Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 showing activation error

Question

Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 showing activation error

Daniel xof 20

I recently installed Office Home and Business 2024 on my Windows 11 laptop, but I also have an old Microsoft 365 subscription on the same Microsoft account.

When I open Word or Excel, it keeps saying "Unlicensed Product" or asking me to activate Microsoft 365. I already signed out and sign back in, but the same error still showing.

John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:07:03.2533333+00:00
Hi, @Daniel xof

To help narrow down the issue:

Where did you purchase the license? Was it from the Microsoft website or a third-party seller?

What is the exact product name you bought?

Can you also check this: https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in. Do you see the specific product license listed there?
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:12:06.4166667+00:00

Hi, john I bought it directly from Microsoft and made sure I use my accout. checking your link now
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:14:14.3266667+00:00

Yes, Johh. I see Office there, and also intall it from there but the issue persisted

Answer accepted by question author

John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Independent Advisor

Hi, john I bought it directly from Microsoft and made sure I use my accout. checking your link now Yes, Johh. I see Office there, and also intall it from there but the issue persisted Do I need to remove Microsoft 365 first before Office 2024 will activate? I dont want to lose any of my Word or Excel files.

Thanks @Daniel xof for letting me know.

Yes, I recommend removing the existing Microsoft 365 installation first. Having multiple Office installations can cause activation conflicts.

Uninstalling Office will not delete your Word documents or Excel workbooks. It only removes the Office apps.

Here’s how:

Open the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Look for any version of Microsoft Office or Office apps, right-click, then choose Uninstall. Please uninstall all Office apps.
Once that’s done, restart your computer just to be safe.

Then, to reinstall Microsoft Office:

Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services again.
Sign in using the same Microsoft account linked to your license.
Find your Microsoft Office 2024 and click the "Install".
That will download the installer for the Office apps, just run it and follow the steps.

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks!

John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:37:25.2466667+00:00

Feel free to reach out if the issue persists. Thanks!
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:56:15.8333333+00:00

Hi @Daniel xof does the issue persist? I noticed that you marked my response. I'm sorry. Please let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions or concerns.
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:58:51.4666667+00:00

Hi John, thanks for the steps. but... I'm a bit worried to uninstall Microsoft 365 because I might lose my Word and Excel files. Are you sure uninstalling it will not delete my documents?

Also, should I uninstall only Microsoft 365 and leave Office 2024 installed?
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T19:07:36.49+00:00

Yes, I am sure. Uninstalling Microsoft 365 removes the Office applications only. It does not delete your saved Word documents, Excel workbooks, or files stored in OneDrive.

Please uninstall all Office to avoid conflict. After uninstalling all Office entries, restart the laptop. Then reinstall only Office Home & Business 2024 from https://account.microsoft.com/services

Once installed, open Word and sign in using the same Microsoft account that owns Office 2024.

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T19:21:21.3866667+00:00

It worked, John thank you for your help. It just took me some time to finish the whole process, but Office 2024 is now activated and working properly.
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T19:22:29.98+00:00

Glad to assist!

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks!

1 additional answer

Your answer

John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:07:03.2533333+00:00

Hi, @Daniel xof

To help narrow down the issue:

Where did you purchase the license? Was it from the Microsoft website or a third-party seller?

What is the exact product name you bought?

Can you also check this: https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in. Do you see the specific product license listed there?
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:12:06.4166667+00:00

Hi, john I bought it directly from Microsoft and made sure I use my accout. checking your link now
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:14:14.3266667+00:00

Yes, Johh. I see Office there, and also intall it from there but the issue persisted
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:37:25.2466667+00:00

Feel free to reach out if the issue persists. Thanks!
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T18:56:15.8333333+00:00

Hi @Daniel xof does the issue persist? I noticed that you marked my response. I'm sorry. Please let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions or concerns.
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T18:58:51.4666667+00:00

Hi John, thanks for the steps. but... I'm a bit worried to uninstall Microsoft 365 because I might lose my Word and Excel files. Are you sure uninstalling it will not delete my documents?

Also, should I uninstall only Microsoft 365 and leave Office 2024 installed?
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T19:07:36.49+00:00

Yes, I am sure. Uninstalling Microsoft 365 removes the Office applications only. It does not delete your saved Word documents, Excel workbooks, or files stored in OneDrive.

Please uninstall all Office to avoid conflict. After uninstalling all Office entries, restart the laptop. Then reinstall only Office Home & Business 2024 from https://account.microsoft.com/services

Once installed, open Word and sign in using the same Microsoft account that owns Office 2024.

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Daniel xof 20 Reputation points

2026-07-26T19:21:21.3866667+00:00

It worked, John thank you for your help. It just took me some time to finish the whole process, but Office 2024 is now activated and working properly.
John Jefferson Doyon 85,610 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-26T19:22:29.98+00:00

Glad to assist!

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Daniel xof 20

Do I need to remove Microsoft 365 first before Office 2024 will activate? I dont want to lose any of my Word or Excel files.

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