Uninstalling Microsoft 365 from Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it might seem at first glance. You just need to navigate through a few menus in Settings, but here’s where things get a little tricky sometimes — if you don’t see the app listed or it refuses to uninstall, that’s when you start pulling out command lines or third-party tools. Anyway, the usual way is straightforward, so let’s walk through it.
How to Uninstall Microsoft 365 on Windows 11
Step 1: Open Settings
Start by clicking on the Start button, then hit the Settings gear icon. You can also press Windows + I for a shortcut. This opens the control hub for most system tweaks. On some setups, the Settings app can be kinda sluggish or buggy, like Windows has to make things more complicated than they should be. But on most machines, this shortcut works fine.
Step 2: Go to Apps
Inside Settings, click on Apps from the sidebar. This is where Windows lists all installed programs.
If that doesn’t show everything (like maybe some weird MS Store apps), you might want to jump into Apps & features directly, which is sometimes found under System or just via search. On some builds, you might have to scroll a bit or switch to the View installed apps list for some extra visibility.
Step 3: Access Installed Apps / Programs List
In the Apps & features page, scroll or search for Microsoft 365. It could also show up as Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, depending on the version. If you don’t find it, double-check you’re in the right category — some people get confused with the submenus. Also, if it’s a click-to-open app from the Microsoft Store, it gets a little more complicated, but usually, the store version shows up here too.
Step 4: Locate Microsoft 365
Once you find Microsoft 365, click on it and then hit the Uninstall button. If you don’t see that, try clicking on the three-dot menu next to it — sometimes, the uninstall option is hidden behind there. In some cases, you might get prompted with a UAC (User Account Control) window — just click Yes to continue.
This is where things get a bit more involved: an uninstaller window should pop up. Sometimes, it’ll launch the Office removal tool built into your system; other times, it’ll ask you to confirm. Be prepared to close any Office apps that are running. Windows might warn you if apps are open that need closing beforehand.
Step 5: Complete the Uninstallation
Follow the prompts in the Office setup wizard. It usually takes a minute or two to finish. If it stalls or throws an error, some folks have had better luck running a PowerShell command or a dedicated cleanup tool like the Winhance. That’s especially true if residual files hang around after the standard uninstall.
Pro tip: if the uninstaller fails or leaves leftovers, open PowerShell as Administrator (search for PowerShell, right-click, Run as Administrator), then run these commands to clean as much as possible:
Get-AppxPackage -Name *Office* | Remove-AppxPackageOr for more brute-force removal, some folks use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool for Office. Just Google “Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant Office” and follow the instructions. Because of course, Windows may try to make it unnecessarily complicated.
Tips for Uninstalling Microsoft 365 on Windows 11
- Double-check you’ve saved all your docs before starting — it’s a good habit. Sometimes, residual files or cache might stay behind, so consider removing leftover files from
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Officeif things seem wonky afterward. - If the built-in uninstaller refuses to cooperate, third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller can help clear remnants or registry entries.
- Make sure your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 is fully closed before uninstalling, especially if some Office apps keep running in the background — check the taskbar and Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see if anything is hanging around.
- Restart your PC after uninstalling. Some files or processes need a reboot to fully clear out, and on some setups, the uninstaller fails to remove everything until after a reboot.
- If you have a subscription, don’t forget to manage it through your Microsoft account, so you’re not surprised by charges later. Log into Microsoft Services Dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reinstall Microsoft 365 if I need it again?
Generally, the easiest way is to just go to the Microsoft 365 download page and sign in with your account. Then, follow the prompts to install.
Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my files?
Not really. Your documents, emails, and files stay put, but the Office suite itself gets removed. Still, it’s worth backing up important docs if you’re doing a clean removal — better safe than sorry.
Can I uninstall Microsoft 365 if I’m using a shared computer?
Yes, but only if you have admin rights. Also, make sure other users aren’t relying on Office apps in their workflow. This isn’t a “delete everyone’s access” kind of thing if multiple profiles are involved.
Does uninstalling affect my subscription?
Nah, your subscription remains active until the expiry date, even if the apps are gone. You can always reinstall later or re-enable Office if needed.
What if the uninstall process doesn’t work?
Try again after rebooting, or run Microsoft’s Support and Recovery Assistant. Sometimes, it just needs a little nudge from a more aggressive cleanup tool.
Summary
- Open Settings (via Start > Settings or Windows + I).
- Head to Apps.
- Find Microsoft 365 in the apps list.
- Click and choose Uninstall.
- If needed, run cleanup tools or PowerShell commands for leftover bits.
Fingers crossed this helps someone cut out that bulky Office suite, or just clear up space for other goodies. Just something that worked on multiple machines.