Clean Install and Office Licenses

Aunt recently purchased a new laptop. I recommended a clean install, get all the junk off, etc. Done it on a few other laptops prior. Shouldn't be an issue for me.

However, she has a copy of Office 2010 installed on the laptop. My understanding is that this is software from her work, and is some sort of business license or something along those lines. She said she only has 2 opportunities (or is it 2 licenses?) to install Office 2010. Her concern is that if I do a clean install, I will then have to use the 2nd key, and she has no options in the future should the hard drive ever crash or she gets another computer, etc.

I'm not really sure where to find more info on whether a clean install will indeed mean that she has to use another license. Is there anywhere I can determine if I have to worry about this? If I uninstall the Office already installed, then reinstall after the clean, will I be OK?

Appreciate the help. If I can't get a clear answer on this, will probably just leave the laptop alone as it came from the factory....

 

I think you should be okay reusing the current key on a new installation. Generally, keys are valid for a single computer, not a single installation. And if it's a site license, you should have no problem reusing the key, unless the max number of uses has been reached, in which case it's the company's problem.

If you don't mind spending the time, you can test by installing office on a virtual machine and seeing if it activates correctly.

 

Yup, Just use the same key. If it gives any trouble, just call up MS and they will reactivate it for you.

 

Re-installed my version of Office (business furnished editions) several times over the years. No issues. Should load and activate fine.