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Checking a Microsoft Office licence: how to recognise a genuine licence

Verifying the authenticity of a Microsoft licence means not guessing, but proceeding systematically. Here are the concrete steps you can use to verify a licence before and after purchase, according to Microsoft's own criteria.

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Concrete steps to verify the authenticity of a Microsoft Office licence, before and after activation. What Microsoft itself recommends.

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Four concrete verification steps

  • Vendor check before purchase. A genuine company with a public commercial-register entry and a valid VAT ID, a real phone number, a VAT invoice as a PDF, independent reviews on Trusted Shops. Anyone who meets these criteria is usually reputable. Check the retailer below yourself.
  • Format check of the licence key. A genuine Microsoft key has 25 characters in 5 groups of 5 each, separated by hyphens: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Other formats are suspicious.
  • Activation test against Microsoft. The real proof is activation on a supported system. If Microsoft's servers accept the licence, Windows reports under Settings → System → Activation "Windows is activated with a digital licence", and Office under File → Account "Product Activated". Microsoft writes "activated" or "licensed", not "genuine". Check activation with Microsoft.
  • Check the licence status (Windows). Via the command line (as administrator): "slmgr /xpr" shows the activation status, "slmgr /dlv" the details including "License Status: Licensed". For Office: "File" → "Account" → licence status.

Key Format Checker

Paste a licence key. The check recognises format and product and warns about public KMS keys. Whether a licence is truly lawful is shown only by activation at Microsoft, not by this check.

Key not working or an activation error? To the activation help with step-by-step solutions and direct technician contact.

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We do not host our own reviews. Independently verifiable on Trusted Shops – verbal rating currently Excellent.

Selbst prüfen

Den Händler können Sie selbst prüfen, in zwei Minuten

Wer hinter einem Shop steht, ist öffentlich nachprüfbar: ein seriöser Händler hat eine echte Firma mit Registereintrag und gültiger USt-IdNr., beides einsehbar. Die Herkunft eines einzelnen Keys lässt sich von aussen zwar nicht belegen, wohl aber, ob hinter dem Shop eine fassbare Firma steht. Bei uns geht das sogar live, gleich hier.

Firma
Kewee OÜ
Tallinn, Estland
Registercode
17352418
EU USt-IdNr.
Im estnischen Firmenregister

Häufige Fragen

Can I check a licence key without activating it?

Not reliably. Microsoft does not offer a public lookup database. The only real test is activation against Microsoft's server. So: buy from a reputable provider that guarantees a free replacement in the event of an error.

What does a genuine Microsoft licence key look like?

25 alphanumeric characters, in 5 groups of 5, separated by hyphens: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. The format is identical for Office 2024 / 2021 / 2019 / 2016.

What if activation fails with "Key already in use"?

A common, standard situation, usually resolved via Microsoft's fully automated telephone activation system. Our support guides you through the process free of charge, or provides a replacement key. More on this on our activation-help page.
About Keywi24

Keywi24 is a Swiss online shop for verified pre-owned Microsoft and antivirus software licences. The team has in-depth market knowledge from over five years of experience. Our goal is not to become the largest licence shop, but the most trusted.

That’s why we don’t invest in marketing hype, but in 90 days of real technical support after every purchase. Legal basis: CJEU ruling C-128/11 (03.07.2012) and Art. 12 para. 2 URG.

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Checking a Microsoft Office licence: how to recognise a genuine licence | Keywi24