Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Office Sign-In Reverting to an Old Company Account

Natalie Taylor Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to sign in to Microsoft Word and Excel using a new company account because the applications keep defaulting to an old company email domain.

How to Fix Office Sign-In Reverting to an Old Company Account

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: A company recently updated its Microsoft 365 or SharePoint domain, and the user needs to sign in with the newly provided credentials to access their work applications.
Observed behavior: During the sign-in process, Word and Excel automatically replace the new company email domain with the old account domain. Outlook and OneDrive do not exhibit this issue and connect correctly.

Before you start

Ensure you have your new company account email and password ready, and save any ongoing work before forcefully closing Microsoft applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Outdated Credentials in Windows Credential Manager

Removing old cached Microsoft identities from Windows prevents Office applications from defaulting to the old company account.

Microsoft Office often caches login tokens locally on your Windows device to speed up authentication. When a company changes its domain, these stale cached tokens can force Office apps like Word and Excel to revert to the old domain.

Clearing the outdated generic credentials will force the applications to request and save the new account information.

Close All Microsoft Applications

Exit out of Word, Excel, Outlook, and any other Microsoft 365 applications. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and verify that no Office processes are running in the background.

Open Credential Manager

Click the Start button on your Windows taskbar, type 'Credential Manager' in the search bar, and hit Enter to open the utility.

Locate Windows Credentials

Click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab at the top of the window, then scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section.

Remove Outdated Microsoft Credentials

Look for any saved credentials that reference 'MicrosoftAccount' or your old company email domain. Click the down arrow next to the credential and select 'Remove'. Leave your current OneDrive credential intact if it is working correctly.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer. Open Word or Excel and proceed to sign in with your new company account.

Clear Outdated Credentials in Windows Credential Manager

Check Windows Account Settings: If the old domain still appears after clearing credentials, go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Access work or school, locate the old company account, and click 'Disconnect'.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If you are tired of struggling with Microsoft 365 account caching and login conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible and seamless document editing experience without frustrating domain configuration issues.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your device.
2. Install the Software: Follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to quickly install WPS Office.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without dealing with login conflicts.

Completely free and lightweight, taking up minimal system resources.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.No complicated account domain caching issues to manage or troubleshoot.Familiar user interface ensuring a seamless migration with zero learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Word defaulting to my old company email?

Microsoft Office often caches your previous login credentials in the Windows Credential Manager. Even if your company updates your Microsoft 365 account, this local cache may override the new sign-in attempt until it is manually cleared.

Will removing Windows Credentials delete my documents or files?

No, clearing Windows Credentials only removes saved login tokens and passwords from your computer. Your documents, spreadsheets, and cloud files stored on SharePoint or OneDrive remain completely safe and untouched.

How do I completely remove a work account from my Windows device?

Open your Windows Settings, go to 'Accounts', and select 'Access work or school' from the left menu. Click on the old company account you wish to remove and select 'Disconnect' to unlink it from your device completely.

Login & Account Issues