'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Completely Uninstall Microsoft 365 Before Installing Office 2021
Question details
The user needs to completely remove leftover Microsoft 365 components to cleanly install Office 2021 Professional without licensing conflicts.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Transitioning from a canceled Microsoft 365 Family subscription to a standalone Office 2021 Professional license.
- Observed behavior
- Standard uninstall attempts left residual Office components and licensing files on the system, preventing a clean installation of the new software.
Ensure you have your Office 2021 Professional product key ready and have closed any running Office background processes before beginning the uninstallation process.
Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)
The most reliable method to automatically remove all residual Microsoft 365 files, registry entries, and licensing components.
Standard Windows uninstallation methods sometimes fail to remove hidden licensing tokens and registry keys. The official Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool is designed specifically to force-clean these stubborn files, ensuring a blank slate for Office 2021.
Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SetupProd_OffScrub.exe).
Double-click the downloaded file to install the tool. When prompted by the application, agree to the terms and conditions.
On the 'Uninstall Office products' screen, check the box next to Microsoft 365 (or all listed Office versions if you want a complete wipe) and click 'Next'.
Follow the remaining on-screen prompts. Once the tool finishes processing, restart your computer to finalize the cleanup. You can now safely install Office 2021 Professional.
Uninstall via Windows Settings
A standard uninstallation method through the Windows Settings menu for cases where the built-in uninstaller is still functional.
Contact Microsoft Support
If automated tools and standard settings fail to remove the residual components, official support can provide advanced troubleshooting.
Tired of Microsoft Office Installation Issues? Try WPS Office
If you are struggling with Microsoft 365 licensing conflicts, stubborn uninstalls, or installation errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, hassle-free installation process without the complicated subscription management.
- 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. The installation takes less than a minute and won't conflict with leftover Microsoft files.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and immediately start viewing, editing, or creating new documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I just manually delete the Microsoft Office folder in Program Files?
Manually deleting the Office folder leaves behind registry keys, hidden system files, and background services. This corrupted state will almost certainly block future installations, like Office 2021, from completing successfully.
Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my saved Word or Excel documents?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft 365 application will only remove the software programs. It will not delete your personal files, documents, or spreadsheets saved on your local hard drive or OneDrive.
What should I do if the Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) gets stuck?
If the uninstall tool hangs during the process, restart your computer, temporarily disable your third-party antivirus software, and run the SaRA tool again by right-clicking it and selecting 'Run as Administrator'.
Do I absolutely need to remove Microsoft 365 before installing Office 2021?
Yes. Microsoft strongly advises against running multiple versions of Office on the same computer (especially mixing subscription versions with perpetual licenses). Doing so typically leads to persistent licensing errors and default application conflicts.
