Can't open files

Question

Can't open files

Terrence Knisely 0

I purchased Microsoft Home and Student 2021 in 2023 and now I get a message stating that I have to activate 365 to work on my files. Why can't I work on my files since I purchased the programs?

EmilyS726 250.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-21T22:43:07.6133333+00:00

Hello,

Please do not purchase Msft 365. That will not resolve the issue.

Can you tell me your macOS version please?
Terrence Knisely 0 Reputation points

2026-07-21T23:17:14.6166667+00:00

Sonoma 14.8

2 answers

Your answer

EmilyS726 250.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-21T22:43:07.6133333+00:00

Hello,

Please do not purchase Msft 365. That will not resolve the issue.

Can you tell me your macOS version please?
Terrence Knisely 0 Reputation points

2026-07-21T23:17:14.6166667+00:00

Sonoma 14.8

Answer 1

Terrence Knisely 0

Sorry for the delay, I was looking only at the learn window and not my email. So, everything was updated today, but I can not edit any documents because it says: to activate Microsoft 365 to create and edit. I am in the middle of writing a book with deadlines approaching. Where do I get the apps to download? And will my original Product Key still be valid to download Office? [Only Power Point required an upgrade; all other Office apps were updated]

EmilyS726 250.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-22T01:46:48.62+00:00

Did you get a chance to go through the instructions I gave you?

This process doesn't affect your files or license.

In my last reply. you may not need to do all of them, as some of the earlier steps could already address the issue.

In fact, focus on the instruction from this instruction doc first: https://support.microsoft.com/support/known-issues/unknown-error-0x0-license-not-found-error-microsoft365-macos

If that doesn't work, do this next: https://support.microsoft.com/office/office-for-mac/troubleshoot-microsoft-autoupdate-in-microsoft-365-and-office-for-mac

Let me know, because if it still doesn't work, I would prefer a complete uninstall (your files are still safe), but you may not need to go that far.
Terrence Knisely 0 Reputation points

2026-07-22T01:55:26.2333333+00:00

ok, on it
Terrence Knisely 0 Reputation points

2026-07-22T02:19:12.9233333+00:00

In Preferences folder there are additional folders: Audio, Directory Service, Logging, Open Directory, System Config. Should I go into each of those folders and trash those files within them? I couldn't move the whole "Preferences file to the trash or trash those individual folders.
EmilyS726 250.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-22T02:28:08.5433333+00:00

Terrence, I am not sure if you saw the very last comment I shared with you.

It sounds like you were doing the last option in my instruction.

I rather that you do these two first. This is what I sent you earlier.

In fact, focus on the instruction from this instruction doc first: https://support.microsoft.com/support/known-issues/unknown-error-0x0-license-not-found-error-microsoft365-macos

If that doesn't work, do this next: https://support.microsoft.com/office/office-for-mac/troubleshoot-microsoft-autoupdate-in-microsoft-365-and-office-for-mac

Only if these don't work then you want to do that complete uninstall. And no, you don't want to delete anything from the additional folders.

Answer 2

Version 14.8 should work fine.

Did you get the 0x0 error?

First, see if you can update your Office apps. Open Word for example, click on the 'Help' tab >Check for Updates. Make sure you choose Update All when prompted. Let the process run through, can take a bit time. See if that works.

Otherwise, use the Update method in this article: https://support.microsoft.com/support/known-issues/unknown-error-0x0-license-not-found-error-microsoft365-macos

If it still doesn't work, please uninstall the apps. Follow the instructions here for complete uninstall.

https://support.microsoft.com/office/office-for-mac/troubleshoot-office-for-mac-issues-by-completely-uninstalling-before-you-reinstall

Then reinstall this way:

If you signed up via Apple App Store, then download and install from the App Store.

If you signed up via Microsoft directly, please go to https://www.office.com

Sign into the Microsoft account you used for the subscription. Click on the 9-dot icon on the upper left > More apps.

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

If it still doesn't work, download the updater https://support.microsoft.com/office/office-for-mac/troubleshoot-microsoft-autoupdate-in-microsoft-365-and-office-for-mac