When it comes to Microsoft Office 2016, one of the most frequently asked questions is about licensing and the number of devices or PCs that can be activated with a single Microsoft account. For many users, understanding the intricacies of Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license is crucial for making sure they are compliant with Microsoft’s licensing policies and can efficiently manage their installations. In this blog post, we will explore the maximum number of licenses that can be activated under a single Microsoft account and help you better understand how Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus licenses work.
Introduction to Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus License for 3 PCs
Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus is an enhanced version of Office 2016, providing professional-grade tools for work productivity. Whether you’re working on documents, creating presentations, or analyzing data, Office 2016 Professional Plus delivers all the essential tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. With the Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs, users gain the ability to install and use these applications on up to three separate devices.
One of the most common inquiries when purchasing a Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs is about how many devices or accounts can be activated under the same Microsoft account. Users often wonder if they can install Office 2016 across multiple machines and if they can use the same Microsoft account for all activations.
In this article, we’ll break down the details of Office 2016 license activations, Microsoft account management, and what you need to know about the number of devices that can be linked to a single Microsoft account.
Understanding Microsoft Office 2016 Licensing and Activation
Before we delve into the specific question, it’s important to understand the licensing model that Microsoft Office 2016 follows. There are different versions of Office 2016 available for purchase, including:
- Office Home & Student 2016
- Office Home & Business 2016
- Office Professional 2016
- Office Professional Plus 2016
When you purchase Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs, it generally allows for installation on up to three separate computers or devices. However, the number of licenses activated under the same Microsoft account may differ based on the specifics of the license agreement.
Each Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license is tied to a Microsoft account and linked to an activation key, which is provided at the time of purchase. The activation process ensures that you have legal access to use the software on your PCs.
The key question remains: how many of these licenses can be activated with the same Microsoft account?
The Maximum Number of Office 2016 Licenses You Can Activate Using the Same Microsoft Account
The maximum number of Office 2016 licenses you can activate using the same Microsoft account is three.
With the Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs, the license allows for installation and activation of Office on three separate devices or PCs. When you purchase this version of Microsoft Office, you are granted the ability to download and install Office on three different machines, provided that you use the same Microsoft account to activate the product.
However, it’s important to understand that each individual license corresponds to one installation of Office. Therefore, you will need to carefully manage your licenses to ensure they’re being used on the right devices. If you try to install Office 2016 on more than three devices with the same Microsoft account, you will encounter activation errors, as the license can only be activated on three devices.
To ensure that your Office 2016 Professional Plus installation stays within compliance with Microsoft’s terms of use, you must avoid exceeding the number of devices allowed per license. Each Office 2016 Professional Plus license that’s tied to your Microsoft account can only be activated on three devices, regardless of whether those devices are desktops, laptops, or tablets.
What Happens If You Try to Exceed the Maximum Number of Activations?
If you attempt to install and activate Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus on more than three devices with the same Microsoft account, you will receive an error message indicating that you’ve exceeded the allowed number of activations. Microsoft will typically not allow you to use the same activation key beyond the three-device limit, and you may be asked to deactivate Office on one of your existing devices before you can install it on a new one.
To resolve the issue, you can log into your Microsoft account and manage your devices from there. Microsoft offers the ability to deactivate Office on one machine remotely, allowing you to install and activate the software on a new device, provided you stay within the limit of three activations.
How to Manage Office 2016 Activations on Multiple Devices
When you purchase the Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs, managing your activations effectively is key to ensuring you stay within the allowed limits. Here’s how you can manage Office 2016 activations:
- Sign in to Your Microsoft Account: Use your Microsoft account to sign in to the Office website. Here, you can manage your subscriptions and activations.
- Check Your Installations: From your Microsoft account dashboard, you can view the devices where Office 2016 is installed and activated. This makes it easy to track your licenses and ensure you’re not exceeding the three-device limit.
- Deactivate a Device: If you want to install Office 2016 on a new PC, but you’ve already reached the activation limit, you can deactivate Office on an old device. This will free up an activation slot for your new installation.
- Transfer Licenses: If you’re switching PCs or no longer using a device, deactivating the license and transferring it to a new PC is a simple process via your Microsoft account.
Is There Any Way to Use Microsoft Office 2016 Beyond the 3 Device Limit?
If you need to install Office 2016 on more than three devices, you’ll need to purchase an additional license or opt for a different Office plan. Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) offers subscription-based access to Office applications, with the flexibility to install Office on multiple devices, depending on your subscription plan.
Alternatives for Larger Teams or Businesses
For businesses or teams that require more than three devices to be activated under a single account, Microsoft Volume Licensing may be a more suitable option. This option allows for a more flexible licensing model that enables the activation of Office on a larger number of devices. Volume licenses are ideal for businesses that require more than three installations and need to manage a large number of users or devices across their organization.
Conclusion
In summary, the Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs allows you to install and activate the software on up to three devices using the same Microsoft account. Once you reach the three-device limit, you will need to deactivate Office on one of your existing machines to activate it on a new one.
By understanding the limits and managing your installations effectively, you can ensure that you’re fully compliant with Microsoft’s terms of use while making the most of your Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license.
FAQs
- Can I install Microsoft Office 2016 on more than three devices?
No, the Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus license for 3 PCs allows for a maximum of three installations per license. To install on more devices, you would need to purchase additional licenses or switch to a different plan such as Microsoft 365.
2.What happens if I try to activate Office 2016 on a fourth device?
If you try to activate Office 2016 on a fourth device with the same Microsoft account, you will receive an error message indicating that you have exceeded the activation limit. To resolve this, you can deactivate Office on one of your existing devices.
3. How do I deactivate Microsoft Office 2016 on a device?
You can deactivate Microsoft Office 2016 by signing into your Microsoft account, navigating to the Office dashboard, and selecting the device you wish to deactivate. Once deactivated, you can install Office on a new device.
4. Can I transfer my Microsoft Office 2016 license to a new PC?
Yes, you can transfer your Microsoft Office 2016 license to a new PC by deactivating it on the old device and then activating it on the new one using the same Microsoft account.
5. Can I use the same Microsoft account for multiple Office licenses?
Yes, you can use the same Microsoft account for multiple Office licenses, but each license will be tied to the maximum number of devices allowed per license .
