How to Remove License Key from Office 2013, 2016, or 2019 Using CMD
If you’re looking to remove the license key from Office 2013, 2016, or 2019 using CMD, it’s likely because you’re switching licenses, deactivating the software on a machine, or simply trying to resolve licensing errors. Microsoft provides tools that make this possible via the Command Prompt, offering a clean and effective way to manage license keys without the need for complex software.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove the license key from these versions of Office using the Command Prompt.
Understanding Office Licensing System
Microsoft Office relies on a product activation system, which requires entering a valid license key to verify ownership and use. This license key is linked to your copy of Office and validates the product’s authenticity with Microsoft’s servers. However, there are situations when you might need to remove the license key:
- Switching to a different Office version
- Transferring the license to a new computer
- Deactivating Office from a retired system
By using CMD (Command Prompt), you can remove these keys without accessing the Office user interface, ensuring that the license is fully disassociated from your machine.
Reasons to Remove a License Key
There are several reasons why users may want to remove their Office license key. Some common scenarios include:
- Upgrading to a new version of Office: When moving from Office 2013 to Office 2019, for instance, you may want to clear the previous license to avoid conflicts.
- Selling or donating your PC: If you’re transferring ownership of your device, removing the license ensures that your personal Office key isn’t passed on.
- Troubleshooting license issues: Sometimes, license conflicts arise, particularly with volume licenses or if you’ve activated multiple versions of Office on one machine.
In these cases, removing the key is a simple way to clear the system of any activation errors and prepare for reinstallation or reactivation.
Using CMD to Remove License Key
Using CMD is one of the most effective ways to manage Office licenses because it allows you to interact directly with the Office Software Protection Platform (OSPP). This built-in system can help you manage your license keys, check current license status, and remove keys.
Preparing to Use CMD
Before diving into the Command Prompt, there are a few prerequisites:
- Administrative rights: Ensure that you have administrator access to the computer, as you will need these privileges to manage Office licenses.
- Locate your Office installation path: The command you’ll run will depend on where Office is installed. Typically, Office is installed in one of these directories:
- For 32-bit Office on a 64-bit system:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX
- For 64-bit Office:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX
- For 32-bit Office on a 64-bit system:
The “XX” in the directory name represents the version number (for Office 2013 it’s “15”, for 2016 it’s “16”, and for 2019 it’s “17”).
Navigating to the Office Installation Folder
Once you’ve located the correct installation folder, open Command Prompt as an administrator:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Use the cd command to navigate to the Office installation folder. For example:cmd
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16"
Checking the Current License Information
Before removing the license, it’s a good idea to check the current activation status. This helps you confirm which license is active and ready to be removed. To check the current license information, run the following command:
cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus
This command will display the license status, showing the last five characters of the installed product key. It’s helpful in confirming the exact key you want to remove, especially if multiple licenses are associated with the installation.
Removing the License Key Using OSPP.VBS
The Office Software Protection Platform (OSPP.VBS) is the tool that helps manage Office license keys. Once you’re sure of the key you want to remove, follow these steps:
To remove the Office license key, type the following command:
cmdcscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:XXXXX
Replace XXXXX with the last five characters of the product key you retrieved earlier. This removes the specified product key from your system.
Wait for the command to execute, and you should receive confirmation that the key has been uninstalled.
Verifying License Removal
After removing the license key, it’s important to verify that no active license remains. To do this, run the license status command again:
cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus
If the license has been successfully removed, the output should indicate that no product key is installed. Alternatively, if you had multiple keys installed, it will show the status of the remaining keys.
Handling Multiple Licenses
If you have multiple versions of Office installed (for instance, Office 2016 and Office 2019), you’ll need to repeat the process for each version. Ensure you’re navigating to the correct installation folder for each version and check the status of each license individually.
Dealing with Errors
If you encounter errors during the process, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
- Ensure you’re using administrative privileges: Without admin rights, CMD won’t allow you to modify system files or license data.
- Confirm the correct installation path: If you’re in the wrong directory, the OSPP.VBS tool may not run properly.
- Check for file corruption: Occasionally, corrupted Office files can interfere with license removal. In this case, running sfc /scannow may help repair system files.
Re-Activating Office After License Removal
Once the old license key is removed, you can reactivate Office with a new key or sign in with a different Microsoft account, depending on your new licensing method. Simply launch an Office application (Word, Excel, etc.), and you will be prompted to enter a new product key or activate via your Microsoft account.
Impact of License Removal
Removing the license key will revert Office to a limited functionality mode. You’ll still be able to open documents, but editing, saving, and creating new documents will be disabled until a new license is applied.
Conclusion
Removing the license key from Office 2013, 2016, or 2019 using CMD is a straightforward process that helps in managing activations, switching between licenses, or resolving license conflicts. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily clear an old product key and prepare your system for a new activation, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted access to Microsoft Office.