Installed Office 2024 on my Mac, Word still thinks I have 2019 and Does Not Work

Question

Installed Office 2024 on my Mac, Word still thinks I have 2019 and Does Not Work

George Master 0

I just downloaded and installed Office 2024 Home Version on my Mac (version 16.1114.2). But Word does not work. I think that I had version 2019 previously is messing things up, (unless Word 2024 is a lousy app) I first downloaded the new Office and installed it, but then learned that I had to remove all MS apps (as well as the supporting applications) and did so. But, even after reinstalling Office 2024, I still cannot use Word. Now, I am not sure my Office install was registered. When I clicked on the key on the lower left when I opened Word it led me to a window to "subscribe" to 365 which is something I want to avoid. Help.

John Jefferson Doyon 90,835 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-27T20:31:42.45+00:00
Hi, @George Master

To help narrow down the issue:

Where did you purchase the license? Was it from the Microsoft website or a third-party seller?

What is the exact product name you bought?

Can you also check this: https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in. Do you see the specific product license listed there?

Thanks!
George Master 0 Reputation points

2026-10-27T20:49:59.77+00:00

John, thank you for responding. (It's kinda lonely out here as far a Microsoft is concerned.) To cut to the chase, after finding and using Microsoft's License Removal Tool (twice) I was able to reinstall Office 2024 which I purchase from Indigo Software. After all this I noticed that the apps took more time to install, and when I opened the Word app lo and behold there appeared (over top of my name on the left-hand side) a clickable "button" to register my purchase which had not been there when I installed previously. I then tested an existing document and voila it worked! So, all is good and working. And, I sincerely appreciate your getting back to me.
John Jefferson Doyon 90,835 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-27T21:06:44.02+00:00

I'm glad you got Office 2024 working and can open your documents again. Thanks for sharing what worked. It may also help other users experiencing the same activation issue.

Have a great day!

1 answer

Your answer

John Jefferson Doyon 90,835 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-27T20:31:42.45+00:00

Hi, @George Master

To help narrow down the issue:

Where did you purchase the license? Was it from the Microsoft website or a third-party seller?

What is the exact product name you bought?

Can you also check this: https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in. Do you see the specific product license listed there?

Thanks!
George Master 0 Reputation points

2026-10-27T20:49:59.77+00:00

John, thank you for responding. (It's kinda lonely out here as far a Microsoft is concerned.) To cut to the chase, after finding and using Microsoft's License Removal Tool (twice) I was able to reinstall Office 2024 which I purchase from Indigo Software. After all this I noticed that the apps took more time to install, and when I opened the Word app lo and behold there appeared (over top of my name on the left-hand side) a clickable "button" to register my purchase which had not been there when I installed previously. I then tested an existing document and voila it worked! So, all is good and working. And, I sincerely appreciate your getting back to me.
John Jefferson Doyon 90,835 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-27T21:06:44.02+00:00

I'm glad you got Office 2024 working and can open your documents again. Thanks for sharing what worked. It may also help other users experiencing the same activation issue.

Have a great day!

Answer 1

This usually means the Mac still has an older Office 2019 license or app state conflicting with Office 2024.

Try this in order:

Remove the old Office license files on the Mac
- Run the License Removal Tool.
- This is the recommended step when upgrading from Office 2019 for Mac to Office 2024 for Mac.
- After it finishes, open an Office app and sign in with the account associated with the new Office purchase.
Do not use the Mac App Store version for a one-time Office 2024 license
- The Mac App Store Office apps are the latest Microsoft 365 apps and are not compatible with Office 2019 licenses.
- For a perpetual one-time purchase such as Office Home 2024 for Mac, install Office directly from Microsoft, not from the Mac App Store.
Reinstall Office from Microsoft if needed
- Close Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- In Finder > Applications, move the Office apps to Trash.
- Reinstall using the Microsoft installer package for Office for Mac.
- When installation completes, open Word and sign in with the account tied to the Office 2024 purchase so activation can complete.
Check that the install is activated with the correct account
- Office 2024 needs internet access for the initial install and activation.
- If activation does not complete, apps can go into reduced functionality mode or show an unlicensed product state.
Update after activation
- In any Office app, select Help > Check for Updates.

Important details for this scenario:

Upgrading from Office 2019 for Mac to Office 2024 for Mac does not require removing the Office apps first; removing the existing Office 2019 license is the key step.
If Word is prompting to subscribe to Microsoft 365, that points to a licensing mismatch rather than Word itself being defective.