How to revert to Office 2021

Question

How to revert to Office 2021

MClark 25

I have an office 2021 Home & Business 2021 for mac license. Yesterday when I opened a document it said it was Read-only because I did not have a 365 account. I ran the License Removal tool and it did not revert to my 2021 license. I tried uninstalling everything and clearing the cache data and reinstalling. When I downloaded the package under my subscription tab it states it is the 2021 license but the installer says Office 365. After install when I try to login it says no 365 account found.

Why did my 2021 license suddenly stop working and how do I revert it again after trying everything I could find?

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Answer 1

EmilyS_726 34,015 Volunteer Moderator

Please uninstall your Office apps.

Then install this slightly older version 16.114: https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/mro1cdnstorage/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.114.26101123_BusinessPro_Installer.pkg?atp=ets

After that, open any Office app, such as Word or Excel. From the top menu, select Help > Check for Updates. When Microsoft AutoUpdate opens, uncheck Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date, then confirm by clicking Turn Off.

That should work.

MClark 25 Reputation points

2026-10-24T21:32:06.9+00:00

Thank you. The issue seems to be whenever I open an Office App after trying this it says No License Found. I have confirmed on the Microsoft website I can see the 2021 license in my subscriptions so it is the right email address. But whenever I uninstall and install Office, through my license download, or the one you provided, it still says No License Found.
EmilyS_726 34,015 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-24T21:45:32.3933333+00:00

Don't install from your account. You need to install the very specific version I gave you in my link. The problem is the latest version 16.114.1, this is why I am asking you to install 16.114, these are two different versions.
MClark 25 Reputation points

2026-10-25T07:01:30.8466667+00:00

Thank you. I uninstalled office and installed from the link three times. It appears to be working now.
Luka 0 Reputation points

2026-10-28T05:10:43.6633333+00:00

EmilyS, i used you link but it downloads & installs the most recent MS-360 suite of apps. Can you repost the older version 16.114?
bill buist 0 Reputation points

2026-10-28T17:18:18.74+00:00

Many thanks that worked from your link above though I did have to carefully follow instructions elsewhere on removing the Office 365 and its various bits first, really frustrating that Microsoft does this when you have paid outright to buy Office, I'm just a small home user and don't need anything other that basic Excel & Word