If you’re searching for a Microsoft Office removal tool, you’re probably dealing with a stuck install, a leftover trial, or an old copy you want gone before setting up something new. Microsoft provides a free, official way to completely uninstall Microsoft Office from a PC — on Windows 11, Windows 10, or a Mac. (Moving Office to a new PC instead of removing it? See our guide on transferring Microsoft Office to another computer.)
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft’s official uninstall troubleshooter is a free download at aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC, but it does not currently remove Office 2024 — use the Settings or Control Panel method for that version instead.
- Uninstalling Office removes only the program files; documents, spreadsheets, and presentations stay exactly where you saved them, in Documents, on the Desktop, or in OneDrive.
- The same Office version can’t use two install technologies (Click-to-Run and MSI) on one PC at once — remove one before adding the other.
- A basic Settings or Control Panel uninstall finishes in minutes; the official troubleshooter can take up to about an hour, and a restart afterward is recommended.
- On a Mac, the “Microsoft License Removal Tool” only clears license files — it doesn’t remove the apps. For a full removal, use Finder > Applications instead.
What Is the Microsoft Office Removal Tool, and How Do You Use It?
It’s Microsoft’s free official uninstall troubleshooter (aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC) that scans your PC and removes Office 2016 through Microsoft 365 automatically. Download it, select Office, choose Uninstall, and let it run — usually a few minutes, sometimes up to an hour.
Microsoft officially calls it the uninstall troubleshooter, built on its Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) technology — the tool Microsoft’s own support staff point people to first (often still searched as “Office 365,” though its current name is Microsoft 365).
- Close all Office apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and anything else running).
- Go to aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC and download the tool directly from Microsoft.
- Run the file to open the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.
- Select Office, then choose Uninstall (pick the specific version if more than one is installed).
- Let it scan and remove Office automatically.
- Restart your computer when it finishes.
One caveat: the troubleshooter currently doesn’t remove Office 2024 — use the method below instead. It’s also worth reaching for when a regular uninstall fails partway through, or Office won’t reinstall cleanly.
How Do You Completely Uninstall Microsoft Office in Windows 11 or Windows 10?
Open Settings, go to Apps > Installed apps, find your Office product, open its menu, choose Uninstall, and confirm. This built-in Windows Office removal tool works for every version, including 2024.
This is the most reliable manual method — and the one to use for Office 2024, since the troubleshooter doesn’t cover it yet.
- Close every Office app running in the background.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select Apps, then Installed apps (Windows 10: Apps & features).
- Type “Office” in the search box.
- Open the menu next to your Office product and choose Uninstall.
- Confirm, and let Windows finish removing the program.
- Restart your PC once it’s done.
On Windows 10, the same job is done at Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
How Do You Uninstall Microsoft Office on a Mac?
Open Finder > Applications, select every Microsoft Office app, and move them to Trash. If you’re only fixing a licensing problem rather than removing Office entirely, Microsoft’s separate License Removal Tool clears just the license files, not the apps.
Mac doesn’t have a Control Panel or Settings uninstaller — Office apps come out the same way any Mac app does:
- Open Finder > Applications.
- Hold Command and click each Microsoft 365/Office app to select them all.
- Control-click the selection and choose Move to Trash.
- Press Command+Shift+G, type
~/Library, and remove the related folders inside Containers. - Remove Office icons from the Dock, then restart. (Microsoft Support)
Don’t confuse this with the Microsoft Office License Removal Tool — a separate, smaller download that only clears license files, not the apps. It’s meant for licensing problems, like moving from a one-time-purchase copy to a Microsoft 365 subscription, not a full uninstall. (Microsoft Support)
Does Uninstalling Office Delete Your Documents or Files?
No. Uninstalling Office removes only the program. Documents, spreadsheets, and presentations you created stay exactly where you saved them — in Documents, on the Desktop, or in OneDrive.
It’s a common, understandable worry — but a program and its files are two separate things, stored separately. Word is a program; a letter you wrote in Word is a file that lives independently. Uninstalling Word removes the program. The letter stays put.
Microsoft confirms this directly: uninstalling Microsoft 365 or Office removes only the applications, not any files, documents, or workbooks you created with them. The one thing worth doing first, as good practice, is a quick check that custom templates or your Outlook data file (.pst) — which can sit in less obvious folders — are backed up somewhere you’ll find them again.
Which Office Uninstall Method Should You Use?
For most people on Windows, Microsoft’s official uninstall support tool is the most thorough option. Use Settings or Control Panel instead if you want the fastest route, need to remove Office 2024, or would rather not download anything extra.
Whether you call it an Office removal tool, an Office remove tool, or an uninstall support tool, here’s how the three options compare:
| Method | Best For | Clears Leftover Files? | Office 2024 Support | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings (Win 11) / Control Panel (Win 10) | Any version, no download needed | Program files only — some registry traces may remain | Yes | A few minutes |
| Microsoft’s Uninstall Support Tool | Stuck, broken, or multiple leftover installs | Yes — scans for and clears registry and program traces | Not yet (2016–365 only) | Minutes to about an hour |
| Third-party uninstaller tools | Advanced users comfortable with unofficial software | Varies — often thorough, but unsupported by Microsoft | Varies | Several minutes |
Third-party tools can work well, but they aren’t published by Microsoft — use one only from a source you trust.
What Should You Do Before Uninstalling Office?
Save any open work, close all Office apps, and confirm which Microsoft account or product key is linked to your license — you’ll need it to reinstall afterward.
- Confirm your sign-in. Retail Office keys (2016 and newer) are redeemed once, then tied permanently to a Microsoft account — you don’t re-enter the key later.
- Check for install-technology conflicts. Click-to-Run and Windows Installer (MSI) versions of the same Office release can’t run side by side. Remove the old install first when switching versions. (Microsoft Support)
- Close everything Office-related, including Teams or OneDrive sync, so the uninstaller doesn’t stall.
When you’re ready to reinstall, sign in at account.microsoft.com/services with the account used to redeem your license. Installing Office 2024 fresh? Our step-by-step setup guide walks through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling Office remove my product key or license?
No. Once redeemed, a retail Office product key is permanently linked to your Microsoft account, not the installation. Uninstalling doesn’t touch that link — sign back in with the same account to reinstall.
Can I install a different version of Office after uninstalling the old one?
Yes — that’s often exactly why people uninstall in the first place. Just remove the old version fully first to avoid install-technology conflicts.
How long does the Office uninstall tool take?
Settings or Control Panel usually takes a few minutes. Microsoft’s official troubleshooter can run longer — up to an hour by some accounts — since it scans more thoroughly.
Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling Office?
Yes. A restart clears background processes and finishes cleanup tasks that don’t complete while Windows is running, helping avoid conflicts before installing a new version.
What if Office won’t uninstall or the process gets stuck?
Close every Office-related app and background process, including Teams and OneDrive, then run Microsoft’s official uninstall troubleshooter — built specifically for stuck or partial installs that Settings can’t clear.
Ready for a Clean Office Install?
Once Office is fully removed, it can be a good moment to move to a current, one-time-purchase version instead of reinstalling an old copy or renewing a subscription. The Software City is a listed Microsoft Partner; every license ships as a genuine digital key with a 180-day replacement warranty and live chat/email support through installation.
If you uninstalled a trial or an aging copy and want a straightforward one-time license to install fresh, Office 2021 Professional Plus is $64.99 — a retail license, transferable to a future PC, delivered by email, typically within 15–45 minutes.
