How do I stop the Microsoft Office activation wizard from popping up in Windows 11?

If you're a Windows 11 user who has installed Microsoft Office on your device, you may have noticed a recurring annoyance: the activation wizard. Every time you open one of the Office applications, you're prompted to activate your license, which can be frustrating, especially if you've already done so. In this blog post, we'll look at why the activation wizard appears and how to stop it from popping up in Windows 11.

Why does the activation wizard appear?

The activation wizard appears because Microsoft Office is designed to protect against software piracy. When you purchase Office, you receive a license key that allows you to activate your copy of the software. The activation wizard ensures that the license key is valid and that you have the right to use the software. However, even if you have a valid license key, the activation wizard can still appear if there are issues with your license, or if you have recently made changes to your device's hardware or software.

How to stop the activation wizard from popping up

There are several ways to stop the activation wizard from popping up in Windows 11. Here are some of the most effective methods:

Activate your license

If you haven't already activated your Office license, this is the first step you should take. Follow the instructions in the activation wizard to enter your license key and activate your software. Once you've done this, the activation wizard should no longer appear.

Repair your Office installation

If you have already activated your license but the activation wizard continues to appear, there may be issues with your Office installation. Try repairing your installation by following these steps:

Open the Start menu and search for "Control Panel."

Click on "Programs and Features" or "Add or Remove Programs" (depending on your version of Windows).

Find Microsoft Office in the list of programs, right-click on it, and select "Change" or "Repair."

Follow the prompts to repair your Office installation.

Disable Office updates

If you're using an older version of Office and have no plans to upgrade, you can disable Office updates to prevent the activation wizard from appearing. Here's how:

Open any Office application, such as Word or Excel.

Click on "File" in the top left corner.

Click on "Account" or "Office Account."

Click on "Update Options" and then "Disable Updates."

Use a different Office version

If you're using a trial version of Office or a version that came bundled with your device, you may want to consider upgrading to a different version. The activation wizard may be less prone to appear in newer versions of Office, or in versions that you purchase directly from Microsoft.

Disable the Office Licensing Service

Finally, if none of the above methods work, you can try disabling the Office Licensing Service. Here's how:

Open the Start menu and search for "Services."

Scroll down to find "Office Software Protection Platform Service."

Right-click on the service and select "Properties."

Under "Startup type," select "Disabled."

Click "OK" and restart your computer.

Conclusion

The activation wizard can be a frustrating and recurring issue for Windows 11 users who have installed Microsoft Office on their devices. However, there are several methods to stop it from popping up, including activating your license, repairing your Office installation, disabling Office updates, using a different version of Office, or disabling the Office Licensing Service. If you continue to have issues with the activation wizard, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for additional assistance.