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How to Fix Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 Installation Conflicts
Question details
The user experiences continuous Microsoft 365 license prompts and suddenly disappearing Word documents, suspecting an installation conflict between Office 2021 and Microsoft 365.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using Office 2021 on a computer that previously had or currently has a Microsoft 365 installation.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 license prompts interrupt the workflow, and Word documents may unexpectedly close or disappear when the prompt is dismissed.
Verify your Microsoft account to ensure your Office 2021 license is actively linked, and make sure you have your product key available if a reinstall is required.
Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Repair Office 2021
Removing the conflicting Microsoft 365 trial or subscription version leaves only your perpetual Office 2021 license active, stopping the prompt loops.
Pre-installed Microsoft 365 versions often conflict with standalone retail versions like Office 2021. Completely removing the unused version resolves the background licensing checks.
Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
Scroll down or search for 'Microsoft 365'. Click the three dots (or select it) and choose Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove it completely.
Locate 'Office 2021' in the same Installed apps list. Select Modify, then choose 'Online Repair' to ensure your Office 2021 installation is intact and correctly linked to file associations.
Reboot your PC to finalize the uninstallation and apply the system registry fixes.
Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)
If standard uninstallation fails, the SaRA tool can forcefully scrub lingering Microsoft 365 activation files causing the conflict.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Licensing Conflicts
Managing different Office licenses and versions can be a hassle. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and unified suite that replaces the need for complex Microsoft Office setups, while remaining highly compatible with all your existing documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Click the download button to get the latest version of WPS Office for your device.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer. WPS Office sets up in minutes without requiring complicated activation keys.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 installed on the same computer?
It is highly discouraged. Installing both versions on the same device causes the software to compete for file associations and activation checks, leading to license prompts and unexpected document crashes.
Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my saved Word documents?
No. Uninstalling the Office application only removes the software itself. Your personal files, such as Word documents and Excel spreadsheets saved on your local drive, remain safe and untouched.
How do I check which version of Office is currently active on my PC?
Open any Office application, such as Word. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' from the bottom-left menu. Under 'Product Information', you will see the name and activation status of the currently active Office version.
