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How to Fix Office 2021 Showing as Microsoft 365 After Repair
Question details
The user's Office 2021 application displays Microsoft 365 branding after performing an online repair, accompanied by Excel OLE insertion errors and Safe Mode prompts.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Verifying the correct Office license after an online repair and troubleshooting Excel OLE insertion failures originating from third-party apps like SolidWorks.
- Observed behavior
- Office temporarily shows a Microsoft 365 license instead of Office 2021. Additionally, Excel fails to launch in the background for OLE insertion, prompting Safe Mode, unless Excel is already running.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready and close any third-party applications (such as SolidWorks) that might be actively interacting with your Office programs.
Verify Account Information and Switch License
Use this method if your Office application displays Microsoft 365 branding instead of your purchased Office 2021 license.
Performing an online repair can temporarily refresh the license cache with the latest Microsoft 365 branding. You can manually force the software to recognize your Office 2021 license from the Account menu.
Launch an Office application like Excel or Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the sidebar menu.
Review the 'Product Information' section to see if Office Home and Business 2021 is listed. If Microsoft 365 is currently shown, look for a 'Switch License' button below the product name.
Click 'Switch License', select your Office 2021 license, and follow the on-screen prompts. Afterward, sign out of your Microsoft account and sign back in to refresh the displayed branding.
Disable Add-ins to Fix Excel OLE and Safe Mode Errors
Apply this solution when Excel fails to launch normally for OLE insertions from third-party programs and prompts for Safe Mode.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Avoid confusing license switches, recurring Microsoft 365 branding changes, and complex activation troubleshooting. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and permanent solution with a highly familiar interface.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your device.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Excel, Word, or PowerPoint files without any formatting loss.
- 3. Enjoy Seamless Productivity: Start working immediately in a familiar, tabbed user interface without worrying about complex licensing or activation issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Office 2021 show as Microsoft 365?
An online repair can temporarily reset your local license cache, causing Office to display default Microsoft 365 branding. Signing out and signing back into your Microsoft account usually forces the system to recognize your purchased Office 2021 license.
How do I fix Excel OLE insertion errors in third-party apps?
OLE insertion failures often occur if conflicting add-ins prevent Excel from starting in the background. Opening Excel manually before inserting the OLE object, or disabling third-party COM add-ins in Excel's options, typically resolves this conflict.
Can I use my Office 2021 license on multiple computers?
Office 2021 is designed as a one-time purchase licensed for a single computer at a time. If you need to switch devices, you must uninstall the software from the original computer and reinstall it via the Services & Subscriptions page of your Microsoft account.
