Fix: This Copy of Microsoft Office Is Not Activated (2025 Guide)

Seeing the “This copy of Microsoft Office is not activated” message? This error appears when your Office license can’t be verified or has expired. Here’s how to fix activation issues in Word, Excel, or Outlook – step by step.

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Step 1: Check Your Microsoft Account

• Open any Office app (like Word)
• Go to File > Account
• Check if your Microsoft account is listed under “Product Information”

If not signed in, select Sign In and use the account linked to your Office purchase.

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Step 2: Run Office Activation Troubleshooter

• Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter
• Go to Programs > Programs and Features
• Select your Office version > Change > Quick Repair
• If that doesn’t work, choose Online Repair

This resets the license system and reactivates Office.

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Step 3: Verify Product Key or Subscription

Depending on your Office type:

• Office 365: Ensure your subscription is active at account.microsoft.com
• Office 2019/2021: Confirm your product key hasn’t been used on too many devices
• Retail Boxed Version: If reinstalled, you may need to re-enter the key

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Step 4: Disable VPN or Firewall (Temporarily)

Office needs access to Microsoft’s activation servers. Try:

• Disconnecting from any VPN
• Temporarily turning off your firewall or antivirus
• Restarting Office and attempting activation again

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Step 5: Use Command Prompt to Reactivate

For advanced users:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run this command: bashCopyEditcscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /act (Update path if using a different Office version)

This will trigger a forced activation attempt via the built-in tool.

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Step 6: Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above works, your key may be blocked or your account needs verification. Visit Microsoft Support or use the Office Activation Wizard for direct help.

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FAQs

Why does Office say it’s not activated?
Your license may be expired, not linked to your account, or being used on too many devices.

Can I still use Office without activation?
Yes, but features will be limited to read-only mode after the grace period.

What if I bought a key from a third-party site?
It may be invalid or already used. Microsoft only supports keys from authorized retailers.

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Final Tip

Always sign into Office using the Microsoft account you used to purchase it. This links your license and avoids future activation errors.