Office 2024 for Mac

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your question. I understand how frustrating it is to have a fully licensed product suddenly stop working after an update and start prompting you to activate Microsoft 365 instead. I’m really sorry this happened, especially since you’ve already removed files from the Library and tried a complete reinstall. This issue usually occurs when Office pulls in the wrong licensing identity during an update, causing it to behave as if it requires a Microsoft 365 subscription even though a perpetual license is installed.

The recommended steps are to completely reset Office activation by removing the stored license files in both the user and system Library folders, clearing cached identity files, and then reinstalling Office using the official offline installer for perpetual versions so the correct license can register again. Microsoft documentation also notes that some updates can temporarily replace the license token, which is why manually removing the old activation files often resolves the conflict.

May I ask whether you previously activated this license using a Microsoft account or if your version was installed using a product key or a direct download from your organization? Please feel free to share any details so I can guide you through the exact steps needed to restore your activation.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Noel

The Mac is still picking up the old Microsoft 365 subscription license instead of the perpetual Office 2024 for Mac license. Remove all existing Office license data, then reactivate specifically with the Office 2024 license.

Follow these steps:

1. Remove existing license files with the official tool
   1. Quit all Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
   2. Download and run the official License Removal Tool: Download the license removal tool.
   3. Open the .pkg file from Downloads and follow the wizard.
   4. When prompted, select Install to complete license removal (admin password may be required).
   5. After it finishes, select Close.
   This completely removes all Microsoft 365/Office license files and keychain entries from the Mac.
2. (Optional but recommended) Manually clear remaining Office credentials
   1. Open Spotlight (magnifying glass in the top-right) and search for Keychain.
   2. Open Keychain Access.
   3. Search for Office and delete any Office-related data license entries.
3. Reinstall Office 2024 for Mac (if needed) If Office apps were removed with AppCleaner, reinstall using the Office 2024 installer or the appropriate perpetual installer package (for example, “Office 2024 for Mac Installer”). After installation, do not sign in with an old Microsoft 365 work/school account.
4. Activate with the correct Office 2024 license
   1. Open any Office app (for example, Word).
   2. In the “What’s New” window, select Get Started.
   3. On the Sign in to activate Office screen, select Sign in.
   4. Sign in with the account that owns the Office 2024 for Mac perpetual license (not the old work Microsoft 365 account).
   5. If prompted to choose a license and both a Microsoft 365 license and an Office 2024 license appear, choose the Office 2024 license.
5. If still prompted to “Activate Office 365”
   1. Quit the app completely (Word > Quit Word).
   2. Reopen the app and check if the message is gone.
   3. If the prompt persists, repeat the license removal tool and keychain cleanup, then reactivate, ensuring only the Office 2024 license/account is used.

If the license was originally tied to an employer’s Microsoft 365 subscription, that license remains owned by the employer and cannot be reused; in that case, only the newly purchased Office 2024 license/account should be used during activation.

References:

• How to remove Office license files on a Mac
• Download and run the license removal tool
• Activate Office for Mac
• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac
• Overview of activation for Office for Mac
• Microsoft Office activation and the Mac App Store
• Why does office 2024 home for mac require activating microsoft 365 subscription? - Microsoft Q&A