Can Microsoft trace a missing copy of MS Office Professional?

[keydet1979]

I have two copies of the MS Office Professional software. One of the copies
is missing along with a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Standard software. Can
Microsoft trace the software to a specific PC and owner who could have
potentially lifted the software and installed on their own machine? I want to
understand my options.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No. You need to repurchase the software.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

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:

| I have two copies of the MS Office Professional software. One of the copies
| is missing along with a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Standard software. Can
| Microsoft trace the software to a specific PC and owner who could have
| potentially lifted the software and installed on their own machine? I want to
| understand my options.
| --
| Thanks,
| SMH

 

[keydet1979]

So why do we need to enter a key code when we install/register the software?
If someone steals the software, so be it. I cannot believe that Microsoft has
no way to trace who and what machine the software is entered on based on the
key code. Please explain in additional detail.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If someone stole money from your wallet, can you visit
your bank and ask for a replacement? Please use common
sense! Microsoft does not employ any method to trace
stolen software or hardware. Be more careful in the future!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

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"keydet1979" wrote:

| So why do we need to enter a key code when we install/register the software?
| If someone steals the software, so be it. I cannot believe that Microsoft has
| no way to trace who and what machine the software is entered on based on the
| key code. Please explain in additional detail.
| --
| Thanks,
| SMH

 

[Brian C]

Activation is anonymus and does not transfer names or anything. Sorry.

 

[keydet1979]

One other note, if Microsoft cannot help me to find the culprit, then it must
be OK for me to install my other copy of multiple machines!! If you are not
going to help me find a thief, then why should I worry about your policies if
you are not going to enforce them.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

So you wish to become a thief yourself?
Grow up and take responsibility!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"keydet1979" wrote:

| One other note, if Microsoft cannot help me to find the culprit, then it must
| be OK for me to install my other copy of multiple machines!! If you are not
| going to help me find a thief, then why should I worry about your policies if
| you are not going to enforce them.
| --
| Thanks,
| SMH

 

[keydet1979]

Unfortunately, I do not enter my serial numbers for my bills like I enter the
key code for MS Office. How can I find the key code on the software that has
been entered and can you turn off upgrades to this key code?

I believe Microsoft does not want to admit that they trace this type of data
- if not, then Microsoft would go broke since they would have no way to
protect their copywrite on the software.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

I wondered whether you were asking as the legal owner or the
thief. Apparently, it's the latter.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

ROTFL!

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, garfield-n-odie asked:

| I wondered whether you were asking as the legal owner or the
| thief. Apparently, it's the latter.
|
| keydet1979 wrote:
|
|| One other note, if Microsoft cannot help me to find the culprit,
|| then it must be OK for me to install my other copy of multiple
|| machines!! If you are not going to help me find a thief, then why
|| should I worry about your policies if you are not going to enforce
|| them.

 

[keydet1979]

Are you too good to respond to this answer? I can see that you have reverted
to SA answers. Appreciate the tremendous help of a certified AH vs. what I
thought was suppose to be a professional MVP. The point that I was trying to
make below is you (Microsoft) are essentially saying FOAD on someone stealing
my software where I went out and bought two copies for my different machines
(to be legal) and the applicable response is buy another copy.

The better question is why should someone not rip off Microsoft? What is the
purpose of the key code?

 

[Gordon]

professional MVP.

MVPs are NOT "professional" - they are unpaid.

you (Microsoft)

This ia a PUBLIC NEWSGROUP which just happens to be hosted on a Microsoft
server. You are NOT I repeat, NOT talking to Microsoft!

 

[Bob I]

Contact your insurance agent and file a claim. Microsoft does not
perform "user tracing".

 

[Peter Foldes]

You are living in a glass enclosed world.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

 

[JoAnn Paules - MVP Publisher]

If Microsoft collected the kind of information you're talking about you would
be screaming about the invasion of privacy.

I wasn't going to be the person to tell you that that information is not
collected because *you* could be the person who stole/borrowed the software
and didn't want to get busted by Microsoft. This may come as a surprise to
you but there are people who actually tell lies on the web.

 

[JoAnn Paules - MVP Publisher]

I had the same thought.

 

[youllneverguess]

Use first license, wait 4 months, then use it on the other computers.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

When you entered the key code, did you also enter your name and address?..
do you think that anybody using your software will have to enter their name
and address?.. you know the answer already, so how are Microsoft going to
trace your software?.. through the IP address?.. that changes at every
reboot..



--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

"If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept
it all to themselves." - Lane Kirkland

 

[Alien Accountant]

I installed my Office 2003 Professional on my laptop backed it up on an
external drive and keep all of my original installation disks in the floor
safe in my home. My home was recently robbed in which they stole my laptop,
my external drive, which was kept in a shoebox in my son's room and they were
able to extract my safe from the floor. Now tell me, how could I have been
any more careful.

If I am going to pay this much for software I would excpect that Microsoft
should be able to send me a replacement disc, seeing how the software is
registered in my name. Otherwise what is the point of registering the
software?
--
My undying gratitude for sharing your knowlege, wisdom and experience.

D.L. Shields
Alien Accounting Services
Sacramento, Ca.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

And if they did keep track of who had what software key, the public would be
screaming bloody murder about invasion of privacy.

I assume you have home owners insurance - make sure you add your software to
the list of items stolen.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
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