Microsoft Office Licensing at BSU

Microsoft 365/Office Licensing at Bridgewater State University

If you see an activation or licensing error in Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint, try the quick steps below. If you still need help, contact the BSU IT Help Desk.

Who this is for

For BSU students, faculty, and staff using Microsoft 365/Office.

How licensing works

BSU provides users with access to five (5) licenses to Microsoft Office 365 Apps with the license being tied to Bridgewater account (not a specific computer). You must sign in with your BSU email to activate Office, and you can use Office on more than one device.

Note: Not every BSU account automatically receives a Microsoft 365 license, and the university has a limited number available. If your account does not have a license, you may see an activation error when using Office.

If you believe you should have access, please contact the IT Support Center to inquire about licensing.

For all university-owned (BSU) computers, Office is set up and activated with assistance for the technician during deployment, so no additional steps are required.

Common messages

  • Unlicensed Product (can open Office, but can’t edit)
  • No License Found
  • Activation Required / Not Licensed
  • Your Microsoft 365 license will be deactivated soon

The following are quick fixes in the event you receive one of the previous messages:

1) Make sure you’re signed in with your BSU account

  • In Word or Excel, go to File → Account
  • Confirm you’re signed in with your BSU email
  • If you’re signed in with a personal Microsoft account, sign out and sign back in with your BSU account

2) Sign out, close Office, then sign back in

  • Sign out of Office apps
  • Close all Office programs
  • Reopen an app and sign in again with your BSU account

3) Sign Out of Office on Other Devices

  • Click on https://portal.office.com/account/
  • Sign in with your BSU email address and password
  • Click on Apps & devices on the left-hand blue menu
  • In Apps & Devices you will see Office and just below that it will say DEVICES with a down arrow. Click on that arrow.
  • Here you can sign out of devices that are utilizing one of your Office licenses

 

4) Check your internet connection

Office may need to connect to Microsoft to confirm your license. Connect to the internet and try again.

Need help?

If the steps above don’t fix it, contact the BSU IT Help Desk via e-mail at itsupport@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508-531-2555. Walkins are welcome at the Ritesh Chandra IT Service Desk located on the ground floor of the Maxwell Library. Hours of Operation are Monday through Thursday 9am-5pm and on Fridays from 9am-4pm. Please note that summer hours may vary.

When you contact us, please include:

  • The exact error message
  • A screenshot (if you can)
  • Whether this is a new or replacement device and when the issue started

 

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