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How to Change the Microsoft Office License Used by Outlook for Mac
Question details
The user needs to switch the Microsoft 365 license currently associated with Outlook for Mac to match the account used by the rest of the Office suite.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Managing Microsoft 365 subscriptions and licenses on a Mac device.
- Observed behavior
- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are using the correct Microsoft account, but Outlook remains associated with an incorrect or outdated Microsoft 365 license.
Ensure you have the login credentials for your desired Microsoft 365 account and verify that it has an active subscription before proceeding to remove your current license.
Use the Office License Removal Tool for Mac
This official tool safely clears all Office license files from your Mac, allowing you to sign in fresh with the correct Microsoft 365 account in Outlook.
Because Microsoft Office licenses are stored system-wide on a Mac, simply signing out of Outlook is often not enough to clear the cached license. Running the removal tool forces all Office applications, including Outlook, to prompt for a new license activation upon their next launch.
Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the Office License Removal Tool for Mac.
Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to install and run the tool.
When prompted by the tool, confirm the action to remove all existing Office licenses from your Mac.
Open Microsoft Outlook and sign in with the correct Microsoft 365 account credentials to apply the desired license.
If Outlook does not immediately recognize the new license, completely restart your Mac to refresh the system cache.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Dealing with Microsoft 365 license conflicts can be frustrating and time-consuming. Try WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative. It offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats without the headache of complex subscription management.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free Mac version.
- 2. Install the application: Follow the simple installation steps to set up WPS Office on your Mac.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without worrying about licensing errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing the Office license delete my emails in Outlook?
No, the Office License Removal Tool only clears the activation license files. Your emails, local data files, and account configurations in Outlook will remain intact.
Why does Outlook use a different license than Word on my Mac?
This usually happens if a previous Microsoft account was used to activate Outlook, and the local keychain cache hasn't synced properly with the rest of the Office suite applications.
What should I do if the new license isn't recognized after signing in?
First, restart your Mac. If the issue persists, log into your Microsoft account via a web browser to verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is currently active.
Do I need administrator privileges to run the License Removal Tool?
Yes, because the license files are stored in the system's Library folder, you will need to enter your Mac administrator password to complete the removal process.
