Can't get computer to switch licenses from Office 2021 to Office 2024

When Office does not switch from an older license (Office 2021) to Office 2024 even though the account shows Office 2024 is available, use these steps depending on what you see in the apps.

1. Confirm Office 2024 is actually installed and licensed to the correct account

• Open any Office app (for example, Word).
• Go to File > Account.
• Under Product Information, check which product name is shown.
  • If it still shows an earlier version (for example, Office 2021) even though Office 2024 is associated with the same Microsoft account, follow the “Office 2024 may appear as an earlier version” fix below.

2. Fix the case where Office 2024 appears as Office 2021 in Account (Backstage) If the Microsoft account has both Office 2024 and an earlier version (such as Office 2021), the app can continue to show the earlier version even after installing Office 2024.

First, install the latest Office updates:

• Follow the steps in Install Office updates from the article “Office 2024 may appear as an earlier version of Office in the app backstage”.
• After updating, restart the Office app and check File > Account > Product Information again.

If it still shows Office 2021:

• Close all Office apps.
• In Windows, open File Explorer and go to:
  • %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Office\Licenses
• Delete the folder named "5" in that directory.
• Start any Office app.
• Sign in with the Microsoft account that has the Office 2024 license and, when prompted, select Office 2024 from the available Office list.
• Go to File > Account and confirm Office 2024 now appears under Product Information.

3. If switching from Microsoft 365 to a one-time Office license If Microsoft 365 (subscription or trial) is still installed, it can block proper activation of a one-time Office license and cause wrong product information or key errors.

In that case:

• Run the Office uninstall troubleshooter to remove Microsoft 365/older Office:
  1. Use the Uninstall tool from the “Can’t switch from Microsoft 365 to Office” article.
  2. Follow the prompts and restart the computer when asked.
• Then reinstall the desired Office version (including Office 2024) using the appropriate steps from the same article.

4. If Office activation is blocked due to device/activation limits If Office 2024 is a one-time purchase (for example, Office Home & Business 2024) and has already been activated on another device, activation on a new or reset device can fail with a “maximum number of activations” type message.

In that scenario:

• Follow the transfer rules in the Activate Office after reinstalling or installing on a different device article:
  1. Install Office on the new device.
  2. Use Activate by telephone as described there.
  3. Uninstall Office from the original device once activation is completed on the new one.

If these steps are followed and the product still will not switch to Office 2024, contact Microsoft support using the contact options referenced in the Office 2024 backstage article.

References:

• Office 2024 may appear as an earlier version of Office in the app backstage
• Can’t switch from Microsoft 365 to Office
• Activate Office after reinstalling or installing on a different device