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Office Installation Errors

How to Fix Microsoft Office 2021 Installation Error 30045-44 (1)

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to install Microsoft Office 2021 and receives error code 30045-44 (1) during the setup process.

Product
Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Business
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
Attempting to install Office 2021 purchased through an employer discount program.
Observed behavior
The installation fails repeatedly, displaying error code 30045-44 (1), and standard troubleshooting or manual removal of previous installations has not resolved the problem.
Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office purchase and a stable internet connection before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account License and Perform a Clean Reinstallation

Use this method to confirm your account has the correct license, clear network configuration blockers, and completely remove conflicting Office remnants.

Error 30045-44 (1) frequently occurs when the Office installer detects conflicting fragments from previous installations (such as a pre-installed Microsoft 365 Family trial) or when network configurations block the activation server.

1
Verify your Microsoft account license

Go to the Microsoft account website and sign in. Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' page to verify that your Office 2021 Home and Business license is actively linked to the account.

2
Fully uninstall previous Office versions

Open Windows Settings, go to 'Apps', and search for any existing Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 installations. Uninstall them completely. For a deeper clean, use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool to remove hidden files and registry keys.

3
Reset Internet settings

Open the Windows Control Panel and select 'Internet Options'. Go to the 'Advanced' tab and click the 'Reset' button. This clears network configurations that might be blocking the installer from reaching Microsoft servers.

4
Change DNS settings

If the network block persists, open 'Network Connections' in the Control Panel, right-click your active connection, and select 'Properties'. Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and change the DNS server addresses to public DNS (e.g., 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

5
Reinstall and activate Office

Return to your Microsoft account 'Services & subscriptions' dashboard, download the Office 2021 installer directly from there, and run the setup. Once installed, launch Word or Excel and sign in with your licensed account to activate.

Check for Pre-installed Trials: New Windows computers often come with a pre-installed trial of Microsoft 365. This trial must be completely uninstalled before attempting to install a standalone version like Office 2021 Home and Business.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Bypass Installation Errors and Open Your Files Immediately

If Microsoft Office 2021 continues to fail with error 30045-44 (1), switch to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that installs in seconds without complex license checks, allowing you to get back to work instantly.

  1. 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
  2. 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file. The installation is fast, lightweight, and completes without complicated registry modifications.
  3. 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without compatibility issues.
Lightweight installation process that avoids complex error codes like 30045-44 (1).Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for existing Office users.Free to download and use for your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Microsoft Office installation error 30045-44 (1)?

This error is typically caused by conflicting remnants of previously installed Office versions (such as an expired Microsoft 365 trial), incorrect network/DNS settings preventing communication with activation servers, or attempting to install with a mismatched account license.

Can I manually delete Office files to fix the installation error?

While you can manually delete folders in Program Files and remove registry keys, it is highly recommended to use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA). Manual removal often leaves hidden background services intact, which can continue to trigger the 30045-44 (1) error.

Does resetting my internet settings affect my other applications?

Resetting Internet Options through the Control Panel restores default security and connection settings for built-in Windows network protocols. It rarely negatively impacts other applications and is an effective way to resolve connectivity blocks during the Office installation.