Sometimes, license activation for Microsoft Office or Windows is a big headache, especially when you are working on its evaluation version and you don't know how to extend the evaluation period using appropriate commands. The OSPPREARM.EXE tool does help work your way out of such licensing challenges, but in order for this to work, it is important to specify the correct SKU ID. In the following post, I will explain the whole process step by step so that you can easily rearm your products without experiencing any headaches while activating licenses.
Introduction
OSPPREARM.EXE is a command-line utility that extends the Microsoft Office and other product evaluation periods. It is most commonly used if you have licensing issues or if you need to reset some kind of an activation state for a product. One of the main things you'll want to do with this utility is to specify the proper SKU ID for either your Office or Windows version. This will ensure that the command applies correctly to the right product and enables you to resolve the activation issues effectively.
I have dealt with the challenges of the activation system developed by Microsoft, where accurate steps can make all the difference. In this tutorial, I'm going to describe how one could use OSPPREARM.EXE and correctly specify the Sku ID in such a way that allows for successful rearm of your product.
3 Steps to Specify the SKU ID When Using OSPPREARM.EXE
Preparation Steps
Preliminary steps will be needed before the running of OSPPREARM.EXE in order to extend the evaluation period of Microsoft.
Step 1: Make sure you have administrative rights because you are going to run some command entries that need modifications of system settings. You right-click on the icon for Command Prompt and then choose "Run as administrator." This gives you permissions to execute OSPPREARM.EXE successfully.
Step 2: Find the SKU ID of Your Microsoft Product - The SKU ID is a unique identifier for your particular Microsoft product; hence, it may be Microsoft Office or Windows. Without knowing the exact SKU ID, applying the rearm command will not work properly.
How to Find the SKU ID
There are different methods of finding out your SKU ID; two of the most effective involve using the command line and the Control Panel.
The most rapid way to find out your SKU ID is through the Windows command line. Follow these steps to get it done in an easier way:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator. Type the following command and press Enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv This will open detailed information concerning the license, and you should look for the field called "SKU ID"
Step 2: Check Product Keys and Licenses via Control Panel or Settings App The other way to find product information is through Control Panel or the Settings app. Here is how you do this:
For Windows:
Open the Control Panel
Head to System and Security, then click on System.
From here, your product information should be shown; it may include the SKU ID.
For Microsoft Office:
Open any Office application-mostly Word or Excel
Click File > Account.
Under the product information section, you can obtain your product version, which can lead you to the location of the SKU ID.
How to use OSPPREARM.EXE with the SKU ID
After getting your SKU ID, you are now ready to use it in the OSPPREARM.EXE command. The syntax of the OSPPREARM.EXE command is as illustrated below:
OSPPPREARM.EXE [options]
In this syntax, you can have the name of the SKU ID just after the command.
Example Commands: Suppose your SKU ID is 12345-67890-ABCDE-FGHIJ. Here's how you would enter the command:
OSPPREARM.EXE /rearm 12345-67890-ABCDE-FGHIJ
This command will begin the rearm process of the particular Microsoft product to which that SKU ID belongs. If everything goes well, you should get a message saying the rearm was successful in extending the evaluation period of the product.
This will provide the proper identification of the SKU ID when using OSPPREARM.EXE and enable you to troubleshoot any licensing issues. For further troubleshooting or more command options, take a look at Microsoft's official documentation or some useful video tutorials.
Additional Tips: Verification & Troubleshooting
Confirmation that the SKU ID was correctly applied. Once the SKU ID has been specified, and the OSPPREARM.EXE command has been executed, confirmation that the rearm was successful needs to be performed. This section discusses how you might confirm that your SKU ID was applied and troubleshoot frequent problems associated with its application.
How to Verify That the SKU ID Was Correctly Applied
Step 1. Look at the Output in the Command Prompt: When you run the command OSPPREARM.EXE, observe what is written in the Command Prompt. In case of a successful rearm, it shows something like this:the application of SKU ID was successful and that the product's evaluation period has been extended.
Step 2. Command Line Confirmation of Status: You can confirm the application of the SKU ID by verifying the status of the product with the command, slmgr.vbs /dlv, which will yield very detailed information regarding the license on the product, including the status and remaining days of evaluation, along with the SKU ID. The SKU ID here needs to be the same as specified above.
Step 3. Verify the Product Activation Status for Microsoft Office
To verify the activation status of your product for Microsoft Office, you can directly check it from within the application itself by performing the following steps:
Open any of the Office applications.
Click on File > Account.
There you will see the activation status and whether or not your product reflects the new SKU ID applied.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
1: Error Messages During Execution: When running OSPPREARM.EXE and upon receiving an error message, the first thing you should do is run the Command Prompt in administrator mode.
Run the Command Prompt in administrator mode. Check whether you are using the proper SKU ID that corresponds to your installed version of the Microsoft product.
2: System Date and Time Issues: Incorrect setting of the system date and time could also be another potential reason for activation errors. The date and time of your computer should be correct. Sometimes such unexpected issues on rearm can be fixed by doing this alone.
3: Internet Connection: In almost all cases, activation requires an active and stable internet connection, as it has to verify the SKU ID you are typing. Try checking your network connectivity in case of any issues.
4: Rearming Restrictions: Microsoft products have a limitation on the number of times one can rearm OSPPREARM.EXE. In case you have rearmed more than the maximum number of times, usually three, you may have to call Microsoft Support or reactivate the product with a valid license.
5: Consume Microsoft Support: If the problem still exists even after going through the above-discussed troubleshooting tips, then never feel shy to contact Microsoft Support. They will further help you with some specific advice.
By following the above-mentioned verification steps and being aware of common mistakes, you can manage the rearming process of your Microsoft products effectively and enjoy using your software without a glitch.
Best Free Alternative To Microsoft Office: WPS Office
WPS Office is one of your best options if you seek a powerful alternative to Microsoft Office. It is designed both for the casual user and for professionals, with WPS Office coming full-scale, with no complications arising as it usually does, concerning activation and licensing. Therefore, here is a closer look at some of the benefits of using WPS Office.
1. Free for Personal Use
WPS Office also has a fully functional version free to use for personal purposes. This will mean you get to use the core features of a complete office suite without incurring any additional costs. Be it drafting documents, creating spreadsheets, or designing presentations, WPS Office covers you at no cost.
2. All-inclusive Suite
WPS Office also comprises some necessary tools to perform similar functions as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
WPS Writer: This is the best tool for typing, editing, and formatting text documents.
WPS Spreadsheets: This tool will enable you to organize your data and then carry out very complex calculations.
WPS Presentation: It allows you to create colorful presentations with just a few clicks.
It is an integrated package that has all the tools which will make you productive, all wrapped in a very friendly interface.
3. No Activation Issues
Another striking advantage of WPS Office is the elimination of activation problems. Contrary to Microsoft Office, which creates errors like 0xc004d307 and 0xC004D302 during its activation, WPS Office works without these complications of complex activation processes. This predictability makes WPS Office an attractive choice for users seeking to avoid the annoying hassles of licensing software. 4. Multi-Platform Support
Currently, WPS Office is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems. The flexibility this affords enables working on documents anywhere, anytime, across devices. Whether on the desk or on the go, you will have access to your files and be able to work further without interruption.
5. WPS AI Features
WPS Office integrates AI-powered tools into its productivity and simplification of workflows. Features such as intelligent document formatting and content suggestions make the creation of professional documents swift and efficient, making WPS Office a forward-looking alternative.
How to Download & Use WPS Office Downloading and using WPS Office is pretty easy. Here's a quick guide to get you up and running.
Step 1: Download WPS Office. Go to the official WPS Office website.
Click the Download button to get the latest version compatible with your operating system.
Step 2: Install the Software.
When the download is complete, locate the installer file and double-click it.
Install WPS Office on your device following the on-screen installation instructions.
Step 3: Create an Account Optional
One may want to create a WPS account since this adds more functions and cloud storage, but this is not a requirement for simple use.
Step 4: Start Using WPS Office.
Launch the app, and you will feel the comfort of Microsoft Office.
Create, edit, and save your documents as you would normally do.
With WPS Office, you will have an office suite with all the features available but without the hassle that usually comes along when using Microsoft products. It is a strong competitor for advanced users and simple ones alike. It is the perfect solution for anyone who needs guaranteed, reliable office software.
FAQs
Q1 Can I use OSPPREARM.EXE multiple times?
Yes, you can rearm a product numerous times; however, there are limits. Commonly, Microsoft allows five rearms for a product. If you have exceeded this limit, then you will need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.
Q2 What should I do if I encounter errors while using OSPPREARM.EXE?
Also, make sure the date and time of your system are accurate. Now, go ahead and check your internet connectivity; besides, recheck the usage of the correct SKU ID. Should you continue to have trouble with this solution, take a deeper look at Microsoft Support.
Summary
In this walkthrough, I showed you how you can specify a new SKU ID while using OSPPREARM.EXE for a rearm of your installed Microsoft product. While the syntax involved in such commands is important, finding out the SKU ID and troubleshooting the sudden arising of errors make the process more cumbersome. In that respect, I highly recommend working with WPS Office: an exceptionally user-friendly, free alternative that offers no headaches whatsoever from activation. Be it Word, Excel, or even PowerPoint documents, WPS Office will let you work on them with complete ease on multiple platforms.
