Digging out a Microsoft Office Product Key - HELP

[gotwicks]

iMac HD finally failed after 6 years.... but now I have a shiny new one and tons of RAM - YAASSSSS!
HOWEVER, I need to dig out my office product key that is magically hidden somewhere in my files (No I don't have the box, or sticker or anything obvious)
What's the trick?

 

[IWT]

Hi and welcome.

May I assume that when you say the key is hidden somewhere in your files, that you have transferred your files from the old Mac to the new (eg Time Machine, cloning software, Migration Assistant or via EHD)?

And here again, may I assume you are talking about Microsoft Office for Mac? If that's the case, then it's a question of searching for the Key.

Although Spotlight might do this, a better, and free, option is to download "Find Any File", an app developed by Templeman. You can do all sorts of clever searches with it. But at the end of the day, unless you find the Key.....no deal from Microsoft.

Another thought occurred to me: if your old Mac was 6 years old, it probably ran a very early version of Office for Mac. Your spanking new Mac will be running El Capitan. It is possible that you could be better off with a later, or latest, version of Office?? (2011, 2016, Subscription 365)

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

If by "digging" you mean to find the key from something in Office, that is, as far as I know, not possible. It's a one-time key that isn't actually stored on the drive as part of the installation, but simply authorizes the installation.

 

[IWT]

Ah, good point Jake. I was reading it the other way; a file document with the key created by the OP. Of course, you're right. The Product ID & Registration Key are not stored on the Mac AFAIK.

Ian

 

[chscag]

@gotwicks:

The Mac product key finder is something you can try. If I remember correctly, it works with Office 2008 but I do not know if it works with Office 2011 or 2016. The product key in Office 2008 was encoded in a plist file. I'm not sure how Office 2011 and 2016 encodes the key but since it can detect a change in hardware and must be activated again, it's possible the key is not stored anywhere on your hard drive. Anyway, the Product Key Finder is worth a try. I believe they have a free version in addition to the pay one.

 

[KevinJS]

Just found this. Might be worth a try, if you can access your old HDD.

To move / re-install your licensed copy of Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac on a different computer / OSX installation, and re-authorize it without the license / serial / key available, copy the following from the old machine to the corresponding (same) spot on the new computer.

Please note that you should be looking for these folders in the root directory of the drive on which OSX is installed-- NOT in your user directory. To get there, in the Finder click Go-->Computer-->[name of the hard drive that has OSX installed...usually "Macintosh HD"]...then look for the following folders:

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011 folder (copy the entire folder, with all its contents)
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper
/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist

 

[chscag]

I noticed that the key finder program I linked above does not work with Office 2011 since it states that the product key for Office 2011 is encrypted. If you have Office 2008, it will work.

 

[gotwicks]

Thank you all for the responses..yes the 25 digit code is what I was seeking. Yes I have Microsoft Office 2011 on it (hey, it was $10!) and it works fine with El Capitan until I can score another great deal! LOL Old HD is out of the computer and died...but I did have a full backup on time machine and everything is up and running beautifully. KevinJS thanks for the detailed instructions I'll give it a shot

 

[pm-r]

Seems to be a lot of surplus work and suggestions for the OP and yet the MS version they were using wasn't even mentioned.

EDIT: Sorry, the posts were like two ships passing in the night… and I missed the OP's update.

 

[harryb2448]

Now make sure you update Office 2011. The current version is 14.6.6 and stick with 2011.

 

[gotwicks]

lost....

 

[gotwicks]

Seems to be a lot of surplus work and suggestions for the OP and yet the MS version they were using wasn't even mentioned.

EDIT: Sorry, the posts were like two ships passing in the night… and I missed the OP's update.

I'm lost....

 

[gotwicks]

Hi and welcome.

May I assume that when you say the key is hidden somewhere in your files, that you have transferred your files from the old Mac to the new (eg Time Machine, cloning software, Migration Assistant or via EHD)?

And here again, may I assume you are talking about Microsoft Office for Mac? If that's the case, then it's a question of searching for the Key.

Although Spotlight might do this, a better, and free, option is to download "Find Any File", an app developed by Templeman. You can do all sorts of clever searches with it. But at the end of the day, unless you find the Key.....no deal from Microsoft.

Another thought occurred to me: if your old Mac was 6 years old, it probably ran a very early version of Office for Mac. Your spanking new Mac will be running El Capitan. It is possible that you could be better off with a later, or latest, version of Office?? (2011, 2016, Subscription 365)

Ian

Used the time machine to restore. Same iMac, just new brains and heart

 

[pm-r]

I'm lost....

You posted with the version details while I was in the process of replying, that's all.