If you do not activate the product after you install it, the Office 2010 programs and the 2007 Office system programs can be started only in reduced-functionality mode. To fully use a retail version of an Office 2010 suite or program or an 2007 Office system suite or program, you must activate it. Microsoft Office 2010 and the Microsoft 2007 Office system include an Activation Wizard.
For further information on Volume License activation in Office, see Volume activation of Office 2013.
Activation is now required for Office 2010 Volume License suites and programs.