Why is necessary to have OSPP files?

Question

I'm using Windows 8 and Microsoft Office 365.

When I go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16 there are 4 files:

• OSPP.HTM
• OSPP.VBS
• OSPPREARM.EXE
• SLERROR.XML

Why is this necessary to be on my computer (many sources on the internet don't give an answer to what they're doing)

What will happen if I delete them?

Answer 1

Why are these files on my computer?

OSPP.HTM/OSPP.VBS

These files are use to Reset Office 365 ProPlus 2013 and/or 2016 activation state:

To remove the Office 365 license, you must run two cscript command lines. The command lines are:

1. Run C:\program files <x86>\Microsoft office\office15>cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus

2. Make note of value for “Last 5 characters of installed product key”

3. Run

   C:\program files <x86>\Microsoft office\office15>cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:"Last 5 of installed product key"

   For example:

   C:\program files <x86>\Microsoft office\office15>cscript ospp.vbs unpkey:WB222

OSPPREARM.EXE

This file is used to Extend Your Office 2013/365 Trial to 180 Days:

It is possible to ‘rearm’ the trial version of the software five times – essentially giving you six 30-day trial periods, or 180 days in total.

While there are various tools that can be downloaded that can do this job for you, there’s no need – everything you require is already available to you. The only thing you need to remember is to run through the rearming process before you trial periods run out; make sure you do it on the thirtieth day of the trial.

Navigate direct to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform or C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform and type OSPPREARM.EXE

SLERROR.XML

This is a file containing Activation Error Messages:

<err0xC004B001>The activation server determined that the license is invalid.</err0xC004B001>
<err0xC004B007>The activation server reported that the computer could not connect to the activation server.</err0xC004B007>
<err0xC004B008>The activation server determined that the product could not be activated.</err0xC004B008>
<err0xC004B010>The activation server determined that required business token entry cannot be found.</err0xC004B010>
<err0xC004B011>The activation server determined that your computer clock time is not correct. You must correct your clock before you can activate.</err0xC004B011>
<err0xC004B100>The activation server determined that the product could not be activated.</err0xC004B100>
<err0xC004C001>The activation server determined the specified product key is invalid.</err0xC004C001>
<err0xC004C002>The activation server determined there is a problem with the specified product key.</err0xC004C002>
<err0xC004C003>The activation server determined the specified product key has been blocked.</err0xC004C003>

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What will happen if I delete them?

Don't do that. You will break your Office installation.