How to Activate Office by Phone in 2026 (New Method)
Microsoft has switched off the activation phone line, but the telephone option in the Office Activation Wizard still works. Here is the current method, step by step.
Since 3 December 2025, Microsoft no longer gives out activation codes over the phone. The number in the Office Activation Wizard plays a recording that sends you to aka.ms/aoh.
Choose “activate by telephone” in the wizard anyway, copy the Installation ID, get a Confirmation ID online (from Microsoft’s portal, or the Bitcodes CID tool if you bought from us), then type it back into the wizard. The PC itself can stay offline.
What changed with Office phone activation
The Office Activation Wizard has always offered “I want to activate the software by telephone”: you called Microsoft, read out an Installation ID and typed in the Confirmation ID you were given.
On 3 December 2025 Microsoft retired phone activation for Windows and Office. Calling the number in the wizard now only plays a recording that points you to the Product Activation Portal at aka.ms/aoh.
The telephone option in the wizard still works. Instead of calling, you get the Confirmation ID online and type it into the same boxes.
Before you start
- Install the exact edition and version your key is for (e.g. a key for Office 2021 Professional Plus needs Office 2021 Professional Plus installed).
- This method is for Office on Windows with a one-time-purchase license (Office 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024). Microsoft 365 subscriptions activate by signing in.
- Have a phone or second device with internet ready to get the Confirmation ID.
Step 1: Enter your product key
Open any Office app, such as Word or Excel. On first launch you are asked for your product key: enter the 25-character key and continue.
If you are not asked, go to File → Account and click Activate Product or Change Product Key.
Step 2: Choose telephone activation
The Microsoft Office Activation Wizard opens. Select “I want to activate the software by telephone” and click Next.
Step 3: Copy your Installation ID
Select your country or region. The wizard shows your Installation ID (IID) under Step 2: 9 groups of digits. Keep the wizard open; you will enter the Confirmation ID in boxes A to H on this screen.
Ignore the phone number. Calling it no longer works.
Step 4: Get your Confirmation ID
Pick one of the two options. Both work from your phone.
Option A: Microsoft Product Activation Portal (aka.ms/aoh)
Works for any genuine key. Requires a Microsoft account.
Option B: Bitcodes Get Confirmation ID tool
For keys bought on bitcodes.co. No Microsoft account needed.
Step 5: Enter the Confirmation ID
Alternative: activate from the command line
For volume-licensed Office (e.g. Professional Plus 2019/2021/2024), you can use Microsoft’s ospp.vbs script. Open Command Prompt as administrator:
:: Go to the Office folder (use "Program Files (x86)" for 32-bit Office) cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16" :: 1. Install the product key cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX :: 2. Show the Installation ID cscript ospp.vbs /dinstid :: 3. Apply the Confirmation ID (all digits, no spaces or dashes) cscript ospp.vbs /actcid:CONFIRMATIONID :: 4. Check the activation status cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus
Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 all use the Office16 folder. Get the Confirmation ID as described in Step 4.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Key not accepted | The installed Office doesn’t match the key. Uninstall it, install the exact edition and version the key is for, then try again. |
| No telephone option | The product activates by Microsoft account sign-in (Microsoft 365, or a key redeemed to an account), or the wrong edition is installed. See the FAQ below. |
| Portal rejects the IID | Check that you selected Microsoft Office and the correct version, and that every digit matches the wizard exactly. |
| CID not accepted | Re-type all 8 groups. Make sure the CID was generated from the IID currently shown in the wizard; it changes if you enter a different key. |
| Asks to activate again | Remove old or trial Office licenses (e.g. a pre-installed Microsoft 365 trial), then repeat the activation. |
Frequently asked questions
Can you still activate Office by phone in 2026?
Not by calling. Microsoft ended telephone activation for its products on 3 December 2025; the phone line now sends you to aka.ms/aoh. The telephone option in the Office Activation Wizard still works: you take the Installation ID from it, get a Confirmation ID online, and enter it into the wizard.
Which Office versions can be activated this way?
One-time-purchase Office for Windows that shows the Activation Wizard, such as Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 (for example Professional Plus). Microsoft 365 subscriptions and Office products redeemed to a Microsoft account are activated by signing in, not with an Installation ID.
Does the PC need an internet connection?
No. The PC can stay offline. You only need internet on the device you use to get the Confirmation ID, such as your phone.
Do I need a Microsoft account?
Microsoft’s Product Activation Portal (aka.ms/aoh) requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you bought your key from Bitcodes, our Get Confirmation ID tool only needs your order number and email.
Can I activate Office for Mac by phone?
No. Office for Mac is activated by signing in with a Microsoft account. The Installation ID method in this guide is for Office on Windows.
Why doesn’t the Activation Wizard show a telephone option?
The installed Office doesn’t match your key (for example a Microsoft 365 or Home & Business install with a Professional Plus key), or the product is meant to be activated by signing in. Install the exact edition and version your key is for, then open the wizard again.
Need an Office license?
Genuine Microsoft Office keys, with help from our team if activation gives you any trouble.