This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve Office Activation & common Office Application based problems, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience with Microsoft Office & its applications. We have published this article because we receive millions of Microsoft Office related complaints every year from our million subscribers world-wide. Software corruption and Windows image integrity are critical aspects to consider when dealing with Microsoft Office issues on a Windows environment. Many users face various problems such as Installation errors, Activation errors, Performance issues, Application flaws and Compatibility problems. These issues often stem from software corruption within the Windows environment and one of the primary reasons for these Office related issues, which can lead to a weird behavior of applications with various deformities. Additionally, compatibility issues between Microsoft Office applications and the Windows operating system can also arise due to security conflicts or Windows image integrity issues. To ensure a smooth and efficient experience with Microsoft Office applications, it is essential to troubleshoot and resolve these common problems with an effective solution. By addressing software corruption and ensuring pure Windows image integrity, users can overcome these challenges and maintain a seamless workflow.
Microsoft Office is an essential suite of applications used by millions of people worldwide. However, users often encounter various issues as described above. These issues can be frustrating and disruptive to productivity. Fortunately, there is common solution to address these problems, with a focus on eliminating software corruption and maintaining Windows image integrity.
General Disclaimer: This article includes deep troubleshooting in Windows Environment including the registry troubleshooting. We request you to backup all your personal files, bookmarks, and data files on MS Outlook before we proceed with a troubleshooting described. Once the files are deleted, we would not be able to recover them afterwards. The troubleshooting described should be performed precisely, any incorrect troubleshooting step may lead to a fatal in the Windows environment.
Registry disclaimer: Please be clear that serious problems might occur if we modify the registry incorrectly and please ensure that you follow these steps carefully. It is recommended that you back-up Windows registry before proceeding with Windows Registry editor. Therefore, we can always restore Windows registry if something goes wrong during the stated operation. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, please refer a link mentioned below.
How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support
Whether you need assistance with resolving Microsoft Office Issues or Applications Flaws on a Mac OS, please refer an article mentioned below.
Fix Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365 Application Flaws on Mac OS - Microsoft Community
There are six major assignments to resolve CRITICAL issues with Microsoft Office.
Perform a manual uninstallation of Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 program.
Remove its association with the Program files & Program data and User profiles in the base drive.
Removal of logical group of keys and subkeys concerning Office and its applications from the listed hives as described below.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
HKEY_USERS
Removal of applications concerning to unwanted software or unnecessary security suites.
Repair Windows Image followed by a Windows repair upgrade.
Reinstall Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 on your machine.
Therefore, before we proceed with the troubleshooting plan listed below, we need to ensure that a troubleshooting order should be performed the way it is described for resolving critical issues.
Manual uninstallation of Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365
A Manual Uninstallation of Office includes the removal of Office applications along with its traces in the base drive and its hold in the Windows registry environment. Please refer the hyperlink for performing a manual rip for Office suite.
The second thing we need to ensure that we uninstall all versions of Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 from a machine. It has been observed that machines often come with preinstalled versions of Microsoft Office/365 offered by manufacturers; additional to what we install based on a subscribed program. On the other hand, a machine can also hold old traces of previous versions of Microsoft Office on Windows, which may have been a part of an operating system in concern.
We can run SARA (Support and Recovery Assistant) tool and proceed with uninstallation all previous versions ever installed on a machine [If applicable]. On the other hand, there are two significant places where these products are installed as listed below.
Control Panel >> Programs & Features >> Uninstall or change a program [List].
Settings >> Apps >> Installed Apps
Removal of Office files from the System/Base drive [C:\]
Delete Microsoft Office or its sub folder(s) from Program Files, Program files(x86) and from Program Data. Please be informed that ‘Program Data’ folder is one of the hidden folders listed under the system drive, please refer View hidden files and folders in Windows - Microsoft Support link for viewing hidden folders using File Explorer in Windows.
After deleting the Microsoft Office folders from the above listed locations in the base drive, we then need to access ‘Users’ folder in the same system drive and access the main user account; often referred as the ‘User Account/Administrator’ then access ‘AppData’ and delete ‘Microsoft Office/Office and its application files/folders from ‘Local’ and ‘Roaming’ folders as described in the image mentioned below.
Additionally, if you observe any ‘Assorted folders’ and ‘Absurd folders’ in the base drive as referred in the article Repair Windows Image and Kernel Operations in Windows 10/11, it is crucial to purge those folders because those type of folders are often the major reasons of a Windows image corruption.
Removal of Office keys from the Windows Registry hives/roots as listed below.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1546320600-2724770825-3455063024-1002\Software\Microsoft\Office
When we explorer each hive roots as listed above, there is a possibility that we can’t delete Office keys especially from the hive roots mentioned beneath, in-such scenarios we can delete their subs keys except ‘Normal’ and proceed with next steps.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office
On the other hand, if we find different root values under the hive ‘HKEY_USERS’ other the values listed above, it is normal, and we can proceed with deleting the Office keys listed under the Software\Microsoft root keys under the same ‘HKEY_USERS’ hive roots.
Whether the case is associated or limited to a specific Office application, we need to ensure that we delete the specific application keys from the hive ‘HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT’. In other words, when we encounter any application deformity or feature related flaws, it is essential to delete their keys the hive listed below.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Repair & Clean Windows image, System files and Performance
We all install multiple software and most of us keep multiple software even after they have not been in use for years. It has been observed, if we do not use bizarre software for years, they create applications flaws because of various reasons, such as lack of updates or lack of renewability. Similarly, most of us install free security software, cleaner, defragmenters and registry cleaners, which further create registry flaws because of lack of reliability and software conflicts. It is advised to uninstall all unwanted software, remove their traces from the base drive and delete their keys from the Windows registry.
Please refer the article Repair Windows Image and Kernel Operations in Windows 10/11 for an in-depth information on removing software flaws from the base drive and from the Windows registry.
Software corruption is a significant cause of many Microsoft Office issues. Corruption can occur due to various reasons, including improper installation, application glitches, malware infections, and system crashes. When software becomes corrupted, it can lead to erratic behavior, application crashes, and sometimes data loss. To address software corruption, users can take the following steps:
Run a Microsoft Defender Offline Scan: Use a Windows Defender Offline Scane to scan the system for malware. It removes any detected threats offline which can help prevent further corruption. Please navigate to offline scan by following steps mentioned below.
Go to: Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Windows Security >> Virus & Threat Protection >> Scan options >> Windows Defender Offline scan.
Update Software: We need to ensure that Microsoft Office and the Windows operating system are up to date. Software updates often include bug fixes and security patches that can resolve corruption issues.
Use System Restore: If the corruption occurred recently, users can use the System Restore feature to revert the system to a previous state before the corruption occurred.
Reinstate Windows Image Integrity
Windows image integrity is another critical aspect to consider when dealing with Microsoft Office issues. The Windows image is a snapshot of the operating system that includes all installed applications and settings. If the Windows image becomes corrupted, it can lead to various problems, including compatibility issues and system instability. To maintain Windows image integrity, users can follow these steps:
Run the System File Checker (SFC): The SFC tool scans the system for corrupted files and replaces them with the correct versions. To run SFC, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type ‘sfc /scannow’.
Use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM): DISM can repair a corrupted Windows image. To use DISM, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type ‘DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth’.
Then, perform a Disk Cleanup and Check disk scan by running Command Prompt as an administrator and type ‘CHKDSK /f’ and type ‘Y’ later when prompted to proceed with the stated disk check.
Restart the machine.
Perform a Windows Repair/In-place Upgrade
Finally, perform an In-place upgrade or a Repair Upgrade. This will ensure that your Windows machine is free from any disintegration.
Reinstall Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365
Reinstall Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 suite by downloading it from your Microsoft account listed under Services and Subscriptions.
The above stated plan should resolve issues with Office activation, or any random applications flaws if followed the steps correctly. Whether you find it hard to perform above mentioned troubleshooting and need assistance, please refer a link mentioned below.
Contact Us - Microsoft Support
This article was published on Monday, October 14th, 2024, 0157 Central Daylight Time.