Fix Microsoft Office 2013 Showing Wrong Account Name
Question details
The user is seeing an incorrect or unexpected Microsoft account name in the File > Account section, despite setting a different user name in the application options.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Checking account details and software license status after successfully activating applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Observed behavior
- The File > Account screen displays the Microsoft account used for license activation instead of the custom user name configured in Word Options.
Ensure you have your original Microsoft account login credentials handy and verify that your Office suite is fully activated before attempting to modify any account settings.
Verify Author Name vs. Licensed Account
Understand the difference between the document author name and the Microsoft account tied to your Office license.
In Microsoft Office 2013, the user name configured in Word Options is solely used to identify the document author in file properties. It does not override or change the licensed Microsoft account displayed in the main Account settings.
Your software license is permanently tied to the Microsoft account used during the initial purchase or setup.
Open Microsoft Word and navigate to 'File' > 'Options'. Under the 'General' tab, look for the 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office' section to see your configured author name.
Go to 'File' > 'Account'. The user information displayed here is permanently tied to the Microsoft account used to activate the Office Home and Student 2013 license.
On the same 'Account' page, look under the 'Product Information' section. If it says 'Product Activated', your software is fully functional regardless of the display name shown above it.
Switch to WPS Office for a Simplified Account Experience
Avoid confusing account setups and activation headaches by switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office with a straightforward interface and no complicated licensing requirements.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite and open WPS Office.
- 3. Open your files: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into WPS to continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Microsoft account associated with my Office 2013 license?
No, retail versions of Office Home and Student 2013 are permanently linked to the Microsoft account used during the initial setup and activation. You cannot transfer the license to a different Microsoft account.
Why doesn't my changed user name appear under File > Account?
Changing the user name in 'Word Options' only affects the 'Author' metadata for newly created documents. The 'File > Account' section will always display the Microsoft account profile associated with your license.
How do I check if my Office 2013 is fully activated?
Open any Office application like Word or Excel, click on 'File', and select 'Account'. Look under the 'Product Information' section; it will explicitly display 'Product Activated' if your license is valid.
Why doesn't my computer show up in my Microsoft account devices?
Older versions like Office 2013 may activate correctly but fail to register the specific computer hardware under your online Microsoft account device list. As long as the desktop software says 'Product Activated', you can continue using it without issues.
