Fix Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 Removed After Windows Update
Question details
The user needs to understand why their Microsoft Office 2016 installation vanished after a system update and how to restore their office productivity tools.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Operating a version of Office purchased from a third-party online reseller, which is subsequently subjected to a routine Windows system update.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Office disappears entirely after a Windows update. Repeated attempts to reinstall the software fail as it gets removed again, followed by prompts urging the user to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Verify whether the Microsoft Office application has actually been uninstalled by checking your Windows 'Installed apps' settings menu, and locate the original purchase receipt and Microsoft account login credentials associated with your software.
Reinstall via Official Microsoft Account & Verify License
Check your official Microsoft account services to confirm your license validity and securely reinstall a legitimately linked Office product.
Microsoft updates proactively scan for unauthorized volume licenses, which are often sold improperly by third-party online resellers. If your software was deactivated and removed without consent, it is highly likely due to a flagged license key.
To restore your software securely and ensure it isn't removed again, always initiate the reinstallation directly from Microsoft's official portal rather than reusing the original third-party installer.
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps to confirm that Microsoft Office is completely missing from your system.
Open a secure web browser and navigate directly to https://account.microsoft.com/services.
Log in using the exact Microsoft account associated with your original Office 2016 purchase or activation.
Scroll through the 'Products and subscriptions' section to locate your Office Professional Plus 2016 purchase.
Click 'Install' next to the product and follow the on-screen prompts to download and run the genuine Microsoft installer.
Contact the Reseller or Purchase a Valid License
Address the root cause by resolving the invalid license issue directly with the original seller or acquiring a genuine retail key.
Keep Working Interruption-Free with WPS Office
If your Microsoft Office license was deactivated by a Windows update and you don't want to pay high subscription fees for Microsoft 365, WPS Office is the perfect free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative. It installs in seconds and lets you open, edit, and save all your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any formatting issues.
- 1. Download the Installer: Click the 'Download WPS Office Free' button to safely get the official installation package.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded file; the lightweight suite installs in less than a minute on any Windows PC.
- 3. Access Your Old Files: Open WPS Office and set it as your default application to instantly open and edit all your previously saved Office 2016 documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft remove my Office 2016 Professional Plus without asking?
Office Professional Plus is a volume licensing edition meant for corporate environments. When unauthorized resellers sell these bulk keys to individual consumers, Microsoft eventually detects the licensing violation during routine Windows updates and automatically disables or removes the unauthorized software.
Can I block Windows updates to keep my cheap Office license working?
While you can temporarily pause Windows updates in your settings, it is highly discouraged. Disabling operating system updates leaves your computer vulnerable to serious security risks, malware infections, and general performance issues.
Will I lose my Word and Excel files if Microsoft Office is suddenly uninstalled?
No. Uninstalling or losing access to the Microsoft Office application does not delete your locally saved documents, spreadsheets, or presentations. Your personal files remain safely stored on your hard drive and can be opened immediately with any compatible software like WPS Office.
How do I know if an online Microsoft Office reseller is legitimate before buying?
Legitimate Office keys are usually priced near Microsoft's official retail price. If an Office Professional Plus key (which normally costs over $500 for a single license) is sold for a fraction of the price (e.g., $20 to $40), it is almost certainly a volume license that violates Microsoft's terms of service and runs the risk of being disabled.
