Activation Problems

Fix Office 2013 Showing Activated but Unlicensed

John Wilson Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus displays an 'activated but unlicensed' status.

Fix Office 2013 Showing Activated but Unlicensed

Product: Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Checking activation status or launching Office applications after installation or license changes.
Observed behavior: Office 2013 displays conflicting statuses, showing as both activated and unlicensed simultaneously due to multiple product keys or installations.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows computer and know your correct 25-character product key before making license modifications.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Duplicate Licenses Using Command Prompt

Use the built-in OSPP script to identify and remove conflicting or unused product keys from your system.

This issue occurs when multiple product keys are registered on the same machine, such as a remnant of a trial version alongside a purchased key. Clearing the unused keys will allow Office to recognize the correct active license.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.

Check Installed Licenses

Type 'cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus' and press Enter. Note the last five characters of the installed product keys listed in the output.

Identify Unused Keys

Review the output to see if there are multiple licenses. Identify the 5-character product key suffix for the unlicensed or unnecessary entry.

Remove the Conflicting Key

Type 'cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\OSPP.VBS" /unpkey:<last five characters>' (replacing <last five characters> with the actual characters you identified) and press Enter.

Restart Your Computer

Once the unused keys are successfully removed and only your valid purchased key remains, restart your computer and open Office to verify the status.

Remove Duplicate Licenses Using Command Prompt

File Path Variations: If you are running 32-bit Office on a 64-bit version of Windows, you must use 'C:\Program Files (x86)' instead of 'C:\Program Files' in your commands.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Activation Hassles

Tired of dealing with complex product keys and license conflicts? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative that provides high compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without the activation headaches.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without needing to convert them.

Free to use with no complicated activation or licensing conflicts.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on most Windows devices.Familiar user interface for a seamless and quick migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office 2013 show two different activation statuses?

This usually happens when there are remnants of a previous Office installation, a pre-installed trial version, or if multiple product keys were entered on the same machine.

Where can I find my correct Office 2013 product key?

Your product key can be found in the original confirmation email from Microsoft, on the physical retail card, or by logging into your connected Microsoft account.

What happens if I accidentally delete the wrong product key?

If you remove the wrong key, Office will become unlicensed. You will need to re-enter your valid 25-character product key or sign in with your Microsoft account to reactivate it.

Do I need an internet connection to fix this issue?

No, removing the conflicting product keys via Command Prompt does not require an internet connection, though reactivating the correct key might require one.

Installation & Activation