I just bought a new laptop with what I thought was everything installed on it . It came with Windows 8 already installed and there is a feature for Microsoft Office on it . When I went to it it said I had to type in a product key to be able to use it . I never got any kind of key with the packaging etc . Am I being stupid for not realising that I have to pay extra for more software or should I have had this keycode in the box ? I don't know much about computers and this is my first time buying one . I live in Saudi Arabia , don't know if that makes a difference to anything .

Thnx .

Yes, you have to pay to activate the pre-installed MS Office, not sure exactly how it works to get said key mind.

Open Office is a free work-alike which should do everything you want unless you need to send documents to MS Office users, the files are compatible but I've always had formatting issues when receiving docs from Open Office users.

Get it here http://www.openoffice.org/

You can also search for free software here.

www.download.com

OpenOffice sort-of succeeded by libreoffice.com, at least that is where OO engineers jumped ship to http://www.libreoffice.org/download/

vlc media player for music/video etc. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

MSE is Microsoft's in house anti virus http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download

calibre for reading books http://calibre-ebook.com/download

adobe reader for pdfs http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/

and generally, search sourceforge.net for whatever else you want

Not sure what 'free trials' your machine came with, but I would banish Norton A/V, MS Office, and WinMediaPlayer to the ether. AA

Hi

i have also just bought a new laptop with Windows 8 installed, you can only trial the microsoft office, then you must purchase it - costs uk £98.

you get the product key only in an email once purchased,

Try osalt.com which has a variety of excellent free open source alternatives to commercial software.

If you got a legal licensed Windows 8 you should have got the package.

There should be a code on the package you need to enter to activate those parts and programs that go with the windows 8 package.

If it was installed with the computer there shhould be a activarion code or instructions on how to access it somewhere.

If it's a copy windows 8 installation ... well that may be diffferent.

If you got a legal licensed Windows 8 you should have got the package.and youu have to buy a special key for this too if

There should be a code on the package you need to enter to activate those parts and programs that go with the windows 8 package.

If it was installed with the computer there shhould be a activarion code or instructions on how to access it somewhere.

If it's a copy windows 8 installation ... well that may be diffferent.

not correct.

You recieve a trial version of office which needs to be activated with a key after a short period. You have to buy this. If you do not the Office reverts to a read only version which allows you to read Office files but not edit or write them. Media Centre is also not included and you need to buy a special key for this too. Windows defender the fe]ree antivirus and anti sypware program is included.

If you got a legal licensed Windows 8 you should have got the package.

There should be a code on the package you need to enter to activate those parts and programs that go with the windows 8 package.

If it was installed with the computer there shhould be a activarion code or instructions on how to access it somewhere.

If it's a copy windows 8 installation ... well that may be diffferent.

Microsoft Windows is in no way related to Microsoft Office. I'm amazed at how many people don't know the difference or understand the distinction between Windows & Office; I see it over & over again. If you have Windows installed, that means you can boot the computer, see the Windows desktop, and do basic stuff like surf the internet & view files on the your computer.

It does NOT mean that you have have any office software like Word, PowerPoint or Excel. Those are entirely separate programs and must be purchased separately. The trial versions you have will probably not let you print, and even the Save feature might be limited.