How to Completely Uninstall Office 2016 Pro Plus
Question details
The user needs a reliable method to completely wipe Microsoft Office 2016 Pro Plus components from their system.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 Pro Plus
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Preparing to deploy a new volume-licensed edition of Office 2019 and ensuring no legacy software interferes.
- Observed behavior
- A clean environment is required to prevent installation conflicts, registry errors, and lingering background processes from the previous 2016 installation.
Verify whether your Office 2016 uses a Click-to-Run or MSI installation, and ensure you have backed up any Outlook PST files and custom document templates.
Use the Microsoft Office Uninstall Troubleshooter
This automated support tool safely wipes all residual files, registry keys, and background tasks associated with Office 2016, providing a clean slate for Office 2019.
The uninstall troubleshooter is the most thorough method for removing Office products. It handles both Click-to-Run and MSI installation types automatically.
Visit the official Microsoft support page and download the 'Uninstall Office from a PC' support tool (SetupProd_OffScrub.exe).
Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant. The application will launch automatically once installed.
In the 'Uninstall Office products' window, select the checkbox next to 'Office 2016 Professional Plus' and click 'Next'.
Follow the remaining on-screen instructions to confirm the removal. Once the tool finishes, restart your Windows computer to complete the uninstallation process.
Remove Office 2016 via Control Panel
A standard, built-in Windows approach for users who cannot download external troubleshooting tools.
Use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)
Ideal for IT administrators who need to script the removal of volume-licensed Office 2016 across multiple machines.
Upgrade Your Workflow with WPS Office
Before deploying a massive, resource-heavy suite like Office 2019, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, all-in-one platform for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without the complicated volume licensing overhead.
- 1. Download the Installer: Navigate to the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Run the Setup: Open the downloaded installer file and accept the user agreement.
- 3. Start Creating: Click 'Install Now' and start editing your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling Office 2016 Pro Plus delete my personal documents?
No, completely uninstalling the Office 2016 application only removes the software files. Your personal Word documents, Excel workbooks, and other data remain safe on your hard drive.
How do I know if my Office 2016 is an MSI or Click-to-Run installation?
Open any Office application such as Word and click on 'File', then 'Account'. If you see an 'Update Options' button, your installation is Click-to-Run. If that button is missing, it is an MSI installation.
What happens to my Outlook emails when I remove Office?
Your Outlook emails, contacts, and calendar events are stored separately in local PST or OST files. Uninstalling Office does not delete these files, allowing you to easily reconnect them to a new Office version or an alternative email client.
Can I install Office 2019 without completely removing Office 2016 first?
While it is technically possible in some scenarios, Microsoft highly recommends performing a complete uninstallation of older Office versions. This prevents registry conflicts, duplicate file associations, and performance issues.
