Can You Uninstall Only Microsoft Access from Office 2019?
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to uninstall only Microsoft Access from an Office Professional Plus 2019 installation.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Testing Microsoft 365 Access Runtime without interference from the installed Access 2019 application.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to temporarily remove and later reinstall Microsoft Access but is unsure if individual app removal is supported in modern Office suites.
Before attempting to modify your Office installation, check the official Microsoft compatibility guidelines for running Access and Access Runtime on the same machine, as uninstalling may not actually be necessary.
Understand Office 2019 Click-to-Run Limitations
Modern Office versions do not support uninstalling single applications through standard Windows settings.
Microsoft Office 2019 uses Click-to-Run technology, which installs the software as a complete, all-or-nothing suite. Unlike older MSI-based installations, you cannot go to the Control Panel and selectively remove just Microsoft Access while keeping Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Click the Start menu and select 'Settings', then navigate to 'Apps' and click on 'Installed apps' (or 'Apps & features').
Type 'Office 2019' into the search bar. You will only see the entire Microsoft Office suite listed, rather than individual applications.
Clicking the 'Modify' or 'Uninstall' button will apply to the entire suite. Proceeding with uninstall will remove Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access simultaneously.
Use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) for Custom Installations
Advanced users can completely reinstall Office 2019 using the Office Deployment Tool to specifically exclude Microsoft Access.
Try WPS Office for a Lightweight, Modular Office Experience
While Microsoft Office restricts you to an all-in-one installation, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs without bloating your system.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click on the 'Free Download' button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the lightweight installation.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office to instantly create, edit, and save documents in standard Microsoft Office formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my data if I uninstall the entire Office 2019 suite?
Uninstalling the entire suite will only remove the software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.). Your personal documents, databases, and files will remain safely stored on your hard drive.
Can I install Microsoft 365 Access Runtime alongside Office 2019?
Yes, in most scenarios, Microsoft 365 Access Runtime can be installed alongside a standard Office suite. However, you must ensure that the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of the Runtime matches your installed Office version to prevent compatibility errors.
Is there a way to simply disable Access instead of uninstalling it?
While you cannot selectively uninstall it, you can remove its shortcuts from your desktop, taskbar, and Start menu to prevent accidental launches. For enterprise environments, administrators can use AppLocker or Group Policy to block the 'msaccess.exe' executable from running.
