How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Want to free up space, fix Office errors, or switch to a different productivity suite? Whatever the reason, knowing how to uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows 11 properly can save you time and frustration.

In this complete step-by-step guide, we’ll cover multiple safe ways to remove Office — including the Control Panel, Settings app, Microsoft Support Tool, and even Command Prompt methods. You’ll also learn how to completely clean leftover files and registry entries to ensure a fresh reinstall if needed.

Why You Might Need to Uninstall Microsoft Office

There are many reasons users decide to uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows 11, including:

• Switching to a newer version (like Microsoft 365 or Office 2021)

• Fixing installation issues or corruption errors

• Freeing up disk space on your computer

• Removing pre-installed trial versions that you don’t use

• Switching to free alternatives like Google Docs, WPS Office, or LibreOffice

Whatever your goal, uninstalling Office correctly ensures there are no leftover files that might cause problems later.

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Which Versions of Office Can You Remove?

This guide works for all modern Office versions, including:

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Before You Begin: Important Things to Know

Before uninstalling Microsoft Office, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth experience:

• Save your documents and emails. Uninstalling Office doesn’t delete your personal files, but always back up important data.

• Deactivate your license (optional). If you plan to reinstall Office later, sign out of your Microsoft account to avoid activation issues.

• Keep your product key safe. You may need it if reinstalling an older standalone version like Office 2016 or 2019.

• Close all Office apps. Make sure Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are fully closed before starting.

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Method 1: Uninstall Microsoft Office from Settings (Recommended)

This is the simplest and most direct way to uninstall Office in Windows 11.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Settings

   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate to Apps → Installed Apps

   • Click Apps in the left sidebar.

   • Select Installed Apps on the right.

3. Find Microsoft Office

   • Scroll down or use the search bar to find Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.

4. Click the Three Dots (…) and Select “Uninstall”

   • Confirm your choice when prompted.

5. Follow the On-Screen Instructions

   • Wait for the uninstallation process to finish.

That’s it! Once done, Office will be removed from your Windows 11 computer.

💡 Tip: Restart your computer afterward to ensure all components are deleted.

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Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft Office Using Control Panel

For older Office versions, the Control Panel method is often more reliable.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.

2. Go to Programs → Programs and Features.

3. Find Microsoft Office in the list.

4. Right-click it and choose Uninstall.

5. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

✅ When to use: This method is ideal for Office 2016, 2019, or 2021 retail versions.

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Method 3: Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant Tool

If standard uninstallation doesn’t work or errors appear, use Microsoft’s Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool.

Steps:

1. Go to the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant page.

2. Download and run the tool.

3. Select Office → I have problems uninstalling Office.

4. Click Next and follow the wizard.

5. Restart your PC after it finishes.

🧰 Why use SaRA?
It completely removes all Office-related files, registry entries, and leftover components — ensuring a clean slate for reinstallation.

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Method 4: Remove Office Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

For advanced users or IT admins, you can uninstall Office via command-line tools.

Using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   setup.exe /uninstall ProPlus /config config.xml


   (Make sure you navigate to the Office installation directory first.)

Using PowerShell:

1. Search for PowerShell, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

2. Run the following command:

   Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.Office.Desktop | Remove-AppxPackage


⚠️ Note: Use this only if other methods fail. It’s powerful and may remove shared Office components.

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How to Remove Leftover Office Files and Registry Entries

Even after uninstalling, some temporary or hidden files may remain.

Step 1: Delete Residual Folders

Remove these folders manually:

Step 2: Clean the Registry (Optional, Advanced)

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office


3. Delete leftover Office keys carefully.

⚠️ Caution: Editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly — back it up first.

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How to Uninstall Microsoft 365 (Subscription Version)

Microsoft 365 is cloud-connected, but the uninstall process is nearly identical.

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.

2. Locate Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise or Microsoft 365 Family.

3. Click Uninstall.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

If the uninstall fails, rerun the SaRA tool to fully remove all associated services and credentials.

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How to Reinstall Office Later (If Needed)

If you plan to reinstall Office after uninstalling, here’s how:

For Microsoft 365 Users:

1. Visit Office.com.

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

3. Click Install Office → select your version.

For Retail or Volume Licenses:

1. Enter your product key at setup.office.com.

2. Follow the prompts to download and install.

🎯 Pro Tip: Restart your PC before reinstalling to avoid leftover service conflicts.

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Troubleshooting Common Office Uninstallation Problems

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What Happens to Your Files and Emails After Uninstalling Office?

Good news — your personal files remain untouched.

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint documents: Stay saved in their folders.

• Outlook emails: Remain stored if you use IMAP or online accounts (like Outlook.com or Gmail).

• Locally stored PST files: Back these up if you plan to reinstall Office later.

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Tips for a Clean and Error-Free Office Reinstallation

• Always restart your PC after uninstalling Office.

• Delete leftover folders before reinstalling.

• Use the same Microsoft account for license reactivation.

• Update Windows before reinstalling Office.

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Alternative Office Suites You Can Try

If you’re uninstalling Microsoft Office for good, here are some great alternatives:

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Conclusion: Successfully Remove Microsoft Office from Windows 11

Uninstalling Microsoft Office from Windows 11 doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you use the Settings app, Control Panel, or SaRA tool, you can remove Office safely in minutes.

Key Takeaways:

• Backup your files before uninstalling.

• Use Settings for quick removal, or SaRA for stubborn installs.

• Restart your PC afterward to clean up residual files.

• You can reinstall Office anytime using your Microsoft account.

Now you know how to uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows 11 — confidently and completely!

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FAQs About Uninstalling Microsoft Office on Windows 11

1. Does uninstalling Office delete my Word and Excel files?

No, your personal files stay safe. Only the Office apps are removed.

2. How do I completely remove Office when “Uninstall” doesn’t work?

Use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool to forcefully uninstall Office.

3. Can I reinstall Office later with the same license?

Yes — your digital license or product key remains valid for reinstalling.

4. How long does it take to uninstall Microsoft Office?

Usually between 3–10 minutes, depending on your PC speed and Office version.

5. Is it safe to delete Office registry entries manually?

Only if you know what you’re doing. For safety, use the SaRA tool to handle registry cleanup automatically.

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• Windows 11 supports multiple Office removal methods.

• Use Settings → Installed Apps for the fastest uninstall.

• If issues arise, try Control Panel or Microsoft SaRA.

• Back up important Outlook data before uninstalling.

• Restart your PC to finalize the process.