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License and Version Info Office 2008
- EULA
- Non-Profits
- Differences in Versions
- Upgrade vs Update
- Qualifications for Upgrade
- Reset CD Key
- Registration
- Locate used key
Starting with Office for Mac 2008, these versions are available:
- Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac (also called Standard)
- Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home and Student
(previously called Student & Teacher in 2004) - Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Upgrade
- Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition
Minimum Operating System requirements for Office for Mac 2008: Mac OS X version 10.4.9 or later
EULA: Find License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
A software license agreement is a memorandum of contract between a producer and a user of computer software which grants the user a software license. Most often, a software license agreement indicates the terms under which an end-user may utilize the licensed software, in which case the agreement is called an end-user license agreement or EULA.
Unfortunately non-profits are not licensed for the Home and Student 2008 version. However, non-profits can use other resources detailed here (including free options).
The Home & Student version does not contain Exchange support or Automator Actions. Some university students need Exchange Support to connect for their school mail. Please contact your school to see what's needed or what package they can offer you. The Home & Student version cannot be updated if you find out you need Exchange after opening the box. Can be installed on three different computers in the same household.
The Special Media Edition contains Expression Media, the powerful asset management tool to visually catalog, organize and present all of your digital assets. Can be installed on one computer and one laptop. Cannot use application at same time if networked. For example, if you open Word on the computer you cannot open Word on the laptop at the same time.
The Standard and Special Media editions are identical except for the addition of Expressions Media. Can be installed on one computer and one laptop. Cannot use application at same time if networked. For example, if you open Word on the computer you cannot open Word on the laptop at the same time.
Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint are the same in all editions.
There is a standalone version of Entourage that is available from some Exchange Email Providers. Currently, you cannot purchase just Entourage as a standalone application. See How to install with the Home & Student Version.
Upgrade...move from Office X to Office 2004 or Office 2008; move from Office 2004 to Office 2008. You cannot upgrade any version of Office for Mac to a newer version through a free downloadable software updater.
Option 1: Purchase a retail copy of Office
Option 2: Download Try & Buy Version that can be converted to a full version.
The Home & Student Versions generally do not qualify for upgrades to a newer version because of their low price.
Update...You can update for free any version of Office. An update includes improvements for that version.
For example, you purchased Office 2008. Since it's release, Microsoft has released several free updates. Currently there are two combo updaters available for Office 2008 12.1.0 (SP1) and 12.2.0 (SP2) and the 12.2.1 fix. 13.0.0 for Entourage Exchange users is available once you update to 12.2.1.
Qualifications for Upgrade: The following is correct to the best of my knowledge. It's always best to check if you have any questions.
Any previous standard retail version of Office for Mac is eligible for the upgrade version. You will need to have it installed or have the CD to insert to show you are a registered user.
Normally, Student & Teacher version are not upgradable because they are already so low priced. Academic volume licenses vary by institution. Check to see what packages are available before buying. Before you purchase the H&S version, be sure you do not need Exchange. H&S does not include Exchange support in Entourage 2008.
FAQ: Is the free upgrade to 2008 is just that, an upgrade or is it a full installation DVD?
My understanding is the upgrade package is a "full installation" CD, where an upgrade installer will look for a prior version as a qualifying product. You can just insert the old installer CD for proof if you no longer have Office installed.
Many users are choosing to have *both* installed.
1. This gives you the option to go back if you experience problems.
2. If you use VBA you will definitely want to keep both. VBA is not included in Office 2008.
3. Until you get Entourage fully updated, you might need to go back to your previous version and manually export your data.
4. You can run both versions of all applications at the same time except for Entourage (this exception was removed in the SP1 (12.1.0) updater).
Your CD Keys, Product ID and Registration
There is some confusion over the Product Key and Product ID.
The Product Key also called CD Key is on a yellow or bright orange sticker on the CD package.
The Product ID is given during the Setup Assistant process. The Product ID will look like this: 11111-130-0001111-12345). It is used to register. Write this Product ID down or take a screen snap.
Always keep your CD key and install CD handy. If you ever lose it, it is very difficult to get a replacement. I like 1Password and WebConfidential to store passwords. Links can be found on the Third Party page. You can also search Version Tracker for other password applications.
"Registration" has nothing to do with the operation of the software - unlike the Activation required for MS Windows software. It's little more than a marketing tool. It will put you on a Microsoft email list. You can sign up for the newsletter without registering. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/newsletter.mspx.
Addendum: The Product ID is also listed in the Word | About Word dialog, etc (adjust for any Office app)
Resetting your Mac Office Registration number
If for any reason you need to reset your Office 2008 CD key or If you accidentally entered the same key twice, you can change in Office 2008 using these steps:
Previously in Entourage 2004 and X you could use "Remove Office" to reset your CD Key. More info
Delete these two files on one of the machines:
~:Library:Preferences:Microsoft:Office 2008:Microsoft Office 2008 Settings.plist
where ~ is your home folder, and
HD:Applications:Microsoft Office 2008:Office:OfficePID.plist
When you start an Office app, you'll be asked for a CD Key.
If the above fails, please try the following:
Please delete
- \Applications\Microsoft Office 2008 folder
- Your User Folder\Library \Preferences\Microsoft\Office 2008
- Reinstall Office
Is there an easy way to do trial and error and change the key if it was already used?
If you look in the Application menu for the About item and display that, it will display the Product ID to you.
If you find two machines on which all but the last five digits match, the same key was used on those two machines.
It won't tell you "which" key was used, just that the "same" key was used.
Only trial and error will let you sort out which key belongs to which computer. You can change the licenses without removing and reinstalling however.
Easiest method: Launch the Remove Office tool and hold down Option at the first dialog, and the "remove office" option will change to "remove licensing information".
/Application/Microsoft Office 2008/Additional Tools/Remove Office
If you have the 3 systems connected, start one of the Office apps on the oldest of the bunch (IIRC the product keys are in a list so you probably used the top one on that system.). Then launch the same app on one of the other two. If there is a conflict modify the second one's product key. If not the 3rd one must be the odd man out - although you may still have to get 2 & 3 to bump heads in order to be certain.
These tips provided by Bob Jones and Daiya Mitchell, Mac MVPs
