Microsoft Account Errors

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Credentials, OneDrive, and Access Denied Errors

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are experiencing issues with Microsoft 365 applications displaying expired credentials, unavailable AutoSave functionality, failing OneDrive uploads, or Access Denied errors when using Excel.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using Microsoft 365 applications after an Office installation or update.
Observed behavior: Applications show expired credentials, AutoSave is disabled, OneDrive uploads fail, and Access Denied errors appear when attempting to open or save files in Excel.

Before you start

Before modifying the system registry, it is highly recommended to create a full backup of the registry or create a Windows system restore point to prevent unintended system instability.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Office Identity Cache and Registry Keys

Use this method to resolve credential conflicts by completely removing outdated authentication tokens from your system's cache and registry.

Microsoft 365 relies on cached identity tokens to keep you logged in. When these tokens expire or become corrupted, they can cause Access Denied errors and break OneDrive syncing. Clearing these local caches forces Office to generate fresh authentication data.

Sign out of Microsoft 365

Open any Office application such as Word or Excel, click on your account name or profile picture at the top right corner, and select 'Sign Out'. Close all Microsoft 365 applications.

Clear OneAuth and IdentityCache folders

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Navigate to the local Microsoft app data folder (usually %localappdata%\Microsoft) and delete all files inside both the 'OneAuth' and 'IdentityCache' folders.

Remove the Office Identity registry key

Open the Registry Editor by typing 'regedit' in the Windows search bar. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. Right-click the 'Identity' folder and select 'Delete' to clear the cached registry credentials.

Registry Modification Warning: Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Ensure you only delete the specified 'Identity' key and leave other Office registry keys intact.

Solution 2

Reset Office via Click-to-Run Command

If clearing the identity cache does not work, resetting Office through the Click-to-Run command line can repair underlying installation issues.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Complex Credential Issues

Dealing with expired credentials, Access Denied errors, and registry fixes in Microsoft 365 can be frustrating. WPS Office offers a lightweight, completely free alternative that requires no complex account setup. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless compatibility with all your Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without the hassle of subscription credential bugs.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation in minutes.
3. Open Existing Microsoft Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents—they are fully compatible and ready to edit immediately.

Highly compatible with all major Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Does not require complicated account credential management or registry troubleshooting to function.Lightweight design that installs quickly and runs smoothly even on older devices.All-in-one software suite to seamlessly view, edit, and create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Excel showing an 'Access Denied' error when opening files?

This error usually occurs due to cached or expired Microsoft 365 credentials conflicting with your current login session, which prevents Excel from verifying your cloud permissions to access synced files.

Where can I find the IdentityCache folder for Microsoft Office?

The IdentityCache folder is typically located in your local AppData directory. You can access it by typing %localappdata%\Microsoft in the Windows Run dialog (Win + R).

Will deleting the Office Identity registry key uninstall my Office apps?

No, deleting the Identity registry key only clears your account sign-in cache and authentication tokens. Your Office applications, settings, and personal files will remain intact, but you will need to sign into your account again.

How do I fix OneDrive AutoSave not working in Microsoft 365?

If AutoSave is unavailable or OneDrive uploads consistently fail, it indicates a credential sync issue. Signing out of all Office apps, clearing the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders, and signing back in usually restores the AutoSave functionality.

Login & Account Issues