Users hit M365 Word and Excel Still Running in Background When Closed Version 2606 (Build when sign-in, licensing, install, or file access does not complete as expected. Confirm ownership details early—many “broken app” cases are actually account mismatches.
The Real Snag With M365 Word Excel Still Running Background
M365 Word and Excel Still Running in Background When Closed Version 2606 (Build is the core issue affecting Excel. Found that the M365 latest update Version 2606 (Build 20131.
Fastest Useful Move for M365 Word Excel Still Running Background
Save work, restart the device, and check for operating-system and Excel updates.
Typical Roots of M365 Word Excel Still Running Background
The Microsoft account in use may not match the purchase, mailbox, or license owner.
Cached credentials, device policy, or a stalled service check may block the expected action.
A subscription, permission, or temporary service issue may interrupt the workflow.
Restore Normal Access After M365 Word Excel Still Running Background
When to use this: Follow these steps when the symptoms match and you can access the relevant Microsoft account or escalate through Microsoft Support.
Save work, restart the device, and check for operating-system and Excel updates.
Temporarily disable conflicting add-ins, VPNs, or proxy settings and retry the update.
Run Quick Repair first, followed by Online Repair if the issue continues.
Confirm the installed version is supported on the current operating system before upgrading again.
Run Command Prompt as Administrator, then run:
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.20026.20182
After rollback, open Word or Excel > File > Account > Update Options > Disable Updates.
Please also report it through Word/Excel > File > Feedback, and include “Version 2606 Build 20131.20112 leaves WINWORD.EXE / EXCEL.EXE running after closing”. This will help Microsoft confirm and fix the bug faster.
Why this helps: The sequence separates identity, permission, and local-client issues before broader reinstall work.
If it still fails: Save the exact error text, account email, and screenshots for Microsoft Support.
Continue Document Work in WPS Through M365 Word Excel Still Running Background

WPS Office cannot fix Microsoft account sign-in, Authenticator, billing, activation entitlement, OneDrive ownership, or admin locks. Those stay on the Microsoft side.
While that recovery continues, WPS Office can keep local editing moving:
Download and install WPS Office.
Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF files in the matching WPS app.
Save a local working copy until Microsoft access returns.
Move or sync files back through your normal workflow afterward.
If you need a practical local workspace in the meantime, try WPS Office.
Stop Recurring M365 Word Excel Still Running Background Issues
Keep a backup verification method on important Microsoft accounts.
Record which account owns each purchase, mailbox, and device license.
Sign out of unused Microsoft profiles on shared PCs and update Office regularly.
Back up critical files before repair, reset, or reinstall actions.
Follow-Up Questions on M365 Word Excel Still Running Background
Can WPS Office solve the Microsoft-side failure? No. It helps you keep editing compatible files locally while Microsoft account or service issues are handled in Microsoft tools.
Should I reinstall Office immediately? Usually not. Confirm the account, subscription, and exact error first unless Microsoft guidance for your case requires a reinstall.
What should I send to Microsoft Support? The affected account email, device type, exact error text, and screenshots of the failure.




