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Fix Project 2016 Volume License Deactivated After Microsoft 365 Update
Question details
Users are experiencing deactivation of their Project 2016 Standard volume licenses after a recent Microsoft 365 update.
- Product
- Microsoft Project 2016 Standard
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Activating Project 2016 using a MAK key after updating Microsoft 365 to version 16.0.18526.20168.
- Observed behavior
- The system rejects the MAK key and reports that the volume-licensed version of Project 2016 is not installed.
Ensure you have administrative access to your system's Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and have your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) ready.
Verify Office Deployment Tool XML Configuration
Check and update the ODT configuration to ensure the volume-licensed edition of Project 2016 is correctly specified and deployed alongside Microsoft 365.
Microsoft 365 updates can sometimes interfere with the shared licensing components of older, volume-licensed perpetual products like Project 2016. Using the Office Deployment Tool to explicitly re-declare the volume-licensed Project installation often resolves the conflict.
Locate the configuration XML file used by your Office Deployment Tool and open it in a standard text editor like Notepad.
Check the <Product> node to confirm that the Product ID correctly specifies the volume-licensed edition of Project 2016 Standard (e.g., ProjectStdXVolume).
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the setup command with your verified XML file (e.g., setup.exe /configure configuration.xml) to apply the correct installation parameters.
Launch Microsoft Project 2016 and attempt to re-enter your MAK product key to activate the software.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Project 2016 deactivate after updating Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 updates can sometimes overwrite or conflict with the shared licensing or Click-to-Run components of older, volume-licensed products installed on the same machine.
What is the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)?
The Office Deployment Tool is a command-line utility used by IT administrators to download, customize, and deploy Microsoft Office products, ensuring compatibility between volume-licensed software and Microsoft 365.
Where can I find my Multiple Activation Key (MAK)?
Your MAK key is located in your organization's Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) portal under the 'Licenses' or 'Downloads and Keys' section.
Can I run Microsoft 365 and Project 2016 on the same computer?
Yes, but they must both use the Click-to-Run installation technology. Installing a volume-licensed MSI version of Project 2016 alongside a Click-to-Run version of Microsoft 365 is not supported and will require proper ODT configuration.
