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Microsoft On-Premises Support: Download, Installation, and Activation

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Contents

 

Overview

This article will direct you to the different Microsoft and TechSoup support resources and instructions required to move forward with download and activating, or deploying Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) on-premise and Open Value (OV) on-premise products.   If you requested Office 365 or Microsoft 365, please visit TechSoup's Microsoft Cloud Customer Support for more information about Microsoft cloud solutions available through TechSoup.

Not all Microsoft on-premises (desktop) products follow a download and installation process.  Some will use an activation process instead, which means you will not always have a download link and key available.   

Review which versions of Microsoft products are currently available through TechSoup.

Learn how to locate and access on-premises Microsoft products in your Microsoft 365 Admin Center.  Unable to locate your licenses?  Please review and complete all of the requirements to view and access your products.

 

What Type of Licenses & Keys are Available?

Not all Microsoft on-premises products require a download file and key to be installed or activated.  These products will still be listed in your Microsoft 365 Admin Center, but they will not have a download link or key listed.  Instead, they will link you to a Microsoft deployment tool, serializer, or activation wizard to activate the product - see Office for Mac and Client Access License (CAL) for more info.

Licenses

There are three types of Microsoft for Nonprofits programs available through TechSoup:

  • Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) On-Premise Program
  • Open Value (OV) On-Premise Program
  • Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Cloud Subscriptions Program

Keys

There are two types of Microsoft keys available for products that require them for activation.

  • MAK key (Multiple Activation Key)
    • MAK keys are used for one-time activation
    • Available for CSP on-premises licenses (Products WITH Software Assurance) and OV licenses  (Products WITHOUT Software Assurance).
  • KMS key (Key Management Service)
    • KMS keys are used for volume activation.
    • Only available for OV licenses (Products WITHOUT Software Assurance),

Microsoft Support may tell you that KMS keys are available through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) On-Premise Program.  This is not accurate for nonprofit licenses aquired through TechSoup.  TechSoup Customer Service will not be able to assist you with accessing a KMS key if your product did not include Software Assurance.

 

Locate & Access Products in Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Learn how to find and access an on-premises Microsoft product in Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

The process will vary depending on if you requested an on-premises product that included or didn't include Software Assurance.

 

How to Download and Install, or Deploy and Activate On-Premises Licenses

CSP On-Premises Licenses (Products WITHOUT Software Assurance)

Learn how to download perpetual software and product license keys bought through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) on-premises program.

OV Licenses (Products WITH Software Assurance)

Learn how to download volume licensing products and how to find and use product keys for volume licensing

Instructions for Specific Products

The following products have additional support resources we recommend reviewing.

Office, Office for Mac, & Office Professional Plus

Learn how to download and install, or activate your Office, Office for Mac, or Office Professional Plus products.

NOTE: Microsoft's Volume License Serializer is used to activate Office LTSC for Mac 2024, Office LTSC for Mac 2021, or Office 2019 for Mac as a Volume Licensed version. Review the following Microsoft Learn articles to move forward with Office for Mac:

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Learn how to access and activate Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU).

Client Access License (CAL)

A Client Access License (CAL) is not a product, but a license that gives a user privileges to access the server. You don’t need a software download file or 5*5 product key to activate a CAL. The CAL is activated and installed through the activation wizard directly from your machine.

Review the following Microsoft Learn articles to move forward:

 

Activation Error 0x8004e026

Receiving Error 0x8004e026 when trying to activate your product?  There are a few things that could be causing this error; each will have slightly different steps to resolve the issue:
  • Activation Stack Corruption
  • Incompatible versions/editions
  • Volume License Misuse
  • Network Issues
  • Corrupt System Files
  • Key Does Not Match the Installed Edition

Try the following troubleshooting steps to determine what is the causing Error 0x8004e026:

  • Run Activation Troubleshooter: 
    1. Go to Settings 
    2. Select Update & Security 
    3. Select Activation and run the troubleshooter.
  • Check Internet & Date/Time: 
    • Ensure your connection is stable and system time is correct.
  • Update Windows: 
    • Install all pending updates.
  • Use Command Prompt (Admin):
    1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
    2. Run slmgr.vbs /dlv to view license status.
    3. Try re-entering your key with slmgr.vbs /ipk YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY (replace placeholder).
  • Check Event Viewer: 
    • Look in the Event Log for specific COM+ errors for more details.
 

Support

Microsoft and TechSoup both offer support options your organization may wish to utilize.

Contact Microsoft Support

For support downloading, installing, or activating your licenses, contact Microsoft Support.  

You will need to sign into Microsoft.  Review Microsoft's “sign-in helper” information if you are unable to sign in.

Microsoft Implementation Services for Nonprofit

Check out all of the available Microsoft Implementation Services for Nonprofits on TechSoup.

For assistance downloading and installing on-premises products:

Please note, if your organization does not receive the required support or resolves the issue on your own, TechSoup can typically provide a refund for the support service.

 

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