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How to Fix Office Installation Error 0-2035 on Mac
Question details
Users are unable to successfully download, install, or activate Microsoft 365 on a Mac due to the error code 0-2035 (0).
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or activate a new Microsoft 365 subscription on a Mac that previously had a student edition of Microsoft Office installed.
- Observed behavior
- The installation or activation process fails and displays error 0-2035 (0), indicating a conflict between the old student edition files and the new subscription.
Make sure you have your active Microsoft 365 account credentials handy, and back up any unsaved work or local Outlook data before proceeding with the uninstallation.
Completely Remove Previous Office Files and Reinstall Microsoft 365
Performing a clean uninstallation of the conflicting student edition removes residual library files that block the new Microsoft 365 activation.
Microsoft Office saves background activation and configuration files in the macOS Library folders. Simply moving the applications to the Trash is not enough to clear the conflict; you must also delete the specific Container folders associated with the previous student edition.
Open Finder and navigate to the 'Applications' folder. Select all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and drag them to the Trash.
In Finder, press 'Command + Shift + G' to open the 'Go to Folder' window. Type '~/Library/Containers' and press Enter. Locate any folders related to Microsoft (such as com.microsoft.Word, com.microsoft.Excel) and move them to the Trash.
Press 'Command + Shift + G' again and navigate to '~/Library/Group Containers'. Look for and delete the following folders: 'UBF8T346G9.ms', 'UBF8T346G9.Office', and 'UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost'.
Empty your Trash and restart the Mac. Go to the official Microsoft website, sign in with your Microsoft 365 subscription account, download the latest installer, and follow the prompts to install and activate.
Try WPS Office for Mac – A Lightweight and Free Alternative
If you continue experiencing error 0-2035 or complicated activation issues with Microsoft 365, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, free office suite with a familiar interface that requires no complex background activations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button for macOS.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office from your Launchpad, and instantly open or edit your existing Microsoft Office files without any compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Office student edition conflict with Microsoft 365 on Mac?
Different editions of Office use separate licensing tokens and background preference files. When a student edition's residual files remain in the macOS Library, they can prevent Microsoft 365 from verifying its own subscription license, triggering error 0-2035.
What should I do if error 0-2035 persists after a clean reinstall?
If completely removing the old files and reinstalling does not resolve the issue, you may have a billing or account-level block. You will need to contact Microsoft Support through their official website to verify the status of your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Do I have to delete the Group Containers folders every time I update Office?
No. You only need to clear the Group Containers folders when you are switching between different license types (e.g., from a one-time purchase student edition to a Microsoft 365 subscription) or when troubleshooting severe activation errors like 0-2035.
