Issue with Microsoft Office (Ospp.vbs)

HairyChickens on 28/12/2020 - 14:53
Last edited 28/12/2020 - 15:59 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, right not I am having issues with my Microsoft Office specifically with "reactivating" it. From time to time the 2013 Microsoft Office on my mum's laptop would become unlicensed which wouldn't be a problem as I would use cscript ospp.vbs /act to reactivate it in CMD. However when I tried doing this again this morning an error came up see image.

I have a feeling it might have something to do with my connection blocking the ospp.vbs from working or an issue with ospp.vbs itself as the same error message appears when I type any other options after it (ospp.vbs /act, ospp.vbs /dstatus etc.)

However I am not sure how to fix it.

Is there a solution to this problem and if not is there another way I can reactivate Office without the product key. (I threw out the product key when I bought it back it 2013, thought I didn't need it because it was activated)

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 15:13
    +1

    Could buy Office365 for $100 a year, give you and your mom all the latest Office apps for her PC, her mobile devices, and 1TB of OneDrive storage to keep the rest of her computer backed up. And you'll have four other slots to give to other family members, with all the apps each and 1TB OneDrive each. It'll let your mom access anything on her OneDrive folder (all her random stuff on her PC) from her phone anytime of day even if out of the house. Handy for emailing someone a certain file, like sewing patterns or whatever moms are into these days. The interface on the new Office is different from 2013, might take a bit of relearning.

    • HairyChickens on 28/12/2020 - 15:23

      I have access to free Office365 which covers 6 devices from uni but my mum says she doesn't want it and is happy with Office 2013. If I cant find a solution to this problem my last resort I guess is to install that onto her laptop considering it is unusable now.

      • greatlamp on 28/12/2020 - 16:01
        +1

        Seems like a perfect excuse to get her on the new version then. The cloud backup will also come in handy when the inevitable virus destroys all her stuff.

      • savemore on 28/12/2020 - 16:52
        +1

        Contact Microsoft, they are helpful when it comes to these types of issues. Can be done via Online Chat.

      • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 17:50

        She can use both, you can have Office365 version of the apps (whatever the latest version on Windows is), and keep her 2013 version on there too. Might be confusing for her having both there tho. But you can try out the 365 version and if she doesn't like it then delete it. And if she does like it, finally delete the 2013 version.

        • HairyChickens on 28/12/2020 - 18:22

          Thats what I'm doing right now. Just clearing some space for both versions. Might have to do an SSD upgrade if I get lazy lmao.

          • AustriaBargain on 28/12/2020 - 18:24
            +1

            @HairyChickens: If she doesn't already have an SSD then it'll probably feel like a new computer if you do put one in, getting rid of those split second lags when the drive needs to spin up or seek.

  • No Username on 28/12/2020 - 15:15
    +1

    Do you have any kids or know someone with an EDU email? There's also the HUP version if you want to upgrade to 365.

  • spackbace on 28/12/2020 - 15:31
    +1

    I threw out the product key when I bought it back it 2013, thought I didn't need it because it was activated

    Surrrrre ya did 😉

  • ShannonN on 28/12/2020 - 16:23

    plenty of volume license key sellers online or look up office activator by daz

  • airtime on 30/12/2020 - 12:06

    It is hard not to be sceptical when you say you threw out your licence key. But giving you the benefit of the doubt - do you have any other form of proof of purchase? Receipt, box, etc. ?

    Microsoft are frequently very helpful and supportive of customers who are having software licence activation issues. Give them a call and talk to them. That is way forward most likely to give you a good result. Otherwise you can research the issue online and see if someone else has found a solution.

    Edit: there are several google results that use an external kms server to activate that many people report as working.

    • HairyChickens on 30/12/2020 - 14:40

      I got MS Office 2013 for free back in high school through NSW Students OnTheHub the digital code expires after 30 days and its recommended that you print out your codes. I did print my code out but a threw it out after activating it.

      I now have access to Office 365 through my uni so I will be using up the last device for my mum. Probably better for her as people above have said

      • airtime on 30/12/2020 - 15:55

        Try this method:
        https://msguides.com/microsoft-software-products/office-2010…

        I haven't given it a go myself but I did inspect the script and there is nothing malicious there. Just be aware that it uses their KMS servers. People report success depending on the tier of Office 2013.

        Calling Microsoft is the best route to try first. Be honest and they often will give you a new product key.

        • HairyChickens on 30/12/2020 - 16:55

          Thanks for your help but I gave my mum Office 365 so she no longer uses Office 2013

          Will definitely try Microsoft Support if I have troubles with Office in the future though

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