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Fix Microsoft Word Keeps Asking to Purchase Microsoft 365
Question details
The user is repeatedly prompted to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription when opening Microsoft Word or Excel, despite having already purchased a separate Office edition.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening Microsoft Word or Excel to view or edit documents.
- Observed behavior
- The application intercepts the user's workflow with a pop-up requesting them to buy a Microsoft 365 subscription, often because a trial version is active instead of the purchased license.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your standalone Office purchase before making any changes.
Uninstall the Microsoft 365 Trial and Launch Your Licensed Office
Removing the conflicting pre-installed trial version ensures your computer defaults to the standalone Office version you actually purchased.
Many new computers come with a pre-installed trial of Microsoft 365. If you launch this trial version instead of the standalone Office edition you purchased (like Office 2021 or Office 2019), it will continuously prompt you for a subscription.
Click the Start menu and select the gear icon to open Settings. Navigate to 'Apps' and then click on 'Installed apps' or 'Apps & features'.
Search the app list for 'Microsoft 365'. Click the three-dot menu next to it (or click the app name) and select 'Uninstall'. Follow the prompts to completely remove the trial version from your computer.
Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account used to purchase your Office suite. Go to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab, locate your purchased version, and click 'Install'.
Once installed, launch Word or Excel. When the sign-in screen appears, enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account to activate the license.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If you want to avoid confusing license activations and subscription fees altogether, WPS Office is a completely free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft 365.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click on the 'Download WPS Office Free' button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word or Excel documents. You can continue editing immediately without any subscription barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Word asking me to buy Microsoft 365 when I already bought Office 2021?
This usually happens because a trial version of Microsoft 365 is pre-installed on your computer. When you click the Word shortcut, it opens the trial version instead of your purchased Office 2021 software. Uninstalling the trial resolves this overlap.
Will I lose my saved documents if I uninstall the Microsoft 365 trial?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft 365 application only removes the software program. All your locally saved documents, spreadsheets, and files remain completely safe and untouched on your computer's hard drive.
How do I check which version of Office I actually purchased?
You can verify your purchased version by logging into your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com. Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section, where all your active digital licenses and purchased Office products will be listed.
