Activation Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Project Error AADSTS70008 During License Transfer

Adam Davis Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter error AADSTS70008 when attempting to activate Microsoft Project after the software license has been reassigned from a former employee.

How to Fix Microsoft Project Error AADSTS70008 During License Transfer

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Transferring or reassigning a Microsoft Project license to a new user on a previously used computer.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Project fails to activate and displays error AADSTS70008 because it is still referencing the cached account identities and activation data of the previous user.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on the Windows PC and verify in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center that the Microsoft Project license has been successfully assigned to the new user account.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Cached Office Activation Data and Identities

Use Microsoft's automated tools and Windows settings to clear old account credentials that trigger the AADSTS70008 error.

When a license is transferred, Windows and Office often retain the previous user's login tokens. Clearing these cached credentials forces the software to authenticate the new user's license properly.

Disconnect the previous work account

Open Windows Settings, navigate to 'Accounts', and select 'Access work or school'. Find the previous user's account, click on it, and select 'Disconnect'.

Run the Support and Recovery Assistant

Download and launch the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool from the official Microsoft website.

Clear the activation state

In the SaRA tool, select 'Office', choose 'I've installed Office, but I can't activate it', and follow the on-screen prompts to wipe the cached activation data.

Sign in with new credentials

Restart your computer, open Microsoft Project, and sign in using the new employee's email address and password to activate the license.

Activation Reset Complete: Once the cache is cleared, Microsoft Project will prompt for a fresh login, allowing the new license assignment to be recognized immediately.

Solution 2

Perform a Windows Clean Boot and Test a New User Profile

If clearing the cache does not resolve the error, background software conflicts or a corrupted Windows user profile may be preventing activation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does error AADSTS70008 mean in Microsoft Project?

Error AADSTS70008 indicates that the authentication token used by the application has expired or was revoked. During a license transfer, this usually happens because the software is still attempting to use the outdated, cached login credentials of the previous employee.

How do I completely remove the previous user's Office product key using Command Prompt?

You can use the ospp.vbs script. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, navigate to the Office installation folder, and run 'cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus' to find the last 5 characters of the installed key. Then, run 'cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:XXXXX' (replacing XXXXX with the characters) to remove it.

Will resetting my Office activation data delete my saved Microsoft Project files?

No, resetting your activation data or clearing cached identities only resets the licensing state of the software. Your actual project files (.mpp) and documents are saved safely on your local hard drive or cloud storage and will not be affected.

Installation & Activation