Fix Office 365 Repeated Password Prompts After Windows Updates
Question details
The user needs to resolve repeated Microsoft 365 sign-in prompts in Office desktop applications after a Windows update.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office 365
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- After installing a Windows update, the user opens Office applications and is repeatedly asked for the Microsoft 365 account password.
- Observed behavior
- Office 365 keeps showing password prompts even after changing the password, clearing Credential Manager entries, and setting Require sign-in to Never.
Close all Office applications and confirm that you can sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal with the same account. Note your Office version and Windows update build so you can match known AAD errors or update-specific issues.
Clear Office Credentials and Remove Unsupported Identity Registry Values
Use this first when repeated sign-in prompts started after a Windows update and you can sign in to Microsoft 365 online.
Repeated prompts after Windows updates are often caused by obsolete Windows credentials or by unsupported identity registry values that override WAM. Removing these entries lets Office use the modern Azure AD authentication broker instead of failing back to repeated legacy password prompts.
Right-click each Office app icon in the taskbar and select Close window, or use Task Manager to end Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams processes.
Press Windows + S, type Credential Manager, and open it. Select Windows Credentials, then remove any Office, MicrosoftOffice, or MicrosoftAccount entries related to your Microsoft 365 account.
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity.
Right-click and delete DisableADALatopWAMOverride, DisableAADWAM, and EnableADAL if they are present. Close Registry Editor.
Restart Windows, open an Office app, and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account again.
Repair Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin and Run Office Account Cleanup Tools
Use this when clearing credentials does not stop the prompts or when you see AAD errors 1097, 1098, or 0x8009002C.
Check Windows Feedback Hub and Microsoft Support Thread for an Update-Specific Fix
Use this if the issue started immediately after a specific Windows update and persists after local credential repairs.
Avoid Repeated Microsoft 365 Sign-In Prompts with WPS Office
WPS Office is a free, lightweight Office alternative with a familiar ribbon interface and full compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. It lets you open and edit your documents without Microsoft 365 sign-in prompts, Azure AD broker repairs, or Windows credential resets.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Click Download WPS Office Free on the official WPS website and save the installer to your Windows computer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer, accept the terms, and follow the setup wizard until installation completes.
- 3. Open Microsoft Office files: Launch WPS Writer, WPS Spreadsheets, or WPS Presentation, then open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 365 keep asking for a password after a Windows update?
A Windows update can invalidate or corrupt cached Microsoft 365 credentials and Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin data. Unsupported identity registry values such as DisableADALatopWAMOverride, DisableAADWAM, and EnableADAL can also force legacy authentication behavior.
Should I remove Office credentials from Credential Manager?
Yes. Open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials and remove obsolete Office, MicrosoftOffice, or MicrosoftAccount entries. Then restart Windows and sign in again.
What does AAD error 0x8009002C mean when signing in to Office 365?
It usually means cached authentication data cannot be decrypted after an update. Repairing Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin and running Microsoft account cleanup tools can clear the corrupted state.
Do I need to edit the registry to stop repeated Office 365 sign-in prompts?
Only if the values exist. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity and remove DisableADALatopWAMOverride, DisableAADWAM, and EnableADAL if present.
Can WPS Office open my Microsoft 365 files if I stop using Office 365?
Yes. WPS Office opens, edits, and saves .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, and PDF files and uses a familiar ribbon interface, so you can avoid Microsoft 365 sign-in issues without losing document compatibility.
