Microsoft Office is one of the most widely used productivity suites, but there are times when you might need to uninstall it. Maybe you’re upgrading to a newer version, switching to an alternative like LibreOffice, or troubleshooting an issue. Whatever the reason, uninstalling Microsoft Office on Windows 11 is straightforward if you follow the right steps.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through multiple safe methods to remove Microsoft Office completely from your Windows 11 PC.
Why Uninstall Microsoft Office?
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Upgrade or Downgrade: Move to a newer version of Office or switch to Office 2019/2021.
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Free Up Space: Office programs take up several gigabytes on your system.
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Troubleshoot Issues: Corrupted Office installations can cause crashes or errors.
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Switch to Alternatives: Some users prefer free alternatives like Google Workspace or LibreOffice.
Method 1: Uninstall Microsoft Office via Settings
Windows 11 makes uninstalling apps easy using the Settings app.
Step 1: Open Settings
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Click on Apps in the left menu.
Step 2: Navigate to Installed Apps
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Click Installed apps to see a list of all programs on your PC.
Step 3: Locate Microsoft Office
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Scroll down or use the search bar to find Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft Office 365, Office Home & Student).
Step 4: Uninstall
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Click the three dots (…) next to Office.
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Select Uninstall and confirm your choice.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to remove Office completely.
Tip: Restart your PC after uninstalling to remove residual files.
Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft Office via Control Panel
For those who prefer the classic Control Panel method:
Step 1: Open Control Panel
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Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.
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Click Programs > Programs and Features.
Step 2: Select Microsoft Office
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Locate your Microsoft Office installation in the list.
Step 3: Uninstall
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Right-click Office and choose Uninstall.
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Follow the prompts to complete the removal process.
Note: This works for older versions like Office 2016, 2013, or 2010.
Method 3: Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
If the regular uninstall fails or Office is corrupted, Microsoft provides a Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool:
Step 1: Download the Tool
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Go to Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant and download the installer.
Step 2: Run the Tool
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Launch the downloaded file.
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Choose Office > Uninstall Office and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 3: Restart Your PC
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Once the process is complete, restart Windows 11.
Tip: This tool is reliable for stubborn installations that don’t uninstall normally.
Method 4: Remove Office Leftover Files
Even after uninstalling, some Office files or registry entries might remain. Removing them ensures a clean install if you’re reinstalling Office:
Step 1: Delete Remaining Folders
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Navigate to these locations and delete Office-related folders:
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C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office -
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office -
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Office
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Step 2: Clean the Registry (Advanced Users)
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Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
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Backup your registry first: File > Export.
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Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Officeand delete the folder.
Caution: Only advanced users should modify the registry. Mistakes can harm your system.
Tips for a Smooth Uninstallation
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Backup Documents: Ensure all Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files are saved.
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Close All Office Apps: Make sure no Office program is running before uninstalling.
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Restart Your PC: After uninstalling, restart to finalize changes.
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Reinstall Office Later: If upgrading, download the new version from your Microsoft account.
Common Issues and Solutions
1. Office Won’t Uninstall
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Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to force uninstall.
2. Error Messages During Uninstallation
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Close all Office apps and restart your PC.
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Run uninstall as administrator.
3. Leftover Icons or Files
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Delete Office folders in Program Files and AppData manually.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Microsoft Office on Windows 11 is simple if you follow the right steps. Whether you use Settings, Control Panel, or Microsoft’s Support and Recovery Assistant, you can remove Office completely from your PC. After uninstalling, your system will have more space, and you can reinstall or upgrade Office without leftover conflicts.
FAQs
1. Can I uninstall Office 365 on Windows 11?
Yes, the process is the same as other versions using Settings, Control Panel, or SaRA.
2. Will uninstalling Office delete my documents?
No, your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files remain safe in their original folders.
3. How do I reinstall Office after uninstalling?
Log in to your Microsoft account, download Office, and follow the installation instructions.
4. Can I uninstall a single Office app (like Word) instead of the full suite?
Yes, Office 365 and newer versions allow uninstalling individual apps via Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
5. Is using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant safe?
Absolutely. It’s an official Microsoft tool designed to fix installation and uninstallation issues.