How to Remove Office License Files on a Mac Easily

If you’re experiencing issues with your Microsoft Office activation, such as license errors or needing to switch accounts, removing the license files on your Mac can help resolve these problems. This process resets your Office activation status, allowing you to re-activate Office or troubleshoot license-related issues effectively. Before proceeding, ensure you have your Office account credentials handy, as you may need to sign back in after removal. Additionally, it’s recommended to back up any important Office documents before making changes to license files to prevent accidental data loss.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac computer with administrative access
• Microsoft Office installed (preferably Office 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365)
• Your Office account credentials (email and password)
• Access to Finder and Terminal applications
• Optional: Backup of your Office files and license information

Step-by-Step

1. Close all Microsoft Office applications to ensure no processes interfere with the removal process.
2. Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Locate and open the Microsoft Office folder if available.
3. In Finder, go to the Go menu at the top of the screen and select “Go to Folder…” (or press Shift + Command + G).
4. Type in the following path and press Enter:

   /Library/Preferences/

5. Locate and delete the file named com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist. To do this, right-click the file and select “Move to Trash.”
6. Next, go back to the Go to Folder dialog and enter:

   /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Licenses

   and press Enter.

7. In the Licenses folder, delete all files present. These files contain your license information and removing them resets your Office activation.
8. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the license files.
9. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and run the following command to reset the license status:

   sudo /Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft/Office/OfficeFileValidationTool.app/Contents/MacOS/OfficeFileValidationTool --reset

   (Note: You may need to enter your administrator password.)

10. Reopen any Office application, such as Word or Excel. You should see a prompt to sign in or activate Office.
11. Sign in using your Office or Microsoft account credentials to re-activate Office.

Common Mistakes

• Not closing Office applications before deleting license files, which can prevent the removal process from completing correctly.
• Deleting incorrect files or folders, risking system or Office functionality issues.
• Forgetting to empty the Trash after deleting license files, which leaves old license data on your system.
• Running Terminal commands incorrectly, which could cause unintended system changes or errors.
• Skipping backups of license files or important data, risking data loss if something goes wrong.

Tips

• Always back up license files and important documents before deleting anything related to Office licenses.
• Run Terminal commands carefully, double-checking syntax to avoid errors.
• Ensure all Office applications are fully closed before starting the removal process.
• If unsure, consult official Microsoft support or a professional before deleting system files.
• After re-activation, verify your Office license status in any Office app under Account > Product Information.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during or after removing Office license files, consider the following steps:

• Restart your Mac and try re-activating Office again.
• Ensure you are connected to the internet, as activation requires online validation.
• If Office still shows license errors, sign out of your Office account and sign back in.
• Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant for Mac to diagnose and fix activation issues.
• If problems persist, contact Microsoft Support for advanced assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I remove Office license files without reinstalling Office?

Yes, deleting license files resets your activation status, allowing you to reactivate Office without reinstalling the entire suite.

2. Will deleting license files delete my Office documents?

No, license files are separate from your documents. Your files remain safe on your Mac, but always back them up before making system changes.

3. How do I know if the license removal was successful?

After re-signing in, Office should prompt you to activate or show your license status as activated. If issues persist, re-try the process or contact support.

4. Can I do this on Office 365 or Microsoft 365?

Yes, the process applies to all versions of Office for Mac, including Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

5. Is it safe to delete system files related to Office licenses?

Deleting the specific license files as instructed is generally safe if you follow the guide carefully. Avoid deleting unrelated system files.

6. What should I do if Office still doesn’t activate after removing license files?

Ensure your internet connection is stable, sign out and back into your Office account, and consider contacting Microsoft Support for further help.

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