Microsoft office

Hi, Microsoft no longer provides the Product Key (License Key) for Office post Office 2016. You can obtain the last 5 digits of the licence for Office 2019 and later version using Command Prompt.

1

Open Word.

At the top right of Word, log out of Office.

Restart (not shut down) your PC, then log back into Office, is your subscription then recognised correctly.

2

If not, log into your Microsoft account on this link, do you find an Office licence or subscription listed there, and if that is a subscription, check the expiry date listed on your subscription, is that listed correctly.

https://account.microsoft.com/services/

When Office can’t find a license on the computer, activation has failed and most features are disabled. Use these checks and fixes:

1. Confirm the correct account and license

• Open any Office app (for example, Word) and choose Sign in if prompted.
• Sign in with the same Microsoft account or work/school account that was used to buy or redeem Office.
• If the wrong account is used, Office shows messages like We couldn't find any Office products or No license found.
• In a browser, sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal or account dashboard and check that a valid Office product or Microsoft 365 subscription with desktop apps is assigned to the account. If no qualifying license is assigned, contact the administrator or use the correct account.

2. Fix common activation / “Unlicensed Product” issues

• If the title bar shows Unlicensed Product or Non-commercial use / Unlicensed Product, follow these steps:
  • Make sure the correct account is signed in, as above.
  • If activation still fails, uninstall Office using the Microsoft 365 Uninstall troubleshooter (on Windows 10 or later), restart the device, then reinstall the correct edition and bitness of Office that matches the license.

3. If the error is “Microsoft Office cannot verify the license for this product” This specific message often appears in Office 2013/2016 on Windows. Use both of these fixes:

A. Check the Software Protection Platform registry entry (advanced, Windows)

1. Select Start, type regedit, and open Registry Editor.
2. Go to: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
3. If SoftwareProtectionPlatform exists under CurrentVersion, skip to section B (compatibility mode).
4. If it does not exist:
   • On another device where Office works, open Registry Editor and export: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
   • Copy the exported .reg file to the problem device and Merge it.
5. On the problem device, in Registry Editor, go to: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
6. Right-click SoftwareProtectionPlatform > Permissions.
7. Ensure NETWORK SERVICE exists; if not, add it.
8. Select NETWORK SERVICE and allow Full control, then select Apply and OK.
9. Restart the device and try opening an Office app again.

B. Turn off compatibility mode for the Office app

1. Close the Office app that shows the license error.
2. In File Explorer, locate the app executable (for example, WINWORD.EXE, EXCEL.EXE, or OUTLOOK.EXE). Typical paths:
   • MSI-based:
     • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office1x
     • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office1x
   • Click-to-Run:
     • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office1x
     • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office1x (1x is 16 for Office 2016, 15 for Office 2013.)
3. Right-click the app > Properties.
4. If there is a Compatibility tab:
   • Clear Run this program in compatibility mode for.
   • Select Change settings for all users.
   • Again clear Run this program in compatibility mode for.
   • Select OK twice.
5. If there is no Compatibility tab:
   • Select Cancel to close Properties.
   • Right-click the app (for example, Outlook.exe) > Troubleshoot compatibility.
   • Select Troubleshoot Program.
   • Clear all options > Next.
   • Select No, I am done investigating the problem > Next > Close.
6. Start the Office app again and check activation.
7. Verify the installed Office edition matches the license

• Check which Microsoft 365 or Office product and license are assigned to the account.
• Ensure the installed Office edition and version match that license (for example, Microsoft 365 Apps vs. Office 2021, 32-bit vs. 64-bit).
• If a different edition/version is installed than what the license covers, uninstall using the Microsoft 365 Uninstall troubleshooter, restart, and then install the correct product from the account portal.

5. If using Office 2013 with old product keys

• If Office 2013 was previously activated and a product key conflict is suspected, use ospp.vbs from an elevated Command Prompt to list and remove existing product keys, then reactivate with the correct key, following the documented cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus procedure for the appropriate Office/Windows bitness.

If these steps do not restore activation, use the guided support for Office activation issues referenced below or contact the Microsoft 365/Office administrator for license verification.

References:

• "Microsoft Office cannot verify the license for this product" error when you start an Office app
• "Sorry, we can't connect to your account." error when you activate Office from Microsoft 365
• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: "The products we found in your account can't be used to activate"
• Office error "The products we found in your account can't be used to activate"
• I just bought Office for Home and Business and now "No license found" - Microsoft Q&A
• Excel is no longer registered and can't access some server so it won't let me save anything - Microsoft Q&A
• Office 2021 license does not work and ist not anymore in the portal listed - Microsoft Q&A
• No license associated with my email account - Microsoft Q&A
• Can't activate Office - Microsoft Q&A