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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Replacing Office 2016 or 2019
Question details
The user needs to restore their standard Office 2016 or 2019 installation after a Microsoft 365 trial or preinstalled version hijacked the file associations.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a document on a computer that has an existing perpetual Office license but also contains a preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial.
- Observed behavior
- Word and other applications open as Microsoft 365 instead of the expected Office 2016 or 2019, often prompting for a subscription.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account used to purchase your original Office 2016 or Office 2019 license before proceeding.
Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Reinstall Your Licensed Office
Remove the conflicting Microsoft 365 trial or preinstalled software and cleanly reinstall your purchased Office version from your Microsoft account.
When a new computer comes with a preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial, it can take over default file associations and launch instead of your perpetual Office license. While multiple versions can technically coexist, it is highly recommended to remove the unwanted version to avoid activation prompts and conflicts.
Navigate to your system's settings and open the 'Apps and Features' or 'Add or Remove Programs' menu.
Scroll through the list of installed programs, locate the 'Microsoft 365 Family' trial or installation, and click 'Uninstall'. Restart your computer once the uninstallation is complete.
Open a web browser and navigate to https://office.com/myaccount. Sign in using the exact Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 or 2019 purchase.
Locate your purchased Office license in your account dashboard and click 'Install' to download and setup the correct perpetual version.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid License Conflicts
Tired of confusing Office versions, expired trials, and subscription pop-ups? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy a clean, all-in-one workspace without the hassle of overlapping installations and account lockouts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer. WPS Office sets up in minutes without interfering with any existing software on your device.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files seamlessly without worrying about format loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 installed at the same time?
Yes, multiple versions of Office can technically be installed on the same computer. However, this often causes file association conflicts where documents open in the Microsoft 365 trial instead of your licensed Office 2019 version. Removing the unwanted version is recommended.
Why does Word ask me to subscribe to Microsoft 365 when I own Office 2016?
This usually happens because a preinstalled trial version of Microsoft 365 on your computer has taken over the default file associations. Uninstalling the trial and reinstalling Office 2016 using your Microsoft account resolves this issue.
Where can I download my purchased version of Office?
You can download your licensed perpetual version (such as Office 2016 or 2019) by logging into https://office.com/myaccount with the Microsoft account you used during the initial purchase.
