When Microsoft Office 2010 was first installed on your computer, you were asked to enter a unique product key code.

By now, you may have thrown away or lost that sequence of 25 letters and numbers. The problem with that is, you need that code if you ever need to reinstall Microsoft Office 2010.

Fortunately, you do have options for finding that key code:

1. You have obviously looked for the key code, but may have missed some of these places:


· An email from either Microsoft or Digital River that contains the code (if you purchased from Microsoft Online Store)

· A Certificate of Authenticity that may have been included with your computer or device, if Microsoft Office came pre-installed on it

· Records kept by your company’s IT department, who likely originally installed Office on your computer

· An Installation CD or DVD, or the case it came in

· Inside the Office 2010 manual

· The back of a card fastened to the product box

Tip: You can visit this Microsoft Office 2010 Key Code Help Site, which provides scenario-based solutions based on how you bought your original copy of Microsoft Office 2010. I like this site’s interface because it prompts you toward different solutions based on your situation. Don’t be surprised, however, when this site directs you to some of the places listed above.

2. Try a free, third-party solution that finds it in your computer.

Take a look at these Top 3 Free Software Key Code Locator Programs for Microsoft Office, which work off the premise that your key code is concealed in your computer’s registry.

3. If all else fails, contact Microsoft.

You may need to Contact Microsoft Support to help you recover that key code a different way. The company may need to issue you an entirely new card, which can be either simple or involved depending on the circumstances. You may need to verify your Microsoft Account if you used it to purchase Office 2010 online. Microsoft Accounts are the new Windows Live ID and other obsolete sign-ins.

The Purpose of Unistallation and Reinstallation

Your office software reinstallation is supposed to restore your original program’s files and paths, but there’s a messy way and clean way to go about it.

By uninstalling that office software before reinstalling it, you will start with a clean slate. It serves as a more organized, reliable way to get that suite working withing the larger system of your computer.

For more information on product key codes or to find them for versions other than Office 2010, please refer back to the Where to Find Your Microsoft Office Product Key Code index page.