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How to Disconnect an Intune-Managed Device from Microsoft Office

Guest WriterGuest Writer Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a device's connection to an organization's Intune management and clear residual Office licensing data so a new user can sign in.

How to Disconnect an Intune-Managed Device from Microsoft Office
Product
Microsoft Office
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
Transferring a previously company-managed Windows device to a different user, which requires the complete removal of organizational identities and Office licenses.
Observed behavior
Even after disconnecting the work account in Windows Settings, Office applications like PowerPoint still display the previous organizational account as signed in, preventing a new user from accessing the software.
Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows device and have backed up any important personal files before attempting to clear Office licensing credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Your IT Administrator to Retire the Device

Intune management policies are enforced at the organization level; only an administrator can completely unenroll and remove the device from the tenant.

If a device is actively managed by Microsoft Intune, it remains under the control of the organization's tenant administrator. Local changes may be overwritten or restricted by administrative policies.

To permanently release the device, you must have the organization's IT department formally remove it from their system.

1
Contact IT Support

Reach out to your organization's IT support team or Intune administrator.

2
Request Device Retirement

Ask the administrator to 'Retire' or 'Delete' the device from the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.

3
Run Recovery Assistant

Once the device is retired on the backend, run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) to automatically clear any residual Office activation data.

Contact Your IT Administrator to Retire the Device
Administrator Action Required: Without the IT administrator retiring the device, local attempts to remove Intune policies may fail or re-sync upon connecting to the internet.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

Avoid complex licensing issues, lingering identity caches, and Intune management conflicts. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative that is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, allowing anyone to work on the device instantly.

  1. 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer to your device.
  2. 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions.
  3. 3. Start Creating Instantly: Open Writer, Spreadsheet, or Presentation and begin editing your documents without any organizational login barriers.
Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.No complex organizational licensing or Intune management restrictions.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on almost any Windows device.Familiar user interface for seamless and easy migration without a learning curve.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PowerPoint still say another account is signed in after I disconnected it in Settings?

Office applications cache licensing and identity tokens locally on your hard drive. Disconnecting your work account from Windows Settings does not automatically clear these cached credential files in directories like %localappdata%\Microsoft\IdentityCache.

Can I completely remove an Intune-managed device myself without an IT admin?

Generally, no. If the device was enrolled in strict corporate Intune policies, you cannot completely unenroll it locally. You must contact your organization's tenant administrator to 'Retire' or delete the device from their Endpoint Manager portal.

What is the OLicenseCleanup script?

The OLicenseCleanup script is a diagnostic tool provided by Microsoft designed to automate the removal of old Office licenses, clear cached identities, and reset registry keys, which allows a fresh account to sign in without facing previous organizational conflicts.