Microsoft Pauses KB5002907 Update Due to Office License Deactivation Issues

Microsoft halts distribution of KB5002907 update following reports of Office license disruptions

Background of KB5002907

Microsoft has suspended the deployment of the KB5002907 update for Microsoft 365 after users indicated that the patch caused deactivation or complete removal of perpetual Office 2016 and Office 2019 installations. The update, designated as “Optional update for out-of-date Microsoft 365 Apps installations,” was intended to address systems with Microsoft 365 Apps that had not been updated for over 90 days. According to the release notes, the update targets Windows devices using the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel and aims to restore automatic updates for outdated installations. Microsoft emphasized that KB5002907 is an optional update available through Windows Update and does not install by default.

User Reports and Impact

Early reports of issues emerged shortly after the update’s release. Christian Van Hautte, an IT service provider in Belgium, noted that multiple clients experienced sudden license validation failures on Office 2016 and 2019 installations. Van Hautte reported that five separate organizations contacted his team within a 10-minute window on September 24, with dozens of devices affected. All impacted systems used perpetual licenses rather than subscription-based Microsoft 365 plans. The common denominator was the KB5002907 update, which was described as targeting outdated Microsoft 365 Apps but inadvertently affected non-subscription Office versions.

Technical Analysis

Re-entering the original product key restored activation on some devices, though Van Hautte observed that the update installed automatically despite being labeled optional. Further analysis revealed that KB5002907 triggers a process that removes and reinstalls Office components. This behavior caused failures when systems had mixed architecture installations, such as 32-bit Office 2016 or 2019 alongside 64-bit Microsoft Access Runtime. Microsoft’s setup tools do not support coexistence of 32-bit and 64-bit Office products, leading to incomplete reinstallation and loss of functionality. Van Hautte noted that affected systems sometimes lost Office entirely, requiring manual intervention. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the role of architecture mismatches in these failures.

Microsoft’s Response

Additional user reports corroborated the issue. One individual described Office 2019 installations becoming unlicensed after the update, with some devices requiring reactivation via Microsoft accounts rather than product keys. Another user reported that both their Office 2019 and a family member’s Office 2016 installations were completely uninstalled overnight, despite valid purchase histories. Similar complaints appeared in Microsoft forums, with multiple users documenting disruptions following the update. Microsoft acknowledged the problem and suspended KB5002907 while investigating. A company spokesperson stated, “We are aware of these reports and have paused the update while we investigate. Additional customer guidance will be communicated via appropriate channels.”

Support Page Update

The KB5002907 support page was updated to reflect the issue, noting that “unexpected results” could occur on devices running Office 2016 or 2019 after installation. Microsoft outlined two potential outcomes: temporary unlicensed states requiring reactivation or rare cases of complete Office removal. Affected users are advised to re-enter product keys or contact support for further assistance.

Conclusion

The incident highlights risks associated with mandatory update mechanisms and underscores the importance of thorough testing for compatibility with legacy software configurations. Microsoft has not yet provided a timeline for resuming the update’s distribution or addressing the underlying technical challenges.

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