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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Showing as Office 2016
Question details
The user needs to correct a licensing mismatch where Microsoft 365 applications incorrectly display as an older Office 2016 Professional Plus license.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Checking account information in Microsoft Office applications after a subscription upgrade, software update, or account switch.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 applications display the Office 2016 Professional Plus license in the account information, despite Windows identifying the installation as Microsoft 365.
Before removing license keys or uninstalling software, make sure to back up your Outlook data files (PST/OST) and ensure you have your correct Microsoft 365 account credentials ready for reactivation.
Remove Outdated Office 2016 License Keys via Command Prompt
Clear old product keys and KMS settings using the Office Software Protection Platform script to force the system to recognize your Microsoft 365 license.
Windows often caches old volume license or retail keys in the registry. Running the built-in ospp.vbs script allows you to view and delete these hidden legacy keys.
Click the Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt' in the search results, and select 'Run as administrator'.
Type 'cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16' (or 'cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16' for 32-bit installations) and press Enter.
Type 'cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus' and press Enter. Scroll through the output to find the entry for Office 2016 Professional Plus, and write down the 'Last 5 characters of installed product key'.
Type 'cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:XXXXX' (replace XXXXX with the 5 characters you wrote down) and press Enter. If there are multiple Office 2016 keys, repeat this step for each.
Type 'cscript ospp.vbs /ckms' and press Enter to clear any outdated KMS host configurations, then restart your computer and sign in to Microsoft 365.
Uninstall Conflicting Versions and Reinstall Microsoft 365
If removing the product key via command line does not resolve the issue, cleanly removing the old Office 2016 installation and reinstalling Microsoft 365 will reset the licensing.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of dealing with complex license mismatches, activation errors, and overlapping product keys? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy a familiar interface without the headache of managing legacy software.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and complete the lightweight installation in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Double-click your existing Microsoft Office files to open them seamlessly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 still show as Office 2016 after upgrading?
This happens because the legacy product keys or KMS licensing data from the previous Office 2016 installation are still cached in your Windows registry. Microsoft 365 detects this older perpetual license and prioritizes it in the account display.
Will uninstalling Office 2016 delete my Word and Excel files?
No, uninstalling Microsoft Office applications only removes the software itself. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved on your hard drive or cloud storage will remain completely intact.
How do I find the ospp.vbs script on Windows?
The ospp.vbs script is typically located in 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\' for 64-bit installations, or 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\' if you have the 32-bit version of Office installed on a 64-bit version of Windows.
