Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Stop Recurring Microsoft Office Sign-In Prompts for a Deleted Account

Huda Qurayshi Oct 14, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to stop persistent sign-in pop-ups for a university email account that has been permanently closed.

Stop Recurring Microsoft Office Sign-In Prompts for a Deleted Account

Product: Microsoft Office / Windows
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Using a personal laptop after leaving a university, resulting in the school account being closed but still cached on the device.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Office continuously triggers a sign-in prompt for the deleted account, which immediately returns after being dismissed.

Before you start

Make sure to close all Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, before modifying your account settings or clearing credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Disconnect the Account and Clear Windows Credentials

This is the most common and safest method to stop the prompts, as it removes the link between your Windows system and the defunct school account.

Windows often stores work or school accounts system-wide. When the account is deleted on the server side, Windows and Office still attempt to authenticate using saved credentials, resulting in a continuous loop.

Disconnect the Work or School Account

Go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. Locate the old university account, click on it, and select 'Disconnect'.

Open Windows Credential Manager

Click the Start button, search for 'Credential Manager', and open the application from the search results.

Remove Office Credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section, find any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice16' or containing your old email address, click the downward arrow to expand them, and select 'Remove'.

Disconnect the Account and Clear Windows Credentials

Restart Required: After completing these steps, restart your laptop to ensure the cached authentication tokens are fully flushed from the system memory.

Solution 2

Remove the Office Identity via Registry Editor

If standard credential clearing does not work, you can manually delete the cached account identity directly from the Windows Registry.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If Microsoft Office continues to cause frustrating sign-in loops or requires expensive subscriptions just to edit your personal files, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative without complicated background credential managers.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
3. Open Existing Files: Double-click any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document to instantly open, view, and edit it seamlessly within WPS Office.

No forced background sign-in loops or complicated account synchronization issues.Fully compatible with all major Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight installation that won't drain your laptop's resources.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface that requires zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office keep asking for the password of a deleted account?

Office applications cache account credentials and authentication tokens locally on your device to speed up sign-ins. When an account is deleted by a university or employer, your local system still attempts to authenticate using the outdated cached data, causing continuous error prompts.

Can I remove this recurring sign-in prompt on a Mac?

Yes. On a Mac, you need to open the 'Keychain Access' utility, search for 'Office' or 'ADAL', and delete the cached password entries. You may also need to run the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool to completely clear the old account data.

Will removing Windows credentials delete my local files or documents?

No. Removing entries from the Windows Credential Manager only deletes saved passwords and authentication tokens used for logging in. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and other locally saved files will remain completely unaffected.

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