Microsoft halts KB5002907 after Office 2016 and 2019 licensing problems

The paused update was meant to bring outdated Microsoft 365 Apps installations current but instead left some perpetual Office setups unusable or appearing unlicensed.

Microsoft has halted KB5002907’s rollout after reports that it disrupted perpetual Office 2016 and Office 2019 installations. The optional update was intended to bring Microsoft 365 Apps installations more than 90 days out of date up to date. Christian Van Hautte, who runs a Belgian MSP, said five unrelated customers reported problems within about ten minutes on September 24, affecting dozens of PCs. Van Hautte said setup may fail on systems combining 32-bit Office with 64-bit Microsoft Access Runtime; Microsoft has not confirmed mixed architectures as the cause. Microsoft says Office may appear unlicensed, or, in rare cases, be removed entirely, and recommends reactivating the purchased product when it appears unlicensed.