Microsoft has paused the rollout of optional Microsoft 365 update KB5002907 after reports that it caused licensing and installation problems on some PCs running Office 2016 or Office 2019.
The update was designed to repair outdated Microsoft 365 Apps installations that had fallen more than 90 days behind and were no longer receiving normal updates.
Instead, some affected systems reportedly ended up with Office appearing unlicensed, while a smaller number of users found that their Office installation had been removed entirely.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Update | KB5002907 |
| Type | Optional out of band update |
| Main purpose | Repair outdated Microsoft 365 Apps installations |
| Target systems | Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel installs more than 90 days out of date |
| Main problem | Office may appear unlicensed |
| Rare problem | Office may be removed |
| Automatic installation | No |
| Current status | Rollout paused |
| Affected Office versions mentioned | Office 2016 and Office 2019 |
KB5002907 was meant to repair outdated Microsoft 365 Apps
The update was released for Windows PCs where Microsoft 365 Apps had fallen more than 90 days behind.
It specifically targeted systems using the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel.
The goal was to bring those installations back into a supported state so they could resume receiving regular updates and move to a more current update channel.
KB5002907 was distributed through Windows Update, but it was not a Windows operating system update.
It was also not installed automatically.
You had to manually choose to install it.
Some Office installations became unlicensed
After installation, Microsoft began receiving reports of unexpected behavior on devices running Office 2016 and Office 2019.
One of the main problems is that Office can suddenly appear to be unlicensed.
That means users may be prompted to reactivate software they have already purchased.
Microsoft says affected users should reactivate their Office product using the normal Office activation process.
Some users reportedly lost Office completely
In rarer cases, the update caused Office to be removed.
Microsoft says users affected by this problem should reinstall their purchased copy of Office.
The company specifically mentions Office 2021, Office 2019, and Office 2016 in its recovery guidance.
The supplied material does not explain exactly why the repair process removed Office on some devices.
It only states that the issue occurred as part of the repair action applied by KB5002907.
Microsoft has stopped the rollout
Microsoft has now paused distribution of the update while it investigates.
The company said it is aware of the reports and will provide further customer guidance through its normal support channels.
That means KB5002907 should no longer continue reaching additional systems through the same rollout process for now.
If you have not installed the update, the safest approach based on the supplied material is to avoid manually installing it while Microsoft investigates.
What to do if your Office is affected
Microsoft provides different recovery steps depending on the problem.
If Office appears unlicensed, you should reactivate the product.
If Office has been removed, you should reinstall the version you purchased.
If the problem continues after those steps, Microsoft recommends contacting support and explaining both the issue and the troubleshooting already completed.
That should help support staff route the case appropriately.
The update was optional, which limits exposure
Because KB5002907 was not installed automatically, only users who manually selected it through Windows Update should be affected.
That reduces the number of potentially impacted systems compared with a mandatory update.
Even so, the failure is significant because the update was specifically intended to restore broken or outdated Microsoft 365 installations.
Instead, it created new problems on some devices.
For now, Microsoft has stopped the rollout while it investigates what went wrong and prepares additional guidance for affected Office users.
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