Merchants offer a ‘Lifetime Product Key’ but, as we’ve explained, that’s not something they can guarantee with Microsoft holding a ‘Kill Switch’. If the licence has expired or now considered illegal or invalid, the software will stop working or switch to a ‘Reduced Functionality’ or ‘Read Only’ mode. This happens in the background without you noticing.
Occasionally, the software will ‘phone home’ to Microsoft’s system to verify that the licence is still OK. Microsoft can disable Office, Visio, Project etc at any time, not just at installation. Modern Office software, since at least Office 2010, has a ‘Kill Switch’. Assuming these reviews are real (many are fake), it doesn’t mean much. Many cheap Office offers come with reviews from people saying they have successfully installed and activated Office, Project, Visio etc. Similarly, don’t buy something that requires you to login using a separate email/password. Other sites might have legitimate install downloads but there’s a real risk that ‘extras’ have been added like malware, viruses etc. This is vital! If the install instructions say to download from a non-Microsoft site, DON’T. Here’s what to look out for and how to protect yourself. Misunderstandings about how modern Office is licenced and activated. There are some little-known risks involved in these shady transactions.
Still, when someone is offering $500 plus of software for under $20 it’s tempting and buyers think it’s worth the risk. None those companies nor Microsoft seem much interested in stopping the illegal sales, they are numerous and obvious. has noted before how even well-known sites like Facebook, Amazon and Ebay will offer blatantly illegal Office software. Project is even more expensive with software plans from $30 a month or Project Professional for $1,280! Project Online is $7 a month.Īt those prices, it’s little wonder that occasional users will start looking for cheaper alternatives? Visio Online only can be had for $5 a month or $60 a year, Visio software plans start at $15 a month up to a one-time price of $530 for Visio Professional. Microsoft Project and Visio are expensive extras to Microsoft Office so it’s tempting to buy cheap versions from sites like Ebay but there are traps for the unwary.
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