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How to Reactivate Office 2016 for Mac After Microsoft 365 Trial
Question details
The user needs to reactivate their previously working Office 2016 for Mac after accidentally triggering a Microsoft 365 trial, which caused Office applications to lock and prevent saving files.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- User clicked a Microsoft 365-related link, activating a trial that conflicts with their existing Office 2016 license.
- Observed behavior
- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint prompt for activation and prevent the user from saving files. Reinstalling and deleting license files did not work.
Ensure you have your original Office 2016 for Mac product key or the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 purchase ready before proceeding.
Uninstall the Conflicting Microsoft 365 Trial
Removing the Microsoft 365 trial files resolves the license conflict and allows Office 2016 to recognize its original activation.
When a Microsoft 365 trial is activated on a Mac that already has Office 2016 installed, the newer license files overwrite or conflict with the older ones. Standard license removal tools often fail in this specific scenario because they might not target the exact trial files causing the interference.
Ensure that Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are completely closed on your Mac.
Launch 'Finder' and navigate to the 'Applications' folder from the sidebar.
Locate the Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and drag them to the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon and select 'Empty Trash'.
Go to the official Microsoft Account portal, sign in with the account linked to your Office 2016 purchase, and download the Office 2016 for Mac installer.
Run the installer. Once installed, open any Office application and follow the prompts to sign in and reactivate your Office 2016 software.
Avoid Activation Hassles with WPS Office for Mac
If you are tired of dealing with complex license conflicts and activation prompts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a complete, lightweight, and free productivity suite that works seamlessly on macOS without complicated activation requirements.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Suite: Open the downloaded .dmg package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Working Instantly: Launch WPS Office and immediately start opening, editing, and saving your existing Microsoft Office files without activation hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did clicking a Microsoft 365 link deactivate my Office 2016?
Clicking the link likely initiated a Microsoft 365 trial, which overwrites or conflicts with the existing Office 2016 license files on your Mac, causing the applications to lock when the trial cannot be verified.
Can I have both Office 2016 and Microsoft 365 installed on the same Mac?
It is generally not recommended, as having multiple versions of Office installed on the same operating system can cause severe license conflicts and activation errors.
Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my saved documents?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft 365 applications only removes the software itself. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations remain safely stored on your hard drive.
How do I find my original Office 2016 installer?
You can download the Office 2016 installer by logging into your Microsoft account online, navigating to 'Services & subscriptions', and locating your Office 2016 purchase history.
