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When using Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC, the shared license must be activated in advance.
This article explains the conditions for using Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC and the procedure for activating the shared license.
Conditions for using Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC
First, let’s take a closer look at the two conditions required to use Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC.
Purchase the target license for the number of users who use the shared PC
In order to use Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC, the same number of license agreements as the number of users of the shared PC are required.
In addition, licenses that support the use of shared PCs are limited, and Microsoft 365 Apps can be used on shared PCs only when the following target licenses are contracted.
- A plan that includes Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (Office 365 E3 or Microsoft 365 E5)
- Microsoft 365 Apps for business configured for Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft 365 also sells a single plan for Microsoft 365 Apps for business, but please note that you cannot use a shared PC here.
Enable shared computer activation settings
To use Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC, you also need to enable “Shared Computer Activation Settings”.
When using a shared PC, license authentication is required, and if authentication settings are not performed, it will be treated as a license violation, so be careful not to forget it.
The detailed procedure for license authentication is described in the next chapter.
How to activate Microsoft 365 Apps activation
Next, let’s take a closer look at how to activate the “Shared Computer Activation Settings” required when using Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC.
When activating a shared PC when installing Microsoft 365 Apps for the first time, a custom installation will be performed using the Office deployment tool.
If Microsoft 365 Apps is already installed, enable it using Group Policy, Registry Editor, or Recovery Assistant.
When using the Office Deployment Tool
- Download Office Deployment Tool (Download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49117 )
- Run downloaded file as administrator
- Agree to the license and click “Continue”
- Specify the destination and click “OK”
- Click “OK” when the deployment completion pop-up is displayed
- Describe “<Property Name=”SharedComputerLicensing” Value=”1″ />” in “configuration-Office<xxxxxx>.xml” to be installed
- Once the xml file is complete, start the installation with the command “setup.exe /configure configuration-<xxxxxx>.xml”
When to use Group Policy
- Download Administrative Template files for Office (Download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49030 )
- Run downloaded file as administrator
- Agree to the license and click “Continue”
- Specify the destination and click “OK”
- Click “OK” when the deployment completion pop-up is displayed
- Place the admx file under “Policy Definitions” in the central store
- Enable “Use Shared Computer Activation” in “Manage Group Policy” of AD server
When to use Registry Editor
- Start Registry Editor
- Run the following registry settings
| Key | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\Configuration |
|---|---|
| name | SharedComputerLicensing |
| kinds | Reg_SZ |
| data | 1 |
When to use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
- Download Microsoft Support/Recovery Assistant (Download page: https://aka.ms/SaRA_OfficeSCA_Docs )
- Run downloaded file as administrator
- Click “Install”
- Click “I agree”
- Enter the account you use for Office and click “Start”
- Click “Yes”
- Click “Restart”
- When “We found a problem that could not activate the license” is displayed, select “Yes” and click “Next”
- When you see “Shared computer problem fixed”, click “Next”
To purchase the license required to use a shared PC, contact NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation.
If you do not have enough Microsoft 365 licenses for use on a shared PC, we recommend obtaining a new license through an agency.
NEC Networks & System Integration provides Microsoft 365 and other solutions and services such as the following.
| Canario (Telephone brokerage by AI) | AI automatically forwards incoming calls to the office to a designated phone number, chat, or email. You can eliminate going to work just to pick up the phone. |
|---|---|
| DocuSign (electronic contract service) | It is a service that reduces costs, resources, time loss, etc. until the conclusion of a contract, and realizes a reduction in back-office work. It is useful for realizing telework. |
| eeasy (schedule adjustment tool for business) | It is a tool that automatically determines free schedules and automates schedule management by linking with Outlook Calendar and Google Calendar. You can collectively manage internal and external schedules. |
| Neat (device dedicated to remote conferencing) | A monitor, speaker, and microphone are integrated, enabling high-quality web conferencing in spaces such as conference rooms. |
| Slido (Activation of seminars and events) | A platform with voting and survey functions. By linking with Teams, you will be able to conduct QA and voting on web conferences. |
With NEC Networks & System Integration, you can purchase a license at the same price as Microsoft’s official website, and at the same time, you can receive courteous support in Japanese and support for the introduction of the above-mentioned related services.
We can also provide advice on cooperation with Microsoft 365 and how to effectively use it, so if you are a company that is worried about operating Microsoft 365, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Article Summary
- In order to use Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared PC, it is necessary to purchase the target license for the number of users
- After preparing the target license, you can use it on a shared PC by activating “Shared Computer License Authentication Settings”.
- Since there are multiple procedures for enabling “Shared Computer Activation Settings”, it is necessary to select the appropriate method according to the installation status, etc.
If you want to use Microsoft 365 Apps from a shared PC, you need to enable “Shared Computer Activation Settings”, so don’t forget to set it.
Please feel free to contact NEC Networks & System Integration if you are considering a shareable license contract or if you do not know how to use or set up a shared PC.