Fix Visio and Project 2021 Disappearing After Microsoft 365 Update
Question details
The user needs to prevent retail versions of Visio Professional 2021 and Project Professional 2021 from being automatically uninstalled during subscription-based Microsoft 365 application updates.
- Product
- Microsoft 365, Visio 2021, Project 2021
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Updating subscription-based Microsoft 365 apps on a computer that also has retail installations of Visio and Project.
- Observed behavior
- Visio Professional 2021 and Project Professional 2021 silently disappear or get uninstalled after Microsoft 365 completes its update process.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login details and the product keys for Visio Professional 2021 and Project Professional 2021 ready, as you may need to reinstall the standalone applications after troubleshooting.
Perform a Clean Boot and Test a New User Profile
A Windows clean boot eliminates background software conflicts, while a new user profile helps identify if account corruption is triggering the aggressive uninstallation during Microsoft 365 updates.
Conflicting third-party services or a corrupted local Windows profile can interfere with the Microsoft Click-to-Run update mechanism, mistakenly flagging standalone retail products for removal.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'msconfig' and press Enter to launch the System Configuration utility.
Navigate to the 'Services' tab, check the box for 'Hide all Microsoft services' at the bottom, and then click the 'Disable all' button.
Switch to the 'Startup' tab and click 'Open Task Manager'. In the Task Manager, right-click and disable all enabled startup items, then close Task Manager.
Click 'OK' in the System Configuration window and restart your computer. Once rebooted, trigger the Microsoft 365 update to see if Visio and Project remain intact.
If the issue persists, go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Click 'Add someone else to this PC' to create a new local user account, log into it, and test the update process again.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Editing Experience
If Microsoft 365 updates continuously conflict with your standalone software and cause unexpected uninstallations, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, all-in-one productivity suite without the aggressive background updates that interfere with other programs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to resume your work without compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Visio and Project 2021 disappear after a Microsoft 365 update?
This issue typically occurs due to a conflict within the Click-to-Run installation engine. When subscription-based Microsoft 365 updates, it may incorrectly identify retail (perpetual) installations of Visio or Project sharing the same installation path as obsolete or conflicting, thereby removing them automatically.
How do I reinstall Visio or Project 2021 if they disappear?
You can restore your missing applications by logging into your Microsoft Account dashboard at account.microsoft.com. Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section, locate your Visio 2021 or Project 2021 license, and click the 'Install' button to reinstall the software.
Can I temporarily disable automatic Microsoft 365 updates to prevent this?
Yes. Open any Microsoft 365 application, such as Word or Excel, and go to File > Account. Click on 'Update Options' next to Office Updates, and select 'Disable Updates'. Note that this will stop all security and feature updates until you manually re-enable them.
