Microsoft Office Starter prompting for Product key

Issue : Customer might be prompted to Activate/ Purchase office when he attempts to opens Excel / Word file that is stored on his Pc where Office Starter was installed  

Cause : This issue is caused due to update in KB2589275.  This KB update is no more active and was rolled back on 14th Sep hence new customers performing updates should not face this issue

Solution:  For existing customers who have this issue, Please try the following solution steps  and revert in case you run into issues 

1.       Remove the KB 2589275

o    Windows 7 and Windows Vista

a.     Click View installed updates.

b.     In the list of updates, locate and click update 2589275, and then click Uninstall.

o    Windows XP

a.     Click to select the Show updates check box.

b.     In the list of updates, locate and click update 2589275, and then click Remove

2.       Change the File Type Association:  

1.     Right-click the Microsoft Office file that you want to open. For Windows XP you may have to press on SHIFT and right-click the file.

2.     Select Open with, and then click Choose default program... (for Windows 7 or Windows Vista) or Choose Program (for Windows XP).

3.     In the Recommended Programs list, select Microsoft Office Client Virtualization Handler.

4.     Click to select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box, and then click OK.

3. Repair Office

4. Perform system restore.