores that are not MS?

[sonoferu]

I'm having a new box built. The old one was built in 2012, with Windows 7, and it's done a couple of screwy things recently.

I've had MS Office 2010, from an install at the school where I worked, so I got it free with their educational license. I won't have that perk again this time, so I'm looking to get Office without having to get into all that 365 stuff.

I found "The Microsoft Store" at microsoft.com, which certainly looked like a real microsoft site, and they have Office Home and Business for $249.99. They seem to refer to themselves as The Microsoft Store

But I also found MicrosoftStore at microsoftkeys.net, which offers Office Professional Plus for $39.99.

Being the frugal type, I ask -- is the MicrosoftStore legit? Are they selling the actual real MS software? And not defective? AND THE LICENSE WILL WORK?????

I want to stay out of being tied to MS and buying subscriptions and all that. But I want everything to work.

 

[RLGL]

But I also found MicrosoftStore at microsoftkeys.net, which offers Office Professional Plus for $39.99

Likely it's a copy, not official. Activated by them and "Support" through them and no updates or bug fixes.

 

[sonoferu]

Likely it's a copy, not official. Activated by them and "Support" through them and no updates or bug fixes.

A copy? Meaning they burn a fresh CD from it? And they already would run the activation thing for me? But how would that work? I thought activation tied the key to the machine. So if they activated it, my new box would not run it?

And thanks, these are the kinds of questions I would have.

 

[sonoferu]

I read some more threads similar, and getting itchy about unofficial versions. I hate to pay $250 for it but I want it to work right from the start.

But I also want it to reside on my machine, nothing in the cloud, no subscription etc. I would rather have a disk to install from, not an online install. Trying to keep it simple

 

[Tech Junky]

Just download a tor copy and apply a VL key to it.

-Link Removed-

It's not like MSFT needs the cash. There are tons of other site though that offer keys for less.

We do not allow links to or about pirating software.

Daveybrat
AT Moderator

 

[sonoferu]

In 1,000 words or less, what is a tor copy? I googled and it looks like there is a tor browser. Is that needed for this trick? use the tor browser to download one of those cheaper "copies" like above?

And the copies need you to uproot a key? and the tor browser protects you from being caught?

You can see I'm pretty completely ignorant on this one. Is there a tutorial so I dont have to ask someone to walk me through it.

Including what is a VL key?

 

[Tech Junky]

tor in this case is short for torrent .... tor (onion) on the other hand is something a bit different.

DL a preactivated copy which uses different schemes to activate the program either through patches or hosts lists the block it from checking for activation or redirecting it to some other server to provide an VL key check / auth to enable the program.

The other options you've stated are up to you though if you feel like paying the piper for crappy software. Office is a just another POS from MSFT that leaks tons of data and exposes you to threats if not constantly patched.

https://www.openoffice.org/ -- similar but not as polished as "Office". It's FREE though w/o jumping through hoops of having ethics dilemma's.

Personally I've had angst against giving MSFT money for decades and refuse to pay them any more $$$. This is why I build my machines and buy barebones laptops to avoid the MS tax. I paid it long ago and don't think they deserve to collect multiple times for the same crap repeatedly.

 

[RLGL]

With office 365 you can dl the Office suite

 

[sonoferu]

RLGL - Someone from there once told me that "Minnesota" is a native name for that area, and it means "land of several good qualities". I thought he was pulling my leg. But can it really mean that?

 

[RLGL]

But I also want it to reside on my machine, nothing in the cloud,

Google is your friend:
What is the origin of the name Minnesota?

WHY'S IT CALLED THAT? The name Minnesota comes from the Dakota tribe's word for the Minnesota River, mnisota, meaning “cloudy, muddy water” or “sky-tinted water.”

 

[Pohemi]

For the past...at least 6 or 7 years now...I've purchased MS activation keys for multiple versions of Windows and Office at a third party site for a sliver of the cost direct from MS. You just get a key, no software download but they give links to the MS download page for the software.

Every key I've purchased from there has been legitimate, activated without issue, updated properly without alterations, and gave me no problems. I'm still running Winblows activated with one of them now, as is my mother, and two of my uncles. My mother and I both have Office installs activated with them as well.

I've never needed to contact the key site for support. The Windows keys I purchased were 'Retail' as opposed to 'OEM' and I've installed with the same key across multiple systems as I replaced mine and built a new one. I never needed to call MS to have them re-activate it, it did it online from the MS server without issue (as retail versions of Windows should do.)

IDK if it's ok to post a link to it here...but the site is 'hrkgame dot com'. It's primarily a game key site, but they sell other software keys as well. I believe it's based out of Hong Kong iirc (there are currency conversion options on the site for payment methods.)

To OP: if you're going to use this option, I suggest looking for a key for Office 2021. It doesn't require the subscription like MS 365 does. I'd also suggest looking for the 'Home & Business' as opposed to 'Student & Home'. It includes a few more features such as Outlook, and the keys on that site might not differ much in cost between the versions.

 

[sonoferu]

I finally quit trying to save the money and just bought it from MS Store

 

[IBMJunkman]

I recently had the same question. Bought Office Pro 2022 from a ‘store’ on Amazon. $99. Got a link to download a setup file. When I run the setup it appears to download from Microsoft. All programs run. They suggested opening Access and use the key they gave me. Voila, all programs are activated.

I had to recreate my new system 2 times. Office activated both times. Of course I may have used 2 of the 9 lives.

 

[Truckasaurus]

just used microsoftkeys.net for office and the key worked immediately and was activated through microsoft's website, they had a download link for an .iso of 365 (not necessary, you can just activate the regular downloaded version of office from microsoft's website)

So, unless they ALSO stole my data or info (I will keep an eye on my bank account just in case and if something suspicious does happen I will update) I think I can wholeheartedly recommend their site for office. Because I was absolutely SICK of using the microsoft office app for my med school application essays