I am not able to open word file, error coming that could not able to verify Microsoft office license

Question

I am not able to open word file, error comiword file open error .pngng that could not be able to verify Microsoft office license

Answer 1

Hello

Restart the computer. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, locate Microsoft 365, click on the three dots > modify, perform an online repair.

If the repair doesn't address the issue, uninstall it

Then restart, and reinstall.

Please go to https://www.office.com

Sign into the Microsoft account you used for the subscription. Click on Apps on the left.

Then on the upper right, click on "Install apps". This will now download the installer file. Once downloaded, click on the file to install. It will install the Desktop version of the apps for you then.

https://support.microsoft.com/office/download-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2024-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658

Answer 2

The error indicates Word cannot verify the Office license. This is commonly caused by a missing or damaged Software Protection Platform registry entry or by running Office in Windows compatibility mode.

Follow these steps on the affected Windows device:

1. Check the SoftwareProtectionPlatform registry entry
   1. Select Start, type regedit, and open Registry Editor.
   2. Browse to: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
   3. Look for a subkey named SoftwareProtectionPlatform.
      • If SoftwareProtectionPlatform exists, skip to step 2 (compatibility mode).
      • If it does not exist, continue with the next steps.
   4. On another Windows device where Office is installed and working, open Registry Editor and go to: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
   5. Right‑click SoftwareProtectionPlatform and select Export. Save the file as a .reg file to removable storage or a location accessible from the original device.
   6. Copy this .reg file to the original device, right‑click it, and select Merge to import the key.
   7. On the original device, in Registry Editor, go to: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
   8. Right‑click SoftwareProtectionPlatform and select Permissions.
   9. Under Group or user names, ensure NETWORK SERVICE exists:
      • If not present, select Add, type network service, and select OK.
   10. Select NETWORK SERVICE, check Allow for Full control, then select Apply and OK.
   11. Restart the device and try opening Word again.
2. Turn off compatibility mode for Word (or the Office app showing the error)
   1. Close Word and all Office apps.
   2. In File Explorer, locate the Office program file for the app that shows the error. By default, it is in one of these folders depending on installation type and bitness:
      • MSI-based:
        • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office1x
        • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office1x
      • Click-to-Run:
        • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office1x
        • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office1x (Here 1x is the Office version, e.g. 16 for Office 2016.)
   3. Right‑click the Word executable (for example, WINWORD.EXE) and select Properties.
   4. If the Compatibility tab is available:
      • Clear Run this program in compatibility mode for.
      • Select Change settings for all users.
      • On the Compatibility for all users tab, clear Run this program in compatibility mode for again.
      • Select OK twice.
   5. If there is no Compatibility tab:
      • Select Cancel to close Properties.
      • Right‑click the executable again and select Troubleshoot compatibility.
      • Select Troubleshoot Program.
      • Clear all options and select Next.
      • Select No, I am done investigating the problem, then Next, then Close.
   6. Restart the device and try opening Word.

If the error persists after these steps, repeat the registry check to confirm the SoftwareProtectionPlatform key and NETWORK SERVICE permissions are correctly configured, then test another Office app (Excel, PowerPoint) to see if the issue is system-wide.

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References:

• "Microsoft Office cannot verify the license for this product" error when you start an Office app

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