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Switch Office for Mac to a New Business Account (Keep Outlook Settings)
Question details
The user wants to transition their Office for Mac applications from an old business account to a new one without losing any Outlook data.
- Product
- Office for Mac, Outlook for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Changing the underlying Microsoft 365 business account license on a Mac that already has configured Outlook profiles.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to remove the old license and log in with the new one, but Mac lacks the built-in 'Change License' button found in Windows versions, causing concerns over potential data loss during the transition.
Before proceeding with license removal, it is highly recommended to export your Outlook data (emails, contacts, and calendars) to an .olm archive file as a precautionary backup.
Use the Microsoft License Removal Tool for Mac
Since Office for Mac does not have a built-in account switcher, you must use the official license removal tool to clear the old credentials safely.
The license removal tool strips the previous business account activation files from your Mac without uninstalling the actual Office applications.
Because your Outlook profiles, email signatures, and mailbox configurations are stored in a separate hidden user directory on your Mac, they will remain completely intact after the license removal.
Visit the official Microsoft Support website, search for the 'license removal tool for Mac', and download the provided .pkg file.
Open the downloaded .pkg file. Follow the on-screen installation prompts and click 'Install' to execute the script that clears your current license data. You will need to enter your Mac administrator password.
Once the tool finishes, open any Office application, such as Microsoft Word or Excel. You will immediately be prompted to sign in. Enter the credentials for your new business account to activate the software.
Launch Outlook for Mac. Your profiles, signatures, and mailboxes should load normally since the removal tool bypasses your user data directory.
Try WPS Office for Mac – A Lightweight & Compatible Alternative
If managing Microsoft Office licenses, complex removal tools, and subscriptions becomes too tedious, consider switching to WPS Office for Mac. It is a free, lightweight suite that natively handles document creation without the hassle of restrictive account bindings.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Go to the official WPS website and download the installer tailored for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded file, drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder, and launch the suite.
- 3. Start Creating: Open, edit, and save your existing Office files instantly without worrying about complex license transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing the Office license delete my Outlook emails and signatures?
No. The license removal tool only deletes the activation files associated with the Microsoft account. Your Outlook emails, profiles, and signatures are securely stored in a separate hidden directory (~/Library/Group Containers) and will remain unaffected.
Why can't I just click 'Change License' in Office for Mac?
Unlike some Windows versions of Office, Office for Mac currently does not feature a built-in 'Change License' button in the account settings. You must clear the existing license files using the official removal tool before authenticating a new account.
Do I need to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office to switch accounts?
No, uninstalling the entire Office suite is unnecessary. Running the license removal tool is sufficient to clear the old business account details and prompt a fresh sign-in upon relaunching the apps.
