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Most MS Office apps grayed out, won't open, won't "Repair"... nada

Anonymous
2024-11-15T21:14:32+00:00

This may not be in the right category or have the right tags, but I couldn't find a MS Office specific subset.

Windows did auto-update on 11.13.24, and MS Store shows MS Office apps that also updated 11.13.24... whether separate or part of it I don't know.

Was using Word, Excel, and Outlook 2 days ago before the update. Opened yest morning and locked up.

Windows Version: 19045.5131 (W10... don't need criticism about why I choose to run 10)

Exp pack 1000.19060.1000.0

Last updates 11.13.24: KB504-- 4029, 6613, 8239, & Service stack 10.0.19041.5071

MS Office 2021.... Believe the version is 16051.18129.20158.0.... that's what I get for all the apps that I do right click "App settings" on.

"Repair" when right clicking and going to app settings doesn't work. Says "We couldn't repair this app. Try again in a bit."

I had a similar problem in the past when 365 auto-added itself. I prefer full desktop versions. I deleted 365 then and again now. Didn't change anything. I've tried the PowerShell "repairs" which run, but then I end up with a screen of red text after it's all done that says 8-10 things that were errors... couldn't tell you what those were unless i do it again and copy it here.

Apps that are stuck...

Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Publisher

Access

Apps that seem related but aren't stuck-- Skype, Calendar, Mail, OneNote, Teams, MS Store....

See attached screen shots as an example.

Notice the Outlook Classic and New... that should give some clues. I tried to uninstall New, but it did nothing.

don't see how to "Update" apps in the MS Store... just shows I own it then when going to More Info it just pulls up the sell screen, no update button I can see.

I've rebooted, looked for restore points, tried to uninstall updates (just reinstalls them when the computer reboots to settle it), tried to "Repair," run troubleshooter (finds nothing)... run some PowerShell commands I've found on here... runs, but end up with an additional half dozen lines of red "Error" jibber jabber.

***Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Windows update, recovery, and backup***

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-11-17T09:36:14+00:00

    Dear JRHaole,

    Thanks for visiting Microsoft Community.  I am happy to help you.

    I understand that you are having issues with the Office icon turning gray.

    You can try the following methods:

    1. Reinstall Office.

    First, follow the steps in this link to manually uninstall Office.

    Manually uninstall Office - Microsoft Support

    Then log in to https://account.microsoft.com/ and follow the prompts in Services & Subscriptions to re-download Office 2021 to your computer.

    1. Create a new local account:

    Manage user accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

    Hopefully I can give you some information you can refer to.

    Best regards

    Miyeon.S - MSFT |Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-16T12:13:10+00:00

    Hi, this appears to be a problem with Microsoft Office Profession Plus 2021, which does not have a valid Microsoft licence. Can you see your Office at: https://account.microsoft.com/services it should be there, if it is you can uninstall your Office and reinstall from there.

    I suggest that you use the Microsoft uninstall tool to completely remove Office and then reinstall from Services & Subscriptions. Uninstall Office from a PC - Microsoft Support (Scroll down and use Option 2)

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