Fix Windows User Switching Changed After Microsoft 365 Update

Launch Microsoft Word on your computer, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side of the screen. Verify whether it lists a perpetual license (e.g., Office Professional 2021) or a Microsoft 365 Subscription.

If the product shows as unlicensed or prompts you to renew a subscription, you will need to sign in with the Microsoft account tied to your original perpetual license to remove the promotional banners.

Close or minimize Microsoft Word and any other running applications so you are looking only at the Windows desktop.

Press 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete' on your keyboard and select 'Switch User'. Observe the interface. If this screen has changed, it is the result of a Windows OS update, not Microsoft 365.

Reopen Word and look at the very top of the window (the title bar). If the new elements (like user names or cloud icons) are located here, this is a standard Office application update rather than a Windows OS change.