How to Safely Remove Non-Genuine Office 2016 from a Mac
Question details
The user needs to remove a potentially non-genuine or volume-licensed Microsoft Office 2016 installation from a second-hand Mac to legally install Microsoft 365, without performing a factory reset.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Setting up a second-hand Mac that contains unauthorized software and wanting to replace it with legitimate software without losing other installed applications.
- Observed behavior
- The existing volume license conflicts with activating a legitimate Microsoft 365 account, requiring complete removal of the old license and app files.
Ensure you have your legitimate Microsoft account credentials ready and close all running Microsoft applications before starting the uninstallation process.
Uninstall Office Apps and Run the License Removal Tool
Use this method to cleanly remove Office applications and strip away the unauthorized license files without needing to wipe your entire Mac hard drive.
A full factory reset is completely unnecessary for this issue. By manually removing the application files and utilizing Microsoft's official license removal tool, you can safely clear the non-genuine volume license from your system while preserving all your other installed software and personal files.
Open Finder, navigate to the 'Applications' folder, and select all Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Drag them to the Trash or right-click and select 'Move to Trash'.
In Finder, press Command+Shift+G and type '~/Library'. Navigate to the 'Containers' folder and delete any folders starting with 'com.microsoft'. Then, go back to the Library, open 'Group Containers', and delete the 'UBF8T346G9.ms', 'UBF8T346G9.Office', and 'UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost' folders.
Download the official Microsoft License Removal Tool from the Microsoft support website. Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to completely strip the old volume license from your Mac.
Empty your Mac's Trash and restart the computer. Once restarted, log in to your legitimate Microsoft 365 account online, download the installer, and proceed with a fresh, licensed installation.
Try WPS Office for Mac as a Hassle-Free Alternative
If you want to avoid complicated licensing issues, hidden fees, and large software footprints on your second-hand Mac, WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office.
- 1. Download the Mac Version: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Mac.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and simply drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files Instantly: Launch WPS Office to immediately open, edit, and save your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without worrying about license conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing Office delete my existing documents?
No. Uninstalling Microsoft Office applications and removing license files only affects the software itself. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved on your hard drive will remain completely safe.
Why do I need to use the License Removal Tool?
Simply dragging the apps to the Trash leaves hidden license files on your Mac. The License Removal Tool ensures the non-genuine or volume license is completely erased, preventing it from blocking the activation of your new, legitimate Microsoft 365 subscription.
Do I have to factory reset my Mac to remove pirated software?
No, a factory reset is usually unnecessary. As long as you manually uninstall the unauthorized applications and clear out their corresponding library caches, your system will be clean enough to install legitimate software while keeping your other apps intact.
