no access to email used to order Office Products, cannot install without product keys

E M 20 Reputation points
2026-09-25T15:54:30.2333333+00:00

I purchased Office Pro plus and Project Pro 2016 through the military's Home Use program. I have not had access to years to to move and eventually retirement. The CDs are unused, I just have no way of getting the product key

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For business | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
Kai-L 19,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-09-25T22:34:27.59+00:00

Dear E M,

Unfortunately, as a forum moderator, I am not able to look up or recover a product key for you. My role here is limited to general guidance you can apply from your side.

First, check whether the purchase is linked to a personal account rather than the old work address. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/services with any personal Microsoft account you may have used at the time and look under Services and subscriptions.

If nothing appears there, the purchase was likely made under the older Home Use Program, which is handled separately. For products bought before 30 November 2018, you request the key here: Workplace Discount Program order history. You enter the work email address used for the purchase and the key is emailed to that address. I should be straightforward with you though, since that is the address you no longer have access to, this route may not get you far, and the page also notes you need to still be with the same organization.

There is one further point worth knowing before you spend time on this. Office 2016 and Project 2016 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, and Microsoft no longer provides phone or chat technical support for them. Even if you recover the keys, the software will install but will receive no security updates. Given that, it may be worth considering a current version instead, particularly as the Workplace Discount Program still offers a discount on Microsoft 365 subscriptions for eligible military personnel.
For reference: Microsoft Workplace Discount Program (formerly Home Use Program) - Microsoft Store

I hope this helps you decide the best way forward.

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