How to Restore Microsoft Office License After macOS Big Sur Update
Question details
The user's Microsoft Office applications stopped working and unexpectedly prompted for a Microsoft 365 subscription after upgrading a MacBook to macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Attempting to use previously purchased perpetual Office applications after performing a major macOS system upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Office applications no longer recognize the perpetual license and appear to require a monthly or annual Microsoft 365 subscription to function.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account originally used to purchase or register your perpetual Office for Mac license.
Reinstall the Licensed Office Version from Your Microsoft Account
Use your Microsoft account to verify your perpetual license and download the correct installer that is compatible with macOS Big Sur.
Major macOS updates can sometimes disrupt application license files or render older 32-bit versions of Office completely incompatible. If you own a perpetual license (one-time purchase), you do not need to pay for a subscription. You can restore your access by downloading the correct installer directly from Microsoft.
Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft account 'Services & subscriptions' page. Log in with the exact email address associated with your original Office purchase.
Scroll through your account dashboard to find your specific version of Office for Mac (such as Office 2016 or Office 2019) under the 'Products you've purchased' section.
Click the 'Install' button next to your perpetual license. This will download the specific installation package that is authorized for your account and compatible with your system.
Run the downloaded installer on your Mac. Once the installation is complete, open any Office application like Word or Excel. When prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software, and carefully avoid clicking any options to start a Microsoft 365 trial.
Try WPS Office for Mac as a Seamless Free Alternative
If your older version of Microsoft Office is no longer compatible with macOS Big Sur and you want to avoid paying for a new subscription, WPS Office provides a fully compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative for your Mac.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed specifically for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder to complete the installation.
- 3. Open your existing files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without losing any formatting or data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Microsoft Office disappear after the macOS Big Sur update?
Major macOS upgrades can sometimes move incompatible 32-bit applications to a disabled folder or clear application cache files. If you were using an older 32-bit version of Office, macOS Big Sur cannot run it, making it appear as though the software disappeared.
How do I know if my Office license is a perpetual version or a subscription?
You can verify your license type by logging into your Microsoft account online and visiting the 'Services & subscriptions' page. Perpetual licenses are typically listed under a section called 'Products you've purchased' as a one-time purchase, rather than an active subscription.
Can I restore my Office license without my original product key?
Yes, if your product key was previously linked to your Microsoft account during the initial setup, you no longer need the physical key. You can reinstall and activate Office simply by signing in with that specific Microsoft account.
Will I lose my existing documents if I reinstall Office for Mac?
No, your personal Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations are saved locally on your Mac's hard drive or on your cloud storage. Reinstalling the Office applications will not delete or modify your personal files.
