Fix Office 2010 Activation Problem With Expired CD Key

Problem :

I have installed Office 2010 on a system and enter a product key that I retrieve from my technet subscription. Upon trying to activate Office 2010 I receive a message that tells me that I have reached the limit of activations for that particular key. So I retrieve another key from my technet subscription. How do I enter the new product key? I tried searching the KB database and forums but am having no luck. I know this is not an unusual problem. Do I need to uninstall and reinstall using the new product key?


Solution :

First, for the error “You have reached the limit of computers on which you can activate the product”, the issue may occur as the Opa14.dat file is corrupted. We can try to rename or delete it.



1. For Windows XP, go to: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Data

For Windows Vista/Windows 7, go to: C:\Users\All Users\Microsoft\Office\Data

2. Right-click the Opa14.dat file, and then click Delete.

Important Do not delete the opa14.bak file.

3. Close the folder.

4. Start an Office 2010 program to start the Office Activation Wizard.



Second, if you want to enter a new product key, you can go to Control panel > Add/Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista/Windows7), locate the Office program and click Change. Then select Enter a product key.