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Activation-less Microsoft Office
Overview
These activation-less Office workloads let you run basic Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook tests on desktops without an activated license. You’ll gain read-only interactions, smooth scrolling, full-document PDF printing, and time measurements for both application startup and each PDF print operation.
By simulating these limited yet realistic interactions, you can:
Validate environments in license-restricted or audit-only workspaces
Maintain consistent coverage without requiring Office activation
Generate user-like load through document viewing, navigation, and PDF printing
Right-size and configure Office installs and base images under realistic usage
Catch regressions early by integrating these workloads into continuous performance monitoring
The download files for the workload are attached at the bottom of this page.
Requirements
Microsoft Office is installed on the desktops-under-test (VM, cloud, SBC, hybrid, laptop, or desktop)
The Microsoft Print to PDF printer needs to be set as the default printer
Demonstration Video
Watch our Activation-less Office Workloads in action - from launch through smooth scrolling and full-document PDF printing in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook running on unlicensed desktops. See how easy it is to validate environments and generate a real user-like load without activating Office.
https://youtu.be/MiutcFCiPaI?feature=shared
Workload Details
Set Default Printer
Ensure Microsoft Print to PDF is your default printer by adding the Set Default Printer workload to your Office Activation‑less Application Group.
Place it first in the group.
Configure it to Run Once and Leave Application Running.
Outlook
Outlook Start
Imports a predefined PRF and mailbox configuration.
Launches Outlook, dismisses the activation dialog, and records a startup time measurement.
Outlook Run
Scrolls in the inbox, opens a predefined email, scrolls within it, and prints the message to PDF, timing the print operation.
Excel
Excel Start
Opens Excel with a predefined workbook, dismisses the activation dialog, and records a startup time measurement.
Excel Run
Scrolls through the sheet, then prints the file to PDF, timing the print.
Word
Word Start
Opens Word with a predefined document, dismisses the activation dialog, and records a startup time measurement.
Word Run
Scrolls through the document, then prints the file to PDF, timing the print.
PowerPoint
PowerPoint Start
Opens PowerPoint with a predefined slide deck, dismisses the activation dialog, and records a startup time measurement.
PowerPoint Run
Views the slide deck, then prints the file PDF, timing the print.
Loop Behavior: After the last configured Run, the sequence will repeat from the first Run if:
The Test is configured to loop or is a Load Test, and
There’s enough time remaining to complete a full new loop.
Optional Close Workloads
Outlook Close, Excel Close, Word Close, PowerPoint Close
Features: Gracefully shut down each application.
Use Case: Include them at the end of your Application Group if you want apps closed between test loops for a fresh start.
Deployment and Configuration
Upload Workloads to Appliance
Consult Uploading Scripts.
Create Application Group
In Login Enterprise, create an Application Group (e.g., Office Activation-less). For details, refer to Application Groups.
Add workloads in the desired sequence, such as:
a. Note that the Run Once and Leave Application Running for the Start workloads should be enabled if the Close workloads aren’t used; this is so the apps can concurrently run without closing in between test loops
b. You can reorder steps, interleave other workloads (e.g., Edge), or insert Close scripts anywhere in the Application Group to suit your testing needs. Close scripts will only close an application if that application is running at the time. Such as:
Add to Load Test. See Adding Applications to a Load Test.
Note: this workload group can also be used in Application and Continuous testing scenarios
Configure and Run
Launch your Test to capture: EUX and VSImax scoring, Session metrics, Application performance and thresholds notifications, user logon and latency measurements.
Ensure all relevant measurements are enabled for comprehensive results.
PowerPoint Close_Office_Activation-less.cs
PowerPoint Run_Office_Activation-less.cs
PowerPoint Start_Office_Activation-less.cs
Word Close_Office_Activation-less.cs
Word Run_Office_Activation-less.cs
Word Start_Office_Activation-less.cs
Excel Close_Office_Activation-less.cs
Excel Run_Office_Activation-less.cs
Excel Start_Office_Activation-less.cs
Outlook Close_Office_Activation-less.cs
Outlook Run_Office_Activation-less.cs