Permission & Access Issues

Fix AADSTS90072 and Workbook Permission Errors in Microsoft 365

Adam Davis Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve the AADSTS90072 error and regain access to an Excel workbook after experiencing account conflicts and permission drops in Microsoft 365.

Fix AADSTS90072 and Workbook Permission Errors in Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open an Excel workbook or sign into Microsoft Office when cached identity information from a former organization conflicts with the current account.
Observed behavior: The application displays error code AADSTS90072 or shows a message stating 'You do not have permission to open this workbook' despite the user having previous access.

Before you start

Ensure you have the correct email and password for the Microsoft account that owns the subscription, and save any open offline work before removing license files.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Outdated Office Licenses and Re-sign In

Use Microsoft's license-removal tool to clear corrupted or conflicting identity caches that trigger the AADSTS90072 error.

The AADSTS90072 error typically occurs because Office is still trying to authenticate using a cached token from a previous organizational account. Removing this hidden license history forces Office to request fresh credentials.

Sign Out of Office

Open any Microsoft Office application, click on your profile picture or account name at the top right, select 'Sign out', and completely close all Office applications.

Run the License Removal Tool

Download and run the official Microsoft Office license-removal tool specific to your operating system (Windows or Mac) to wipe the cached identity information.

Restart Your Device

Restart your computer to ensure all background Office services are fully refreshed and temporary cache files are cleared.

Sign In with the Correct Account

Launch Excel or Word and sign in using only the specific Microsoft account that currently holds the active Microsoft 365 subscription and workbook permissions.

Remove Outdated Office Licenses and Re-sign In

Account Refreshed: Signing in fresh ensures that your application authenticates with the correct organizational or personal directory.

Solution 2

Verify OneDrive or SharePoint Permissions

If clearing licenses does not restore access, verify that the workbook owner has not modified the file's sharing settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Management

Avoid complex account conflicts, forced logins, and license caching errors with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you view and edit local files instantly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click on 'Open', and select the previously inaccessible Excel file stored on your local drive.
3. Edit Without Account Hassles: Begin editing your spreadsheet immediately without worrying about complex organizational account authentication.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) workbooksNo complicated cloud licensing conflicts or AADSTS90072 errors for local filesLightweight installation that runs smoothly on older devicesFree to use for everyday document creation and editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the AADSTS90072 error in Microsoft 365?

This error is typically triggered by a conflict in your device's cached identity information, usually when Office tries to authenticate using remnants of a former school or work organization account instead of your current active account.

Why do I get a permission denied error after I could open the workbook yesterday?

Permission errors can occur if the file's owner altered the sharing settings, if a shared link expired overnight, or if your Office app silently switched its active background connection to a different cached account that lacks access.

Does removing Office license files delete my actual documents?

No. Running the Microsoft license-removal tool only deletes the hidden authentication and activation tokens on your device. Your personal documents, workbooks, and files stored on your hard drive or in the cloud remain completely unaffected.

Document & File Issues