MS Office Professional Plus Activation warning

[DCJ]

After having bought my computer used from a repair shop a little more than a year and a half ago with all the software already installed, I suddenly am having issues with Microsoft professional plus 2010, saying that it's unregistered and asking for the activation code. I bought it used, of course I don't have it. I finally got to talk to a live person from probably India today, and he told me since it was pre-installed when I got it I'd have to contact Dell (I doubt that Dell installed the software, probably the previous owner did). After reading around on this forum, I'm finding this seems to be happening a lot!
Is it possible for a hacker to swipe an existing code, then render it unusable?

And also, I refuse to upgrade my OS to windows 10, not just because my son hates it, but because MS is pushing so hard I can't trust it. Do I need to just let go and go with Apple come spring? I'm not buying a new copy of office just to keep it running on a computer that I expect to break down soon.

[macropod]

If you have a legitimate copy of Office, you will have a Product Key. That is what you use for activation. Pre-installed copies of Office are usually trial versions that expire if you don't supply the Product Key (which you have to purchase) to activate it. AFAIK, though, there never was a trial version of Office 2010.

Have you tried repairing the Office installation (via Start > Windows Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features > Microsoft Office (version) > Change > Repair)?

[DCJ]

I have had a legitimate full-version copy of MS Office for the year and a half that I've had this computer.

I BOUGHT IT USED! with the software already on it, was able to visit Microsoft for clip art, help, etc, with no problems. I started getting this pop-up about 11 days ago, but because I'm not the one who installed it, I don't physically have the activation key.

I'm worried that if I try the repair version, it'll get stuck on wanting the activation key.

[macropod]

If you bought a legitimate copy, you should have received Product Key with it. The mere fact the software was installed on the PC, especially a 2nd-hand one, doesn't mean you bought a legitimate copy - you may have paid for one, but that's another matter entirely... If you weren't given the Product Key, contact the vendor.

[DCJ]

Thank you for the suggestion, Paul. I may or may not look up the shop that I bought the computer from. In the meantime, I've found a free word processing suite online, which suites my limited needs.

I will remain curious why MS waited so long to demand an activation key, but I guess that's an answer I don't need to know.

Signing off,

D.J.

[macropod]

The prompt may have been caused by damage to the Office installation - which a repair might resolve - or the installation of a Windows update that checks whether your copy uses a genuine product key.