How to Uninstall Skype for Business on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Skype for Business was once a go-to communication tool for businesses, but with Microsoft Teams taking over, many users no longer need it. If Skype for Business keeps launching on startup or you simply don’t use it anymore, uninstalling it is the best way to free up space and avoid distractions.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to completely uninstall Skype for Business on Windows 11, step by step, using multiple methods — including the Control Panel, Registry Editor, and PowerShell — so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Table of Contents

Why Uninstall Skype for Business?

Before we get started, let’s quickly look at why you might want to remove it:

Annoying startup popups every time you boot your PC
Switching to Microsoft Teams or another chat platform
Freeing up resources to improve performance
Reducing background processes for better battery life on laptops

Step 1: Check if Skype for Business Is Installed Separately

First, you need to know whether Skype for Business is a standalone app or part of Microsoft Office.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps > Installed apps.
Scroll and check if Skype for Business appears as a separate program.

If you see it listed, you can uninstall it directly (Step 2).
If not, it may be bundled with Office — you’ll need a different approach (Step 4).

Step 2: Uninstall Skype for Business via Settings

This is the easiest method if Skype for Business is installed as a standalone app.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps > Installed apps.
Find Skype for Business in the list.
Click the three dots (…) next to it and select Uninstall.
Confirm the action and wait for the process to finish.

Restart your PC to make sure it’s fully removed.

Step 3: Stop Skype for Business from Running at Startup

If you don’t want to uninstall it completely but just stop it from launching:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup apps tab.
Find Skype for Business in the list.
Right-click it and choose Disable.

This will stop it from opening automatically every time you turn on your computer.

Step 4: Remove Skype for Business When It’s Part of Office

If Skype for Business came bundled with Microsoft Office, you’ll need to modify Office installation:

Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
Find Microsoft Office in the list.
Right-click and choose Change.
Select Add or Remove Features.
Look for Skype for Business and choose Not Available.
Complete the setup and restart your PC.

This removes Skype for Business while keeping the rest of Office intact.

Step 5: Sign Out and Reset Skype for Business Before Uninstalling (Optional)

If Skype for Business keeps coming back, sign out and reset it before uninstalling:

Open Skype for Business.
Click the gear icon (⚙️) > File > Sign Out.
Close Skype for Business.
Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft, and press Enter.
Delete the Skype for Business folder.

This clears cached login data so it won’t automatically reconnect after removal.

Step 6: Use PowerShell to Force Uninstall (Advanced)

If Skype for Business refuses to uninstall, try PowerShell:

Press Windows + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
Type the following command and press Enter:

This will scan for Skype for Business and remove it forcefully.

Step 7: Clean Up Leftover Registry Keys (Advanced)

To make sure no traces remain:

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to:

Find and delete the Office\15.0\Lync or Office\16.0\Lync folder (depending on version).

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when editing the registry — deleting the wrong keys can cause issues. Back up your registry first.

Step 8: Reboot Your PC

Once you’ve uninstalled Skype for Business and cleaned up any leftover data, restart your computer to apply changes.

Alternative: Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Microsoft offers a free tool called SaRA (Support and Recovery Assistant) that can automatically remove Skype for Business.

Download it from the official Microsoft site.
Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions to completely uninstall Skype for Business.

Common Problems & Fixes

Problem	Solution
Skype for Business still launches after uninstall	Disable startup entry in Task Manager and clear cache folder
Error while uninstalling	Use PowerShell or SaRA tool
Skype for Business reappears after Office update	Re-run Office setup and set Skype for Business to “Not Available”

Tips to Keep Your PC Clean

Regularly check Startup apps to prevent unwanted programs from auto-launching.
Use a cleanup tool like Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to remove leftovers.
Consider switching to Microsoft Teams or Zoom if you still need a communication app.

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling Skype for Business on Windows 11 is straightforward if it’s installed as a standalone app, but even if it’s bundled with Office, you can remove it by modifying your Office installation. For stubborn cases, PowerShell and Microsoft’s SaRA tool are your best friends.

Once it’s gone, your PC will start faster, use fewer resources, and you won’t have to deal with unwanted popups.

FAQs

1. Will uninstalling Skype for Business affect Microsoft Teams?
No, Teams and Skype for Business are separate apps. Removing one won’t affect the other.

2. Can I reinstall Skype for Business later?
Yes, you can download it again from Microsoft if you ever need it.

3. Why does Skype for Business keep coming back after uninstalling?
It may be reinstalled during an Office update. Modify your Office installation to remove it permanently.

4. Is it safe to delete registry keys for Skype for Business?
Yes, if you delete only the Skype for Business keys. Always back up your registry first.

5. Does removing Skype for Business improve performance?
Yes — it frees up memory, CPU usage, and speeds up boot time since it won’t auto-launch.