Apps Activation Remedy – Windows

July 19, 2019 | by iaur | posted as Apps, Microsoft 365

Scenario:

• User is not able activate Word, Excel, etc.,
• Read-Only when opening desktop apps

Pre-defined Check List:

• Check installed Office client (ProPlus or Business)

• Soft Reset IE (Internet Explorer) to refresh Microsoft traffic  (all MSFT application traverse its traffic to IE/Edge regardless of the browser used)
  1. Please confirm if the TLS 1.0 or previous is unchecked and try to toggle on and off 1.2 (in the internet option > security settings.)
     • https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/17441/windows-internet-explorer-change-reset-settings
  2. Reset IE :https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/17441/windows-internet-explorer-change-reset-settings
  3. Clear caches in General tab > Delete
     • https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/17438/windows-internet-explorer-view-delete-browsing-history
  4. Repair IE
     • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4013567/how-to-disable-internet-explorer-on-windows

• Removed Office cached credential
  1. Credential Manager > Windows Credential > Delete cached credential named  MicrosoftOfficeXX.X or MicrosoftOfficeAdal
     • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/activation/reset-office-365-proplus-activation-state#step-3-remove-the-stored-credentials-in-credential-manager
  2. Windows + R
  3. Type & Enter :  rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr
  4. Delete Cache credential: MicrosoftOfficeXX.X or MicrosoftOfficeAdal

From:< https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/activation/reset-office-365-proplus-activation-state#step-3-remove-the-stored-credentials-in-credential-manager>

• Disconnect organization account (Windows 10)

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Access work or school.
4. Choose only the account that has the Microsoft Logo
5. Click the Disconnect button.

• Refresh Network\Bypass local DNS

    a.  > Open Network and Sharing Center
    b.  > Click on "Change Adapter Settings"
    c.  > double-click on the network the Cx is connected to
    d.  > Click on Properties
    e.  > Uncheck the IPv6
    f.  > Double-click on the IPv4
    g.  > On the DNs server address add the 8.8.8.8
    h.  >On the Alternate DNs server address add the 8.8.4.4
    i.  > Click SAVE
    j.  > Flush DNS cache : CMD > ipconfig /flushdns
    k.  > Reset Network adapters  CMD > netsh winsock reset

• Turn off AV and Windows\Network Firewall
• Sign out of the Office applications
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sign-out-of-office-5a20dc11-47e9-4b6f-945d-478cb6d92071#:~:text=In%20any%20Office%20app%2C%20go,Close%20all%20Office%20apps

• Remove the Identities folder from the Registry
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity\Identities and deleted the “Identities” folder
  • Or Delete both of the following entries:
    • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity
    • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Registration
  • Delete your License Data
    • Delete the following folder and all of its contents
      • %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Licensing

• Go to the registry hive below and delete configuration folder

local machine>software>microsoft>office>clicktorun>configuration

• Run the scripts mentioned in below by running the command prompt as an administrator

Office 2016:    32x
============
cscript.exe "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /dstatus
cscript.exe "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /unpkey:XXXX

Office 2016:    64x
============
cscript.exe "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /dstatus

• Automated Script: OLicenseCleanup

From <https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/odsupport/2015/05/01/how-to-reset-an-office-365-install-to-the-initial-activationinstall-state/>

• Create new Test profile and activate office from there
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-local-user-or-administrator-account-in-windows-10-20de74e0-ac7f-3502-a866-32915af2a34d