How many machines can I install a single copy of Microsoft Office on?

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Info passed along by a friend: One thing to be very careful when moving a copy from one machine to another is to uninstall it on the old machine before you re-install it.

Uninstalling the copy apparently undoes the product activation (I've not tried this) which means that you can re-activate the product.

IIRC (check your license to be sure), Office Standard allows an installation on a desktop computer and a laptop computer; Office Student Edition allows an installation on more than one computer (I'm not sure how many), but has some limitations.

My understanding is this can be a pretty complicated issue. These are the best of my recollections from installing it at work and at home several times. However I could be wrong and am open to correction :^) ....

1. The regular microsoft office 2003 retail version can be installed on two machines, a desktop and a portable (laptop) machine. This comes up in the eula (license) you have to click "I agree" to when you install it. This is also true for for the free version many folks received several months ago when it first came out. Vague recollection: When you first use it you have to activate it. This basically phones home through the internet. On the 3rd activation, it will not activate and says you can call a toll free number to activate. When you call, if you say you moved it from one machine to another they will allow this. They will ask if you uninstalled it from one of the old computers, for which you will have to tell them yes.

1. The student and teacher version of microsoft office 2003 can be installed on three machines. I don't recall dealing with activation or moving to a new machine so I can't comment.

3. The OEM version of microsoft office 2003 can only be used on the computer it was purchased for or came preinstalled on. If it is activated on that machine and you try to install it on another machine, you will have to call the toll free activation number. They will tell you you can't install it on another machine even if you uninstalled it from the original computer. Sometimes if you ask really nicely and/or beg they will make an exception.

Again, these are my best recollections and I would like anyone who knows better to add another comment below!

-Hugh

My understanding, at least on Office 2003, is that it can be installed on one desktop and one mobile device. I do not recall it specifically defining mobile devices, so I would take that to mean a PDA or a laptop.

I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN OFFICE UPGRADE. MY NEW LAPTOP CAME WITH THE TRIAL VERSION. I ASKED MS IF I COULD ALSO INSTALL IT ON MY HOME DESKTOP. I WILL HAVE TO BUY ANOITHER TRIAL VERSION ($14.95) SO I9 CAN USE THE UPGRADE. MS REPLIED THAT IN THE CASE OF A RETAIL PURCHASE OF OFFICE 2 INSTALLATIONS ARE PERMITTED FOR HOME USE.

How does one go about transferring Microsoft Office 2003 Student Teacher edition from an old computer? Do I just uninstall and re-install using the product key again?

Exactly.

Does anyone know if there is a difference in the amount of computers that the professional edition of office 2003 can be installed on. I need to install on 3 desktop computers possibily 4 and need to know the best route to take. I need the professional edition either way for publisher and Info Note...
Anyone???

Thanks,
John

Regarding the Office Professional:

As long as it is a RETAIL version - has a cardboard box and is NOT an OEM version (included with the purchase of a new computer) and has no retail box and manual) - you may copy it on only TWO machines only. The intention was to allow desktop users to also use the software on their portable or notebook computer. In which case, the software would only be used on one machine at a time.

If you are looking to install the software in a small business or home on multiple computers, you must purchase a copy for each.

Since you mentioned 4 copies; you might look into Microsoft's OPEN LICENSE (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/open/default.mspx) where you may receive discounts on multiple copies of needed software.

Ditch Office, download OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org. Put it on as many machines as you want for free, and you can still open any MS formats. It's a no-brainer.

First we need to what version of office are we talking about....Office Xp and Office 2003.

Then we have different types of licenses for each version.
The type of licenses are:

1) Reatil
2) OEM
3) Students and Teachers License.

For Reatil license of both versions office can be installed on One Desktop and One portable computer within the Household. This copy of software is transferable from computer to other.

OEM copies of softwares are ones which come preinstalled with the computer and these softwares are meant for the parent computers only...and these cannot be transferred to any other computer.

Studets nad teachers license of Office Xp can be installed on only one computer in a household however thses can be transerred from one computer to the other.

Students and Teachers license of Office 2003 can be installed on 3 computers in a household and there is condition of being a Desktop or a portable computer. Thses are also transferable.

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