If your trial has expired or is close to expiring, you can reset the clock up to 5 times (totaling 180 days).
cscript ospp.vbs /rearm
You will see: "Microsoft Office rearm successful". Restart Outlook or Word, and the trial counter resets to 30 days.
Limitation: You can only use /rearm 5 times. After that, you truly need a license.
Even if Office came with a trial key, overwrite it with the public GVLK. Run:
cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:YC7DK-G2NP3-2QQC3-J6H88-GVGXT
You should see: "Product key installed successfully".
cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus
You will see the remaining grace days (usually 30).
If you need Office 2013 but don't have a product key, consider these legitimate options:
True activation requires a verified license binding to your hardware ID. The CMD method using only Microsoft's own commands cannot generate valid activation tickets without contacting a genuine Microsoft activation server or an authorized KMS host. The /rearm command simply reinitializes the licensing timer—it does not bypass the need for a valid license.
If the cost of a license is a barrier, consider switching to free, legal alternatives that are compatible with Microsoft Office files:
Activating Microsoft Office 2013 without a personal product key via the Command Prompt (CMD) is typically done using the Key Management Service (KMS) method. This process uses specific commands to point your software toward a KMS server for validation. Steps to Activate Office 2013 via CMD
Open Command Prompt as AdministratorPress the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Navigate to the Office Installation DirectoryDepending on your system's architecture, use one of the following commands:
For 64-bit Windows:cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office15
For 32-bit Windows:cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office15
Install the KMS Client KeyRun this command to install the generic volume license key (GVLK) for Office 2013:cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:YC7DK-G2NP3-2QQC3-J6H88-GVGXT how to activate ms office 2013 without product key using cmd
Set the KMS Server HostYou must point to a KMS server. Use a known server (example provided for educational purposes):cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.msguides.com
Trigger the ActivationFinally, run the activation command:cscript ospp.vbs /act Important Considerations
Legality: Using unauthorized KMS servers to bypass purchasing a license is considered piracy. Legitimate KMS activation is intended for organizations (schools/businesses) that have purchased volume licenses.
Security: Using third-party KMS scripts or servers can expose your system to security risks.
Support: Microsoft officially ended support for Office 2013 on April 11, 2023, meaning it no longer receives security updates.
For a step-by-step visual walkthrough of the manual activation process using the Command Prompt:
How to Activate MS Office 2013 Without a Product Key Using CMD
If you have reinstalled Microsoft Office 2013 or lost your original product key, you might find yourself locked out of essential tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While purchasing a genuine license is always the recommended path, many users look for alternative methods to bypass activation prompts.
One of the most effective "no-software" methods is using the Command Prompt (CMD) to connect to a KMS (Key Management Service) host. This guide explains how the process works and how to perform it safely. Understanding KMS Activation
Before proceeding, it is important to understand what is happening behind the scenes. KMS is a legitimate technology used by organizations to activate large numbers of computers on a local network. By using specific CMD scripts, you are essentially telling your computer to verify its license against a public KMS server rather than Microsoft’s official activation servers. Prerequisites
Administrative Access: You must run the Command Prompt as an Administrator.
Internet Connection: Your PC needs to be online to communicate with the KMS host.
Correct Version: This method works best for Volume License (VL) versions of Office 2013. Step-by-Step Guide: Activating Office 2013 via CMD Follow these steps carefully to activate your software: 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Search for "cmd" in your Windows Start menu. Right-click the result and select "Run as Administrator." This is crucial; the commands will fail without elevated permissions. 2. Navigate to the Office Installation Folder If your trial has expired or is close
You need to point CMD to the directory where Office 2013 is installed. The path depends on whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
For 64-bit Windows:cd %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office15
For 32-bit Windows:cd %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office15 Paste the appropriate line into CMD and press Enter. 3. Convert Your Office License to Volume (If Necessary)
If you are using a Retail version, you may need to install the KMS client key. Run the following command to apply the generic KMS license for Office 2013:cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:YC7DK-G2NP3-2QQC3-J6H88-GVGXY 4. Set the KMS Host Server
Now, you need to tell Office which server to use for activation. Use a public KMS host (there are many available, such as ://msguides.com):cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:://msguides.com 5. Trigger the Activation
Finally, run the command to apply the changes and activate the software:cscript ospp.vbs /act
Wait a few seconds. If the process is successful, you will see a message saying "". Troubleshooting Common Issues
Error 0xC004F074: This usually means your internet connection is unstable or the KMS server is down. Try replacing ://msguides.com with another host like kms.digiboy.ir.
Access Denied: Ensure you launched CMD by right-clicking and choosing Run as Administrator.
Path Not Found: If the cd command fails, manually check your C: drive to see if Office is in Program Files or Program Files (x86). Is This Method Safe?
Using CMD is generally safer than downloading "activator" .exe files (like KMSPico or Toolkits), which frequently contain malware or miners. Since you are typing the commands yourself, you can see exactly what is happening to your system.
However, be aware that this method is intended for educational purposes or for those who have already purchased a license and are having technical difficulties. For long-term stability and security updates, owning a genuine Microsoft product key is the only way to ensure your software remains fully supported.
While there are technical methods to activate Microsoft Office 2013 using the Command Prompt (CMD), it is important to understand that doing so without a legitimate license or product key may violate Microsoft's Terms of Service
. For organizations with volume licenses, CMD is a standard tool for KMS (Key Management Service) activation Prerequisites Administrator Privileges : You must run the Command Prompt as an Administrator. Internet Connection You will see: "Microsoft Office rearm successful"
: A stable connection is required to communicate with activation servers. Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator Windows Key Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator Step 2: Navigate to the Office 2013 Directory
You must point CMD to the folder containing the activation script (
). The path depends on whether you installed the 32-bit or 64-bit version.
Activating Microsoft Office 2013 using the Command Prompt (CMD) is a technical but effective way to resolve licensing issues or activate a Volume License version without manually entering a key every time.
This method typically uses the OSPP.VBS (Office Software Protection Platform) script, a built-in Microsoft tool for managing licenses. Prerequisites Before You Start
Administrator Access: You must run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Office Installation Path: You need to know where Office is installed.
64-bit Windows & 64-bit Office: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15.
64-bit Windows & 32-bit Office: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15. 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15. Step-by-Step Activation via CMD 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. 2. Navigate to the Office Directory
Use the cd command to enter the folder where Office 15 (the version name for Office 2013) is located. Microsoft Community Hub
I understand you're looking for help with Microsoft Office 2013 activation. However, I should clarify a few important points before providing guidance.
Office 2013 activation is tied to a cryptographic product key. The Command Prompt has no built-in function to bypass this. Claims of “activation via CMD” typically involve: