Eliminating Business Word Account

Question

I have a personal Microsoft Word Account and a Business Word Account on my computer. The Business Account was through my former employer who has removed me from the Microsoft Business Account. When I try to perform an action on my personal account, I am referred to my business account which is now deleted. What can be done to allow me to use my personal account?

Answer 1

Good day William,

Thank you for sharing your concern.  

Just to gently clarify before we go any further, this is a user‑to‑user support forum. I don’t have the ability to access or investigate individual accounts because this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, do not have access to internal systems or the ability to directly take action on Microsoft product features. However, I truly hope I can help review your situation, offer some guidance, and support you in finding the right next steps as best as possible.   

In most cases, this occurs because the old work or school account is still stored in Office, Windows, or the local credential cache. Please follow the steps below to remove the previous account completely and ensure Office apps use only your personal account: 

Step 1: Sign out of the work account in office desktop apps 

Open Word > Select File > Account. 

Select your account profile > Locate the work account > More options > Sign out.  

I also recommend opening other Office desktop apps and signing out of your work account from all of them. 

Step 2: Remove the work account from Windows 

If the previous organization account is still connected to Windows, Office applications may continue attempting to use it automatically. 

Open Windows Settings > Select Accounts > Select Access work or school. 

Choose the work account > Select Disconnect. 

Restart the computer. 

Step 3: Clear the saved work credentials 

If the issue persists, Windows may still have cached sign in information associated with the work account. 

Please close all Office apps.  

Select Start > Type Credential Manager > Open Credential Manager.  

Look for entries related to the work Microsoft account, OneDrive, Outlook, Office, Microsoft under both Web and Windows Credentials.  

Expand the relevant work account entry.  

Select Remove.  

Restart the computer.  

Note: Only remove entries that clearly belong to the work account.   

Step 4: Reset Microsoft 365 activation 

Download OLicenseCleanup.vbs and launch it. With this package, you can delete the license, delete the identities saved in the registry and delete the credentials.  

You can follow this guide to delete your work credentials: Reset activation state for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn  

Restart your device.  

Open Word again and sign in with your personal account.  

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

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