365 seems to have overwritten pre-installed office 2024 credentials - advice to remedy please

Question

I have a pre-installed 2024 Office pro on my PC, recently outlook(classic) was being problematic whereby the usual fixes were not working, consequently did the longer MS fix on line which was successful, however, now I come to use word, excel etc and am advised only have 2 days left on free trial of 365 ( I have never used or signed up for 365 nor do I wish to), I have signed out of my account, signed back in restarted etc etc all to no avail. In my account it tells me 'awaiting activation'. As this was pre-installed I do not have an activation code, I wonder if anyone has come across this issue and a remedy for it - any advice much appreciated - Terry

Answer 1

Thanks!

The solution I would recommend is reinstalling Office. Windows might have somehow identified it as MS 365.

However, since you don't have the product key or the installer, doing this is more complicated.

First of all, check if MS 365 was installed during the repair:

1. Open Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Search for Microsoft 365. Also, check if Microsoft Office is installed correctly.
2. Since the computer was purchased recently, contact the seller and check the store's options.

Answer 2

Thanks for having a look at this for me, can't tell you how annoying it is and it seems like I am not the only one .... The PC is probably 2 months old, it was purchased with the full version of Office 2024 pre-installed ... not 365 ... , I have signed out of my MS account and then switched off etc, then signed back in with my account details, but when I then look, it still says 'not activated' or words to that effect. The original solution to my Outlook issue was the office repair app. There are two options within that app, one, 'quick fix', i.e., a local repair and a longer fix which is done by MS on line and it was this one that messed it all up.

Answer 3

Hi!

consequently did the longer MS fix on line which was successful...

What exactly was the solution you tried?

Did you buy this computer recently (say, a month ago), or have you owned it for years?

Generally, pre-installed software involves either OEM licenses tied to the hardware or licenses that are automatically linked to your account when you sign in.

Did the computer actually come with Office 2024 pre-installed, or with a time-limited MS 365 subscription (some retailers do this—for example, offering a free one-year subscription)?