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whogastim Author

Level 1

8 points

How do I disable a service?

I downloaded and installed the Office 2011 14.3.0 update for Mac, yesterday. Opening a MS Office application (Word, Excel) now spawns an active process (Office365Service) that does not shut down when the application is shut down. Before the update, that process was not present. So far, I have only been able to shut it down from Activity Monitor. Is there a way to disable this process from starting or to have it shut down when the application is shut down?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 31, 2013 7:12 AM

48 replies

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Feb 20, 2013 5:15 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E wrote:

It is a very odd animal. Others report the Service running, but I never see it. The Office apps will crash if it doesn't exist, but you don't have it at all.

I'll never understand MS, but I use Excel all the time and Outlook (only when I have to connect to Exchange servers) regularly, so I have an interest in ensuring that they work.

Feb 25, 2013 10:13 AM in response to whogastim

I have also installed 14.3.1 and the crash message has stopped. Office365Service still launches when I open Excel or Word, BUT ONLY IF I'M CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. If I turn off Wi-Fi, start Excel, then restart Wi-Fi, Office365Service does not appear to launch. Don't know what this means...obviously the "utility" is internet related, but not needed to use the main MS applications.

Feb 25, 2013 10:37 AM in response to GoMacOrGoHome

Now it's launching whether Wi-Fi is on or not...I promise I will never use Office 365.

Mar 7, 2013 7:11 AM in response to GoMacOrGoHome

I'm having the same issue. Office 365 crashing thirteen times per the console log on 5 March because I was on the computer almost all day. Yesday was only four times since I was gone over 1/2 the day out of the office. Today 7 March already crashed twice in two hours. Per the Microsoft community, there are instructions on how to disable the service via some terminal commands but it would seem there would be an easier method to uninstall or disable vice having to use terminal commands.

Anybody done this already to disable?

Mar 7, 2013 7:43 AM in response to Littlerockeagle

So, did you find reliable instructions on how to disable?

The issue with this particular service is, from what I understand, it doesn't appear in the normal list of services for the Office applications (i.e. it doesn't appear in the .plist files).

If you have a means of disabling the service, please do pass along.

While it's 'harmless' that it crashes, it's still really annoying.

And yes, I am running the latest Mac OS X and latest office patches.

Thanks.

Mar 7, 2013 9:14 AM in response to Mark Thacker

Hi Mark, I have not found a method/process to disable and like you was hoping someone in the forum would have the steps.

Mar 14, 2013 5:44 AM in response to Littlerockeagle

Having just updated yesterday to the new 14.3.2 update I am encouraged that Office365Service is no longer running in the background, and I have not had any reports of it crashing either since the update. Looks like they may have fixed the problem at last - certainly the previous update did not fix the problem for me.

My biggest frustration now is that the release notes make no mention of any fixes in this respect - why not mention it and set everyone's mind at rest?

Mar 14, 2013 6:18 AM in response to ncollingridge

"My biggest frustration now is that the release notes make no mention of any fixes in this respect - why not mention it and set everyone's mind at rest?"

What?! Microsoft do something reasonable, logical and helpful?? MICROSOFT???!!!

I mean, hope springs eternal, but this is Microsoft, after all...

;-)/2

Mar 14, 2013 12:27 PM in response to ncollingridge

I agree. I updated to 14.3.2 and have not seen the error pop up at all.

That's a good thing. I also concur that the release notes don't mention this issue at all, which I had hoped it would so that we would help re-assure me that Microsoft was at least aware of the issue.

Fingers crossed that this problem doesn't re-appear.

Mar 20, 2013 10:57 AM in response to whogastim

The news is out - new and improved Office 2013. I wonder exactly what Office365Service is communicating. There is no option in the preferences to turn off the office 365 service.

Jun 5, 2014 9:04 PM in response to Clinton Lewis1

You can quit by going to Activity Monitor and searching for it then clicking 'Quit Process' if that is what you want to do.

Oct 18, 2016 3:27 PM in response to Paula_Nicho

That only works for a few minutes, then it re-launches itself again. I've even noticed that when we're logged off our individual profiles it will launch and literally buzz until we come and click "Deny/Allow" I am SO FRUSTRATED because it freezes whatever app I'm working in until I click it. And if I click "Deny" while WORD or EXCEL is open, then the apps freeze and I have to F-Quit. This is beyond exasperating. Has anyone found a workaround yet?

Eric Root

Level 10

684,069 points

Oct 19, 2016 9:31 AM in response to Chemin Sylvia Bernard

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

Oct 20, 2016 8:27 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks Eric. I actually got an answer from Microsoft (!!) so will post it for others. Thank you for the coaching.

Oct 20, 2016 8:43 PM in response to Chemin Sylvia Bernard

I got an answer from Microsoft support, so wanted to share it here for others who don't use this and can't disable it:

f the email server says icloud in your incoming & outgoing server information, then you should not need that to authenticate to your mail server.

Basically your incoming/outgoing servers do not show office365.domain.com or similar. Also icloud/apple hosted emails would not use the Office 365 exchange server.

You should be able to remove the file. A forum shows the way to remove the file is to use the following:

1. Open Utilities/Activity Monitor.

2. find Office 365 Service application in the list of processes and highlight its line.

3. Push the small red stop sign Quit Process button at the upper left.

4. Navigate immediately to Applications folder/ Microsoft Office 2011 folder/Office folder and find the Office 365 Service application.

5. Drag the Office 365 Service app to the trash, and ignore its mournful wailing.

6. Empty the trash.

How do I disable a service?