Legal way to use Office 365 totally FREE without paying a dime
In a previous post here, I have shown you guys how to download and install Office 365 Multi-language using online installer downloaded directly from the Microsoft homepage. The new installation includes a 30-day free trial license by default. After that, most important features will be disabled. It means your work will be discontinued unless you pay for Office 365 subscription. If you are in financial difficulties, this is so bad, I know. To help you overcome this problem, I recommend using KMS licene key to activate your Office. For those of you guys who don’t already know, KMS license is almost similar to the trial one. It is totally free, legal and is valid for 180 days only. But don’t worry about the period because it can be renewed easily.
Remove your current trial license
This step is optional if your trial license was expired. However, if it is still valid, you need to remove it. Because in some cases, after you activate your Office using KMS license, important features are resumed but the expiration notification still remains. Follow the instructions in this post to uninstall the trial license.
Make sure your computer is ready
You need to check your internet connection again and make sure that the Windows Update service is turned on. KMS license has to be verified by making a connection to my KMS servers before it can be used. So you need to check if the KMS server is blocked or not. This is pretty simple. Just open your internet browser and try visitting this site: http://kms8.msguides.com. If it is visible, this means my KMS server is not blocked.
Activating your Office 365 using KMS client key
1. Manual method
Step 1.1: Open command prompt as admin.
First, you need to open command prompt with admin rights, then follow the instruction below step by step. Just copy/paste the commands and do not forget to hit Enter in order to execute them.
Step 1.2: Navigate to your Office folder.
If you install your Office in the ProgramFiles folder, the path will be “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16” or “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16”. It depends on the architecture of the Windows OS you are using. If you are not sure of this issue, don’t worry, just run both of the commands above. One of them will be not executed and an error message will be printed on the screen.
cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
Step 1.3: Convert your Office license to volume one if possible.
If your Office is got from Microsoft, this step is required. On the contrary, if you install Office from a Volume ISO file, this is optional so just skip it if you want.
for /f %x in ('dir /b ..\root\Licenses16\proplusvl_kms*.xrm-ms') do cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\%x"
Step 1.4: Use KMS client key to activate your Office.
Make sure your PC is connected to the internet, then run the following command.
cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99
cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:BTDRB >nul
cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:KHGM9 >nul
cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:CPQVG >nul
cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:107.175.77.7
cscript ospp.vbs /setprt:1688
cscript ospp.vbs /act
If you see the error 0xC004F074, it means that your internet connection is unstable or the server is busy. Please make sure your device is online and try the command “act” again until you succeed.
Here is all the text you will get in the command prompt window.
C:\Windows\system32>cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
The system cannot find the path specified.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>for /f %x in ('dir /b ..\root\Licenses16\proplusvl_kms*.xrm-ms') do cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\%x"
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\ProPlusVL_KMS_Client-ppd.xrm-ms"
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Installing Office license: ..\root\licenses16\proplusvl_kms_client-ppd.xrm-ms
Office license installed successfully.
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\ProPlusVL_KMS_Client-ul-oob.xrm-ms"
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Installing Office license: ..\root\licenses16\proplusvl_kms_client-ul-oob.xrm-ms
Office license installed successfully.
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\ProPlusVL_KMS_Client-ul.xrm-ms"
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Installing Office license: ..\root\licenses16\proplusvl_kms_client-ul.xrm-ms
Office license installed successfully.
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:BTDRB >nul
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:KHGM9 >nul
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:CPQVG >nul
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:107.175.77.7
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Successfully applied setting.
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /setprt:1688
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Successfully applied setting.
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /act
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.812
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
---Processing--------------------------
Installed product key detected - attempting to activate the following product:
SKU ID: d450596f-894d-49e0-966a-fd39ed4c4c64
LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16ProPlusVL_KMS_Client edition
LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 16, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
Last 5 characters of installed product key: WFG99
---Exiting-----------------------------
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16>
2. Using batch script
This one is not recommended anymore due to the new update of Microsoft.
Step 2.1: Copy the code below into a new text document.
@echo off
title Activate Office 365 ProPlus for FREE - MSGuides.com&cls&echo =====================================================================================&echo #Project: Activating Microsoft software products for FREE without additional software&echo =====================================================================================&echo.&echo #Supported products: Office 365 ProPlus (x86-x64)&echo.&echo.&(if exist "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16")&(if exist "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" cd /d "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16")&(for /f %%x in ('dir /b ..\root\Licenses16\proplusvl_kms*.xrm-ms') do cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\%%x" >nul)&(for /f %%x in ('dir /b ..\root\Licenses16\proplusvl_mak*.xrm-ms') do cscript ospp.vbs /inslic:"..\root\Licenses16\%%x" >nul)&echo.&echo ============================================================================&echo Activating your Office...&cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ckms >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /setprt:1688 >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /unpkey:WFG99 >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /unpkey:DRTFM >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /unpkey:BTDRB >nul&set i=1&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /inpkey:XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99 >nul||cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP >nul||goto notsupported
:skms
if %i% GTR 10 goto busy
if %i% EQU 1 set KMS=kms7.MSGuides.com
if %i% EQU 2 set KMS=107.175.77.7
if %i% GTR 2 goto ato
cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /sethst:%KMS% >nul
:ato
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo.&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /act | find /i "successful" && (echo.&echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo #My official blog: MSGuides.com&echo.&echo #How it works: bit.ly/kms-server&echo.&echo #Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.&echo.&echo #Please consider supporting this project: donate.msguides.com&echo #Your support is helping me keep my servers running 24/7!&echo.&echo ============================================================================&choice /n /c YN /m "Would you like to visit my blog [Y,N]?" & if errorlevel 2 exit) || (echo The connection to my KMS server failed! Trying to connect to another one... & echo Please wait... & echo. & echo. & set /a i+=1 & goto skms)
explorer "http://MSGuides.com"&goto halt
:notsupported
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo Sorry, your version is not supported.&echo.&goto halt
:busy
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo Sorry, the server is busy and can't respond to your request. Please try again.&echo.
:halt
pause >nul
Step 2.2: Save it as a batch file. (eg. office365.cmd).
Step 2.3: Run the batch file with admin rights. (important!).
Done! Your Office is activated successfully.
Note:
- I only test this method with Office 365 ProPlus version. I am not sure it will work with the others.
- Step 3 is flagged “important” because the UAC system will stop this process if you don’t do it.
How to renew your Office 365 license
By default, your license will be renewed automaticaly every seven days but in some cases, it can be stuck. So you need to renew the license manually. Just follow instructions here.
If you would have any questions or concerns, please leave your comments. I would be glad to explain in more details. Thank you so much for all your feedback and support!
I used this to activate Office 365 ProPlus, but it shows the Office version as 2016. How do I make 365 again?
It shows the Office version as 2016 Professional Plus.
Not working
Guy, it works perfectly
great job.
thanks for share this i like it
I foolowed your instructions. but it didn’t work. It says: The system can’t find the pointed route. 🙁 🙁 🙁
I have Windows 10 Home
I foolowed your instructions. but it didn’t work. It says: The system can’t find the pointed route. 🙁 🙁 🙁
Thanks mate. This worked brilliantly for me. Cheers.
i follow ur instruction correctly but it shows connection to the KMS sever is failed and your version is not supported .now,please tell me what can i do for that problem
I’m on Windows 10. I have installed office 365 but the base is 2016? I thought it should be 2019?
Office 365, can keep on update. if your internet speed is not fast enough, when finish install Office 365, it will show Office 2016 in windows 10.
hey man how to execute this particular step “Step 3 is flagged “important” because the UAC system will stop this process if you don’t do it”
Just follow step 3 step by step.
Done.
Enjoy.
Thanks it work for me.
how to do it on Mac?
Mac is not Microsoft Product. Don’t wasting time to use above method to activate.
I also use office 365 image too
it seems my office has activated n 2016 not 365
Windows 8.1 or under, install Office 365 will automatic update to Office 2016, use the above method to activate, will get new feature update like Office 365 as well.
You are really helpful. Thank you a lot!
Windows 8.1 or under, install Office 365 will automatic update to Office 2016, use the above method to activate, will get new feature update like Office 365 as well.
The script has been updated, now the activation works properly. Thanks.
Activation success only run the KMS activation method with admin right online.
what is the meaning of this line? can you describe more please?
Step 3: Run the batch file with admin rights. (important!)
Do it online.
What can I do if it shows a message like this?
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
Please try installing the latest version here: bit.ly/odt2k16
Activation success only run the KMS activation method with admin right online.
It really works. Thank you.
Can i add visio and project
After upgrade to office 2016 or Office 2019 can try add Visio and Project.
============================================================================
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
Please try installing the latest version here: bit.ly/odt2k16
i cant do it..please help me
Activation success only run the KMS activation method with admin right online.
i ran it through administrator still not working
1st scan your windows system, solve any error find, before reactivation.
Hello:
I love your guides and tutorials. I want to ask you if this KMS activation can also work for 365 Home Premium and Business, and if it does, can you please provide us with a code for that. It is mind boggling to try to write the code myself and you are a pro. Thank you!
There is no Office 365 Home Premium and Business in the market.
Getting the below error post running the command file. Please help
The connection to my KMS server failed! Trying to connect to another one…
Please wait…
Activation success must run batch method with admin right online.
with admin right online: what this even mean
Step 3: Run the batch file with admin rights. (important!)
online meant connect internet when do activation.
Hi
I followed your guide and uninstalled all microsoft office programs from my laptop. I also checked for any trial licenses using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
I deleted all keys using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:KKKEY
I downloaded “Office Deployment Tool from Microsoft homepage” to install 0ffice365proplus.
This is the config.xml i used:
Office365 was succesfully installed. The version installed is: 16.0.11328.20368
My problem is that when I run the batch command for activating license key, I get the following message:
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
Please try installing the latest version here: bit.ly/odt2k16
Please tell me what else I can do.
Thanks
Activation success must run batch method with admin right online.
Hi
I followed your guide and uninstalled all microsoft office programs from my laptop. I also checked for any trial licenses using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
I deleted all keys using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:KKKEY
I downloaded “Office Deployment Tool from Microsoft homepage” to install 0ffice365proplus.
This is the config.xml i used:
Office365 was succesfully installed. The version installed is: 16.0.11328.20368
My problem is that when I run the batch command for activating license key, I get the following message:
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
Please try installing the latest version here: bit.ly/odt2k16
Please tell me what else I can do to activate it
Thanks
Hi
I followed your guide and uninstalled all microsoft office programs from my laptop. I also checked for any trial licenses using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
I deleted all keys using the command:
cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:KKKEY
I downloaded “Office Deployment Tool from Microsoft homepage” to install 0ffice365proplus.
This is the config.xml i used:
Office365 was succesfully installed. The version installed is: 16.0.11328.20368
My problem is that when I run the batch command for activating license key, I get the following message:
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
Please try installing the latest version here: bit.ly/odt2k16
Please tell me what else I can do
my Microsoft office is not activated
Make sure you have only one copy of office program in your pc, otherwise, even success in activation, only the not activate version app will pop up for activation.
Here get two page post, look for the right post method to activate.
Thanks
It seem I am forced to put my credit infos to download the trial, anyway to bypass?
Top community click in.
Create a Question.
Mr. Guang or others will teach you how to download without give out any credit information etc.
The script for activations is blocked in newest Office 365 Pro plus version.
I used admin rights in office.cmd
Could you check again? Thanks.
Top community, click in.
Create a question with activate fail picture attach.
Mr. Guang or others will try to help you to solve your activation fail problem.
Actually updating will work, but after using the script to activate, the error 30028-88 will show up when trying to do so.This error is not that office is corrupted but to scare people to use kms servers.
The fix for now is to use office in trial mode if it is a clean install and forget about updates.
If updates are not a priority then you can activate and never update.
I don’t know the actual cause of this problem, I guess this is it after myself experiencing issues and trying to understand the complexity of the issue.
I would not recommend to run the script now till a fix is found as it might create more issues, which I hope not and guess this is a bug with office and need to wait for Microsoft to debug it.
For some reason it always install Office 2019 instead of Office 365. Can anyone help me wit that ?
When you install office 365, it will also upgrade to office 2019 if you use Windows 10.
Use this post method to activate, will become Office 365 base Office 2019 version. That meant, you still can upgrade to future office program.
It activates as Office 2019 on windows 10??? Help
Office 365 one selling point is it can upgrade to Office 2019 or future Office program.
If you use this post method to activate, it will become Office 365 base Office 2019 version. That meant, you still can upgrade to future office program.
Enjoy.
i dosent work on windows 8
Make sure your windows 8 no problem before install Office 365 and activate.
作者Guang Peng，你好。
Hellow Guang Peng！
在下是电脑方面的菜鸟，在看你的博客并实践的过程中遇到了一些问题，所以在此向您请教。
I am a novice in computer, I have encountered some problems in the process of reading your blog and practicing, so I would like to consult you here.
（我使用的版本是office365proplus）
(the version I used was office365proplus.)
在它第一次失败时，我尝试使用电脑自带的office恢复工具，恢复到原始状态；
When it first failed, I tried to restore it to its original state by using the office recovery tool that came with the computer.
在它第二次失败时，我使用你博客中的方法卸载了密钥，（尽管我不知道那时是否拥有密钥，我的感觉告诉我它没有，因为我打开时他总是让我激活）；
The second time it failed, I used the method in your blog to uninstall the key (although I don’t know if I had the key at the time, my senses tell me it didn’t, because it always asks me to activate it when I open it);
在它第三次失败时，我使用微软的office卸载工具卸载了电脑中的office，并且重新下载了office365proplus版本，然而在运行cmd的时候它依旧失败了，总是提示让我下载新版本，作为小白，我实在找不到其他尝试的方法了，我不知道到底哪里出了错误，望您能赐教！
When it failed for the third time, I use Microsoft office uninstall tool uninstall the office in a computer, and to download the office365proplus version, but it still failed, when run CMD always prompt let me download the new version, as the small white, I really can’t find other way to try, I don’t know what’s wrong with the exactly, hope you can grant instruction!
Top community, click in.
Create a question with activate fail picture attach.
Mr. Guang or others will try to help you to solve your activation fail problem.