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How to Reinstall the OneNote Desktop App on Windows
Question details
The user needs to reinstall the Microsoft OneNote desktop application on a Windows computer after it was removed or became unavailable.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Restoring the OneNote desktop application after a Windows update removes it from an existing Microsoft 365 or Office installation.
- Observed behavior
- The OneNote desktop app is no longer accessible or missing from the system following a major Windows update, requiring a fresh installation to access local and synced notebooks.
Before proceeding with a reinstallation, click the Windows Start button and search for 'OneNote' to verify if the application was actually uninstalled or simply unpinned from your taskbar. Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready to sign in and sync your existing notebooks.
Reinstall OneNote via the Microsoft Store
This is the fastest and most straightforward method to get the standalone OneNote desktop app back on your Windows system.
The Microsoft Store provides the most up-to-date, standalone version of the OneNote desktop application. This method does not require reinstalling your entire Office suite.
Click the Windows Start button, type 'Microsoft Store' into the search bar, and press Enter to launch the store application.
Click on the search bar at the top of the Microsoft Store window, type 'OneNote', and select the official Microsoft OneNote app from the search results.
Click the 'Get' or 'Install' button. Wait for the download and installation process to complete, then click 'Open' to launch OneNote and sign in to your Microsoft account.
Download from the Official OneNote Website
Use this direct download method if you are unable to access the Microsoft Store or prefer using a standalone installer.
Repair or Reinstall Microsoft 365 / Office 2016
If OneNote was originally installed as part of a comprehensive Microsoft 365 or Office 2016 suite, repairing the suite can restore the missing application.
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Tired of individual applications like OneNote going missing after system updates? Consider switching to WPS Office. It provides an all-in-one workspace that seamlessly integrates Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF editing capabilities into a single, stable application. Your tools stay organized in one place, preventing unexpected uninstalls.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the installer for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite on your computer.
- 3. Explore the all-in-one workspace: Launch WPS Office and begin creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs right from a single, unified dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my existing notes if I reinstall the OneNote app?
No. As long as your notes were synced to your Microsoft account via OneDrive before the application was removed, they are safe in the cloud. Once you reinstall OneNote and sign back in, your notebooks will automatically sync and appear.
Why did a Windows update remove my OneNote desktop app?
Major Windows updates sometimes consolidate overlapping applications or reset specific configurations. In Microsoft's effort to unify its OneNote versions, older standalone desktop versions can sometimes be inadvertently removed or replaced by built-in system apps.
Is the OneNote desktop app different from OneNote for Windows 10?
Yes. The OneNote desktop app (formerly called OneNote 2016) is the comprehensive version designed for desktop environments. OneNote for Windows 10 is an older UWP app pre-installed on some systems. Microsoft is currently unifying features into the single OneNote desktop app.
