Can't type in Word documents

The message appears because Word is still tied to the old work account and cannot verify an active subscription. To regain editing in Word, the old account must be fully removed from Windows and Office, then Word must be reinstalled and activated with a personal Microsoft 365 subscription or another valid account.

Follow these steps on the Windows PC:

1. Uninstall the current Office apps
   • Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft 365/Office and uninstall it.
2. Disconnect the old work account from Windows
   • Go to Settings → Accounts → Access work or school (briefcase icon).
   • If the old work account (the law.ac.uk address) is listed, select it and choose Disconnect.
3. Remove cached work credentials
   • Open Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials.
   • Find any entries referencing the old work account or organization and remove them.
4. Clear Office sign-in and identity caches
   • Press Windows + R, then open and clear the contents of each of these folders (delete everything inside each folder):
     • %LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe
     • %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy
     • %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\OneAuth
     • %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\TokenBroker
     • %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\IdentityCache
   • If a subfolder cannot be deleted, open it and delete its contents instead.
   • Restart the computer.
5. Confirm a valid personal subscription
   • In a browser, go to the Subscriptions page at account.microsoft.com/services and sign in with the personal Microsoft account that should own the subscription.
   • Verify that a Microsoft 365 or Office product is listed and active.
6. Reinstall Office and sign in with the correct account
   • In a browser, go to office.com and sign in with the same personal account that has the active subscription.
   • Select Apps, then choose Install apps to download the installer.
   • Run the installer to install Word and the other Office apps.
   • When prompted in Word, sign in with the personal Microsoft account (not the old work email).

If the subscription is expired or no product appears under the personal account, a new subscription or a different valid account is required; otherwise Word will remain in unlicensed/read-only mode.

References:

• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• Sign in
• Sign in to Microsoft 365
• Troubleshoot installing Office
• Can't sign in to microsoft 365 desktop apps - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot sign in to Office apps - error 0x800704cf - Windows authentication broken - Microsoft Q&A