sign in error code 0x800004005

Jack Redding 20 Reputation points
2026-02-16T16:36:37.9966667+00:00

I am getting an error message when trying to sign in to Microsoft 365 family. "Account Issue: The products we found in your account cannot be used to activate office in shared computer scenarios. Error code 0x800004005.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
Katerina-N 9,305 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-02-16T21:26:01.2033333+00:00

Hello Jack Redding,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

I realize that you've encountered a problem with signing in Word error code 0x800004005. I truly understand your confusion. Let me assist you further.

1. Reinstall Office normally (most effective)

Uninstall all Office apps, then reinstall from account.microsoft.com > Services & subscriptions. This removes Shared Computer Activation, which Microsoft 365 Family does not support.

  • Press Windows + I > Apps > Installed apps
  • Uninstall Microsoft 365 / Office
  • Restart the PC
  • Go to https://account.microsoft.com
  • Sign in with your personal Microsoft account (the one with Microsoft 365 Family)
  • Open Services & subscriptions
  • Click Install Office
  • Open Word > sign in again

Disclaimer: Before proceeding with any Office repair or troubleshooting steps, please make sure to back up all important files and data. Although these steps are generally safe, there is a small risk of data loss. I recommend saving your files to OneDrive or another secure location before continuing.

2. Make sure you’re not signing in with a work/school account

Microsoft 365 Family works only with a personal Microsoft account. A work/school sign‑in can trigger this error.

  • Open Word
  • Go to File > Account
  • Click Sign out
  • Close Word
  • Reopen Word
  • Sign in with a personal Microsoft account (NOT a work or school account)

3. Disable Shared Computer Licensing (advanced users)

If Office was deployed with shared mode enabled, turn it off (or reinstall without it). Family plans cannot activate while this setting is on.

  • Press Windows + R
  • Type regedit > Enter
  • Go to: 
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\Configuration
  • Find SharedComputerLicensing
  • Set value to 0 or delete it
  • Restart the PC
  • Open Word and sign in again

4. Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)

Microsoft’s official tool can detect and fix wrong activation modes or corrupted license tokens.

5. Create a single Windows user profile for Office use

Use Office only under one Windows account. Shared or multi‑user setups often cause this error with Family licenses.

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

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  1. AI answer

    2026-02-16T16:37:15.6233333+00:00

    The error code 0x800004005 indicates that there is an issue with the activation of Microsoft 365 in shared computer scenarios. This typically means that your Microsoft 365 plan does not support shared computer activation, or there may be a problem with the licensing token. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

    1. Check your Microsoft 365 Plan: Ensure that your plan includes Microsoft 365 Apps and supports shared computer activation.
    2. Sign in with the Correct Account: Make sure you are signing in with your work or school account, not a personal Microsoft account.
    3. Check License Assignment: Verify that you have been assigned the correct license for Microsoft 365 Apps. You can check this with your Microsoft 365 admin.
    4. Internet Connectivity: Ensure that the shared computer has internet connectivity, as this is required to obtain a licensing token.
    5. Run the Microsoft 365 Sign-in Troubleshooter: This tool can help identify and resolve sign-in issues. You can find it in the Get Help app.
    6. Restart the Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve activation issues.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consult your Microsoft 365 administrator or support for further assistance.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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