Activation Problems

How to Check if Office 2016 Uses a Microsoft 365 License

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to know why Office 2016 displays "Microsoft 365" during updates and needs to verify if their license is a permanent Office 2016 activation or a leftover Microsoft 365 trial period.

How to Verify if Office 2016 is Using a Microsoft 365 License

Product: Microsoft Office 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Checking license activation status after replacing a previous Microsoft 365 subscription with a perpetual Office 2016 installation.
Observed behavior: The update prompt displays "Microsoft 365 and Office", causing confusion about whether the permanent Office 2016 license is active or if an expired trial period is running.

Before you start

Ensure you have your original Office 2016 product key or the Microsoft account associated with your perpetual license before attempting to reinstall or run the Support and Recovery Assistant.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Activation Status in Office Settings

Check the File > Account menu in any Office application to confirm which product is currently activated.

Open an Office Application

Launch Microsoft Word or any other Office 2016 application installed on your computer.

Navigate to the Account Menu

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Check Product Information

Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side. If it says 'Product Activated' and lists 'Office Professional Plus 2016' (or your specific 2016 edition), your permanent license is active.

Verify Activation Status in Office Settings

Shared Branding: Microsoft often uses 'Microsoft 365 and Office' branding during updates for both subscription and perpetual versions. Seeing this message does not automatically mean you are on a subscription.

Solution 2

Remove Conflicting Licenses using Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Use Microsoft's official tool to clean up leftover Microsoft 365 license files that may be conflicting with your Office 2016 installation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Office 2016 update mention Microsoft 365?

Microsoft updated its interface and update mechanisms to display 'Microsoft 365 and Office' globally across both perpetual and subscription versions. This shared update screen does not change your permanent 2016 license into a subscription.

How can I check if I am using an expired Microsoft 365 trial?

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to File > Account, and review the 'Product Information' section. If a trial or expired Microsoft 365 subscription is active, it will clearly display an expiration warning or an 'Activation Required' notice instead of 'Product Activated'.

Will uninstalling leftover Microsoft 365 files delete my Office 2016 documents?

No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 or using the Support and Recovery Assistant will only remove the software applications and license registry files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are saved separately and will remain safe on your device.

Installation & Activation