Finding out the number of remaining installs on a key

[mike6623]

I just started a job doing desktop support, mostly for medical records software. My boss is out and I am to install office 2010 professional plus on a few different peoples computers and do not want to look stupid if one doesn't work. We have already installed it on multiple computers. I belioeve it is a volume liscense

My question is, is there a way I can run the key to see how many installs are left on that key?

 

[NoelDP]

No - the general rule is ONE KEY = ONE INSTALL
It makes no difference whether the install is on bare metal, or a VM - unless you have a Volume License, then a Key can ONLY be used ONCE, on the system on which it is installed.

A Retaill Key can be moved - but ONLY if the original installation no longer exists.
An OEM Key cannot be moved.
A Volume License Key cannot be moved - a new computer/motherboard will ALWAYS consume one of the Licenses.

 

[mike6623]

No - the general rule is ONE KEY = ONE INSTALL
It makes no difference whether the install is on bare metal, or a VM - unless you have a Volume License, then a Key can ONLY be used ONCE, on the system on which it is installed.

A Retaill Key can be moved - but ONLY if the original installation no longer exists.
An OEM Key cannot be moved.
A Volume License Key cannot be moved - a new computer/motherboard will ALWAYS consume one of the Licenses.

Well I ask because I am not sure if it is a volume key or a retail key, but we have installed office 2010 on multiple machines with the same exact key. So I am assumung there are a number we can use before it runs out, I just wanted to know if there is a way to check and see how many machines we can use the key for before we have to buy more.

 

[NoelDP]

Post an MGADiag report - it'll tell us the detail.....
To properly analyse and solve problems with Activation and Validation, we need to see a full copy of the report produced by the MGADiag tool (download and save to desktop - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 )
Once saved, run the tool.
Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.
To copy the report to your response, click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages at this point), and then paste (using either r-click/Paste, or Ctrl+V ) into your response.
- **in your own thread**, please
Please also state the Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one) on the case of your machine, but do NOT quote the Key on the sticker!
How to Tell - Home

 

[mike6623]

Thank you, but I am not having problems with activation and validation, I just want to know how many activations are remaining, and if there is a way to check that

 

[NoelDP]

The simple answer is ....... NONE!

 

[mike6623]

Haha, well then why am I able to use the same key over and over again on multiple computers, and they are not fakes or whatever, this is a non for profit org and is very straight laced about everything, everything they buy is dorectly from MS? MS doesn't sell businesses office products with multiple activations so they don't need a new one for every employee they have??

 

[NoelDP]

In that case, why are you so averse to posting the ONLY results that may mean anything?

If the Key is a Volume key, then presumably the System Admin is aware of how many computers it has been activated on, and how many activations remain.

If it's not a Volume license, then there are NO activations left.

It's very simple really.
If you can't stand the heat - leave the kitchen.

 

[DavidE]

You could look in the Office Help / Activating / Activating volume editions...

See if anything there helps.

From what I see in the help, I would call the Activation Center, explain the situation, and see if they can answer any questions.

 

[mike6623]

You just said "A Volume License Key cannot be moved " this is what you said before "If it's not a Volume license, then there are NO activations left." which to me means you can use it on multiple computers. And no, our IT director does not keep track of how many computers have office 2010 on it, when someone asks, they get it, with the same key. Simple really, the IT director does not keep count, I know this because he said, sometime within the next 3 monts we need to order another key. No need to be rude, I am just asking a question, sorry you know more than me...

 

[richnrockville]

FWIW; Non profits can buy very cheap MS Licenses via Techsoup. My np has lots of ms sofware bought thru techsoup and delivered from MS.

Great for Non-Profits..
Rich

 

[NoelDP]

You just said "A Volume License Key cannot be moved " this is what you said before "If it's not a Volume license, then there are NO activations left." which to me means you can use it on multiple computers. And no, our IT director does not keep track of how many computers have office 2010 on it, when someone asks, they get it, with the same key. Simple really, the IT director does not keep count, I know this because he said, sometime within the next 3 monts we need to order another key. No need to be rude, I am just asking a question, sorry you know more than me...

It means nothing of the kind.
ALL Windows Keys, except Volume ones, are on a one Key, one install basis.
Volume Keys (and the Family Pack, now withdrawn( have as many installations as have been paid for.
ALL Volume Keys are Upgrade installs, and require a valid Professional license to be available on the machine which is being upgraded (e.g. Win XP Pro, Vista Business, Win 7 Pro)

If your IT director doesn't keep track, then he's a fool - and you can quote me on that.

If you want to change the track to Office, then the rules are different - but essentially similar - due to the possibility of installation of some editions on more than one machine... but ONLY where the two machines are used primarily by the same person.

The FACT remains - for anything other than Volume license, it's ONE KEY=ONE INSTALL.
For Volume Licenses, if you contact the vendor, they will be able to access the number of licenses available, and the number currently used. Your IT director should be doing this as a matter of course - or keeping track himself using the tools available from MS.

For the general user, there are no such tools available.

 

[mike6623]

You just said "A Volume License Key cannot be moved " this is what you said before "If it's not a Volume license, then there are NO activations left." which to me means you can use it on multiple computers. And no, our IT director does not keep track of how many computers have office 2010 on it, when someone asks, they get it, with the same key. Simple really, the IT director does not keep count, I know this because he said, sometime within the next 3 monts we need to order another key. No need to be rude, I am just asking a question, sorry you know more than me...

It means nothing of the kind.
ALL Windows Keys, except Volume ones, are on a one Key, one install basis.
Volume Keys (and the Family Pack, now withdrawn( have as many installations as have been paid for.
ALL Volume Keys are Upgrade installs, and require a valid Professional license to be available on the machine which is being upgraded (e.g. Win XP Pro, Vista Business, Win 7 Pro)

If your IT director doesn't keep track, then he's a fool - and you can quote me on that.

If you want to change the track to Office, then the rules are different - but essentially similar - due to the possibility of installation of some editions on more than one machine... but ONLY where the two machines are used primarily by the same person.

The FACT remains - for anything other than Volume license, it's ONE KEY=ONE INSTALL.
For Volume Licenses, if you contact the vendor, they will be able to access the number of licenses available, and the number currently used. Your IT director should be doing this as a matter of course - or keeping track himself using the tools available from MS.

For the general user, there are no such tools available.

Great, that was a little easier to understand, plus, after looking futher it is 2010 ProfessionalPlus VL so it is a volume license, so I guess that is why the same key can be used on multiple machines for upgrades. And since there is no way other than contacting vendor (which I do believe is tech soup) to find out the remainder of keys, that is what I will do.

 

[fseal]

Basically the answer is, you need to keep track of it yourself.

If you bought 100 keys/lisences, you need to keep track of how many you've installed and which ones.

This tool may help for the future: Manage Product Keys Using Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0

If you horrendously overuse a single key you may find that key unceremoniously deactivated for ALL installs or worse you may get audited one day

 

[NoelDP]

Great, that was a little easier to understand, plus, after looking futher it is 2010 ProfessionalPlus VL so it is a volume license, so I guess that is why the same key can be used on multiple machines for upgrades. And since there is no way other than contacting vendor (which I do believe is tech soup) to find out the remainder of keys, that is what I will do.

TechSoup do seem to try - I've had minor dealings with them about their sale of KMS installs to one-machine offices previously (which were never resolved properly IMO), and at least they answer emails

Since you're dealing with TechSoup, I assume you're a non-profit of some kind? If so, then the reported attitude of your IT director would appear to verge on the criminally negligent - every license has to be paid for, and if he's buying new ones frqeuently, he should be finding out why it's necessary, and auditing the systems involved.

 

[gmoro0002]

I have the same issue. Our former IT person did not keep track of the licenses for Volume licensing. I am trying to see how many installs are available, is there a way to do so?

 

[LMiller7]

Post #12 answers your question.
It is best to create your own thread when asking a question.