Fix Office 2021 for Mac Still Showing as Office 2019 After Installation
Question details
The user installed Microsoft Office 2021 on a Mac, but the application's About dialog still displays the version as Office 2019.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Upgrading or reinstalling Microsoft Office from a previous 2019 one-time-purchase version to the newer 2021 version on the same device.
- Observed behavior
- The About dialog incorrectly identifies the installed product as Office 2019, despite Office 2021 being successfully installed.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account used to purchase both the Office 2019 and Office 2021 licenses.
Change the License Associated with Your Microsoft Account
Resolve the version conflict by manually managing multiple one-time-purchase Office installs linked to a single Microsoft account.
When multiple one-time-purchase licenses are linked to the same Microsoft account, your Mac might default to reading the older license file. Manually updating the license from within the application usually resolves this conflict.
Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word or Excel, from your Mac's Applications folder or Launchpad.
Click on the application name (e.g., 'Word') in the top Apple menu bar and select 'About Microsoft Word' from the dropdown menu.
Click on the 'License' section to view the active license details. Select 'Update License' or 'Change License', and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2021 purchase.
Choose the Office 2021 license from the list of available licenses linked to your account, complete the activation prompts, and restart the application to apply the changes.
Perform a Clean Installation of Office 2021
Remove all traces of the previous Office 2019 installation and perform a fresh installation of Office 2021 to ensure no older files conflict with the new version.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Complex Licensing Issues
Dealing with multiple one-time-purchase licenses in Microsoft Office can be frustrating and time-consuming. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for Mac users, featuring a familiar UI and seamless migration without complex license conflicts.
- 1. Download the Mac installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Launch and sign in: Open WPS Office from your Applications folder or Launchpad, sign in, and start creating or editing your documents seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac still show Office 2019 after installing Office 2021?
This happens when multiple one-time-purchase licenses (like Office 2019 and Office 2021) are linked to the same Microsoft account. The Mac continues to read the older active license file stored in the system's Library folder until it is manually updated or removed.
Will uninstalling Office 2019 delete my Word and Excel documents?
No. Uninstalling the Microsoft Office application files or clearing license data does not affect your personal documents, spreadsheets, or presentations saved on your Mac's hard drive.
How do I completely remove the old Office license from my Mac?
You can use the official Microsoft License Removal Tool for Mac. This utility automatically searches for and deletes all previous Office license files, allowing you to freshly activate your Office 2021 software upon the next launch.
Can I run both Office 2019 and Office 2021 on the same Mac?
No, it is not recommended or easily possible to run both versions simultaneously. They share the same system folders, containers, and library files, which typically causes version conflicts and persistent activation errors.
