What do you do when you launch Microsoft Office and get the prompt "Activation Required" but don't have a product key? Whether you lost the product key, didn't purchase the Office, or downloaded a cracked version, numerous methods exist to activate Microsoft Office 2023 without the product key.

This article is a step-by-step guide on how to activate Microsoft Office without a product key. It will also provide answers to questions about the legality of doing this, potential risks, and an alternative software you can use.

Additionally, this article will provide you the free alternative to Microsoft Office, WPS Office, which can give you the same features as MS Office and excellent use experience, while costing no risks of using cracked MS Office.

Microsoft Office subscription is out of our budget and we are eagar to find a way to use its features for free. After trying different available tutorials on the Internet, I find it complex and tedious to follow those steps. Why not give another office suite a shot? WPS Office can satisfy your need. Switching from Microsoft Office to WPS Office is possibly the easiest transition, as WPS Office has all-in-one workspace for different tasks.

Free and Lightweight: WPS Office is free to download and uses minimal system resources, making it ideal for all types of PCs.

Rich Features: Includes Writer, Excel, PowerPoint, a PDF toolkit, screen recorder, OCR, and more.

High Compatibility: Works with Microsoft Office file types and runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and HarmonyOS.

Templates Store: Access a wide range of ready-to-use templates for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

User-Friendly Design: Sleek interface with customizable layouts and tab-style document viewing.

Co-Editing: Edit documents in real-time with AirPage for effortless teamwork.

Cloud Collaboration: Premium users can work seamlessly with WPS Drive, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

AI Integration: Built-in AI assists with spell-checking, data analysis, formatting, voice typing, and more.

WPS Office delivers a complete and efficient solution—perfect for personal or professional use.

In this step-by-step guide to activate Office without a product key, we will discuss four methods you can use. Note that these steps work on all versions of Microsoft Office. With these methods, you don’t need to buy anything or enter a product key. So, follow the instruction as it applies to your situation.

If you use a Windows PC, KMSpico is one of the best programs to activate Microsoft Office. KMSpico is a free-to-download key management service activator software designed by TeamDAZ. It is a powerful tool designed to activate different Microsoft Office and Windows product versions.

The KMSpico tool is a simple tool that permanently activates Microsoft Office. As long as you don't format your PC, even if you are connected to the internet or logged into your Microsoft Office account, you won't have to do the same steps to activate the license in the future.

Here’s how to activate Office 365 without a product key using KMSpico:

1. Visit KMSpico's official website to download the KMSpico software.

2. Turn off the antivirus on your PC by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Window Security, then click on Open Windows Security to turn off Virus & threat production and other malware detection as it may interfere with the KMSpico installation or activation process.

3. Go to the download folder on your PC and double-tap on the KMSpico rar file to extract it. If you get a prompt to enter a password, use 2023 and click the proceed button.

4. After extracting the file, run the KMSpico installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

5. When installation is complete, open the software and click on Activate Office.

6. A command prompt window will pop up, allowing it to run until you get a success prompt, ensuring your PC remains connected to the internet at all times.

If you are a Mac user, the VL Serializer tool is the best tool to activate Microsoft Office. The Volume License Serializer is an easy activation method that activates the Office on your PC using a volume license key. Typically, this method is used by organizations and enterprises.

The VL Serializer is a small command-line-based tool that activates the version of Office installed on your Mac. It allows users to deploy a pre-activated copy of Office on a given Mac computer. As such, you won’t see any activation prompt when you open the copy of Office.

Here’s how to activate Microsoft Office using the VL Serializer Tool:

1. Install Microsoft Office on your Mac PC, but do not open it.

2. Go to Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center or Github to download the Microsoft Office VL Serializer.

3. When the download is complete, open the Serializer and click Continue to install.

4. Choose a destination where you want to install it and select Continue.

5. You may be prompted to enter your Mac password on the next page. If you have one, do so, then select Install.

6. When installation is complete, click on Close to continue.

7. Go to Launchpad, open any Microsoft Office program like Excel or Word, and click on the skip the sign-in option.

8. On the next page, click on Start Using Word or Excel, depending on what Microsoft program you open.

9. To check if the program is successfully activated, open Excel, for example, then click on the Excel option, then About Microsoft Excel.

Android users are another category of users we will discuss in this guide. Using Microsoft Office products on an Android phone still requires activation to unlock all its features. Typically, to get this activation, you need a Microsoft account linked to a premium subscription.

However, if you don't want to pay for a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, downloading and installing a cracked version of Microsoft Office 365 is the easiest option. But be cautious if you choose to do this, as downloading a cracked version of any software, particularly from a third-party website, might be a potential risk. These risks include Viruses, leaking personal info, legal issues, additional rogue apps forced to install, etc.

Here’s how to activate Microsoft Office by downloading a cracked version:

1. Go to Google and search for the keyword Microsoft 365 MOD APK.

2. From the displayed list, click on a third-party website from which you are comfortable downloading software.

3. Find the download link and download the software.

4. Ensure you enable app installation from an unknown source by going to Settings > Security, then toggle the switch on for Unknown Source.

5. Go to your download folder, find the Microsoft 365 MOD file, and click it.

6. Now tap on the Install button and wait for the installation to complete.

7. When installation is complete, open Microsoft 365 and enjoy its premium service.

Unfortunately, for those using an iOS device, there’s no way to use the premium version of the Microsoft Office app without paying. However, if you're adamant about using Microsoft Office, downloading the Microsoft 365 app is the best option. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based software, but you can use it in free mode. However, when using Microsoft 365 in free mode, many of it will be with limited features.

Here's how to install Microsoft 365 on an iOS device:

1. Go to the App Store, tap on search, then search for Microsoft Office.

2. When the download is complete, open the Office app.

3. When the app opens, you will be prompted to create a Microsoft Office account, sign in or skip, or choose Not Now to skip this process.

4. You can now enjoy Microsoft 365 in free mode when the app opens up.

The question about the legality of activating Office without a product key is in a gray area. Ideally, if you didn't purchase Microsoft Office, activating it with the product key you found online is between illegal and unethical. But the real question is, will Microsoft come after you for activating Office without a product key?

Using Microsoft Office without a product key doesn't matter as an end user, as Microsoft will not pursue you specifically. However, it's not the same for companies and business firms as they are the ones who need to pay more attention to legal issues. If you're an employee, illegality matters because your company could be asked to pay hefty fines if you use a Microsoft product without the right to do so.

If you purchased Microsoft Office online, you can see the product key from your account profile when you select Order History. You will receive a printed product key if you purchase Office at a physical store.

The cost of Microsoft Office varies depending on whether you are getting it as an individual, enterprise, or business. The Microsoft 365 Business Basic costs $6 per user monthly, the Business Standard costs $12.50 per user, and the Business Premium costs $22 monthly. The Microsoft 365 Personal costs $6.99 monthly, or $69.99 yearly, while the Microsoft 365 Family costs $9.99 monthly, or $99.99 yearly.

Getting the Microsoft Office key cheaply can vary in legitimacy. Some cheap Microsoft Office keys are legitimate, while others may not be. So, it's important to remain cautious at all times.

Conclusively, activating Microsoft Office without a product key is affordable for those who can't afford or don't want to pay for a Microsoft Office subscription. However, you can download alternative software, the WPS, rather than using this method.