Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

Stop Microsoft 365 Free Trial Popup After Reinstalling Windows

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to disable a recurring free trial prompt for Microsoft 365 that appears at system startup after a Windows reinstall.

Product: Microsoft 365 Personal
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Starting up the computer after performing a factory reset or a clean reinstallation of the Windows 11 operating system.
Observed behavior: A Microsoft 365 free trial activation prompt repeatedly pops up during Windows startup, despite the user already having an active Personal subscription.

Before you start

Because this solution requires modifying the Windows Registry, it is highly recommended to create a system restore point or manually back up your registry before proceeding. Incorrect changes to registry keys can cause system instability or unexpected behavior.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete Office OEM Keys Using the Registry Editor

Removing specific leftover manufacturer (OEM) registry keys prevents Windows from mistakenly triggering the pre-installed Office trial prompt.

When Windows is factory-reset or reinstalled, it often restores the manufacturer's pre-loaded software markers. These leftover OEM credentials take priority at startup and trigger the trial notification before the system recognizes your active Microsoft 365 subscription. Safely deleting these specific keys will resolve the startup annoyance.

Open the Registry Editor

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type 'regedit' into the text field and press Enter or click OK. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow access.

Locate and Delete the First OEM Key

In the Registry Editor address bar, paste the following path and press Enter: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\OEM. Right-click the 'OEM' folder on the left pane and select Delete.

Locate and Delete the Second OEM Key

Next, navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\OEM. Right-click this 'OEM' folder as well and select Delete to remove it.

Restart Your Computer

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes. The free trial prompt should no longer appear at startup.

Delete Office OEM Keys Using the Registry Editor

Alternative Fix via Microsoft Support: If the startup popup persists after deleting these registry keys, the remaining activation files may be deeply corrupted. You will need to contact Microsoft Support or use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool to completely uninstall and reinstall your Office suite.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft 365 trial popup appear even though I have a paid subscription?

When Windows 11 is factory-reset, it sometimes restores the computer manufacturer's original software markers. These OEM registry keys trigger the default trial prompt at startup before the software checks online to recognize your active Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

Is it safe to delete the OEM folder in the Registry Editor?

Yes, it is entirely safe as long as you only delete the specific Office OEM folders located in the '16.0\Common' paths mentioned in the solution. This will clear the trial trigger without affecting the rest of your system or your legitimate subscription.

What should I do if I accidentally delete the wrong registry key?

If you backed up your registry or created a system restore point before making changes, you can easily revert them. To import a registry backup, open the Registry Editor, click 'File' in the top menu, select 'Import', and choose the backup file you saved earlier.

How do I perform a complete clean reinstall of Office if this doesn't work?

If editing the registry doesn't stop the popups, you can download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool from the official Microsoft website. This tool automatically wipes all hidden and corrupted Office credentials, allowing you to perform a clean, error-free reinstallation.

Installation & Activation