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How to Completely Remove a Fraudulent Office Installation and Vendor Connections
Question details
The user needs to completely remove a previously installed fraudulent version of Microsoft Office 2021 and stop Windows from connecting to the third-party vendor's domain during updates.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Professional 2021
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Replacing a fraudulent third-party Office installation with a genuine version while securely eliminating malicious background update connections.
- Observed behavior
- Windows continues to report connections to the fraudulent former vendor's domain during system updates, even after attempting to switch to a genuine license.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your genuine license. Back up any important documents locally before proceeding with the uninstallation.
Completely Remove Office Using the Uninstall Troubleshooter
Using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant ensures that all Office remnants, including potentially malicious background tasks, are completely wiped from your system.
A standard uninstallation via the Windows Control Panel often leaves behind scheduled tasks, registry keys, and background updaters. The official Microsoft troubleshooter is required for a deep clean.
Navigate to the official Microsoft support site and download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (Office Uninstall Troubleshooter).
Launch the downloaded tool, select 'Office Professional 2021' (and any other Office versions listed), and follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove the software.
Once the tool finishes processing, restart your computer to clear any lingering processes from active memory.
Go to account.microsoft.com/services, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your genuine license, and click 'Install' to download the safe, official installer.
Check Startup Tasks and Run a Security Scan
If the domain connection persists after the clean uninstallation, manually identify leftover programs and run a deep system scan.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Licensing and Vendor Risks
Tired of dealing with complicated licenses, fraudulent third-party sellers, and messy uninstallations? WPS Office provides a free, secure, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It is lightweight, ad-free in its core editing features, and officially available directly from the source.
- 1. Visit the Official Website: Go to wps.com to ensure you are downloading genuine software directly from the developer.
- 2. Download and Install: Click 'Free Download' and run the lightweight installer on your Windows PC.
- 3. Open Your Files Natively: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my computer still contacting the fraudulent vendor after I uninstalled their Office version?
A standard uninstallation often leaves behind hidden scheduled tasks, registry keys, or background updater services created by the fraudulent software. Using the official Microsoft Office uninstall troubleshooter and running a full antivirus scan can help find and remove these remnants completely.
Should I block the vendor's domain in my router or DNS settings to stop the updates?
No, blocking the domain via DNS only hides the symptom (the connection attempt) and does not remove the underlying malicious software or scheduled task from your system. It is highly recommended to locate and delete the source process instead.
How do I verify that my current Microsoft Office license is genuine?
You can verify your license by signing in to account.microsoft.com/services with your Microsoft account. Any genuine, officially recognized licenses linked to your account will appear there, allowing you to safely download the installer directly from Microsoft.
What should I do if the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant doesn't solve the issue?
If the problem persists, the unauthorized vendor may have installed deeply embedded malware. Run a full system antivirus scan using Windows Defender or a reputable third-party security tool, collect process information from the Windows Event Viewer, and contact Microsoft Support for advanced assistance.
