Activation and registration of a Microsoft product

This article discusses the difference between activating and registering a Microsoft product.

Activation

You must activate your Microsoft product to confirm that each copy of the product is not installed on more than the limited number of computers that is indicated in the software end user license agreement (EULA). The activation process can be performed by using the telephone, a modem, or the Internet. None of the information that is collected during activation will be used to personally identify you.

To activate your product over the telephone, use one of the following numbers:

• Office activation (U.S. only): (888) 652-2342
• Windows activation: (888) 571-2048
• TTY number: (800) 718-1599
• If you are an International customer, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
  http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/numbers.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/numbers.mspx)

For more information about Microsoft product activation, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To review additional Microsoft Knowledge Base articles about this topic, visit the following Microsoft Web site and search the Knowledge Base for "product activation":For more information about Microsoft product activation, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Registration

You do not have to register your Microsoft product. However, when you register your product, you can receive support, product update information, and additional benefits. When you register your product, you must submit some personal information.

To register your product and for help with product registration issues, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note Registration of a Microsoft product does not provide to us your proof of purchase for that product. You should maintain any receipts or records of your purchases of Microsoft products in case you need to obtain replacement media or product keys. For more information about obtaining replacement media or product keys, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft respects your privacy. To review Microsoft's Privacy Policy, visit the following Microsoft Web site: If you want to be removed from the Microsoft and third-party mailing list, send a letter with your request to the following address: