Activating Word or Office

When you first install Microsoft Word 2003 or Office 2003, you are asked to activate the software, either by connecting briefly to Microsoft's Web site or by phone. Activation allows Microsoft to verify that your copy of Word or Office is legitimate, and that it is not running on more computers than it is licensed to run on.

If you do not activate Word or Office within 30 days, you will lose the ability to edit or create new content with it (though you will still be able to read existing files).

To activate Word, choose Help, Activate Product. The Microsoft Product Activation Wizard appears. Follow its step-by-step instructions to connect to the Internet and activate your product (or, if you are not connected to the Internet, follow its instructions for calling Microsoft).