Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

How to Remove Duplicate Microsoft 365 and OneNote Installations

Phi Hung Vo Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to remove duplicate entries of Microsoft 365 and OneNote that appeared after reinstalling the operating system.

How to Remove Duplicate Microsoft 365 and OneNote Installations

Product: Microsoft 365 and OneNote
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Managing installed programs after reinstalling Windows 11 on a Surface Pro 9.
Observed behavior: Multiple entries for Microsoft 365, OneNote, and Visual C++ appear in the installed programs list, likely due to a mix of preinstalled components and remnants.

Before you start

Before making changes to your installed programs, verify which Microsoft account is associated with your active subscription and create a Windows System Restore point.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall Duplicates via Windows Settings

Safely remove duplicate or preinstalled Office applications using the built-in Windows application manager.

Windows often restores preinstalled applications after a system reset. You can manually remove the versions you do not need while keeping your primary activated installation.

Open Installed Apps

Click the Start menu, go to Settings, select 'Apps' from the left sidebar, and click on 'Installed apps' (or 'Programs and Features' in the Control Panel).

Locate Duplicate Entries

Type 'Microsoft 365' or 'OneNote' in the search bar at the top of the app list to filter the installed programs.

Uninstall the App

Click the three dots (...) next to the duplicate or preinstalled entry you wish to remove, select 'Uninstall', and follow the prompts.

Uninstall Duplicates via Windows Settings

Do not remove Visual C++: Leave all Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables installed. Even if they appear as duplicates, various applications on your system depend on specific versions to function correctly.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Use Microsoft's official cleanup tool to completely wipe stubborn remnants of previous Office installations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Installation Clutter with WPS Office

Tired of managing multiple Microsoft 365 installations, background updates, and confusing duplicate apps? WPS Office offers a single, lightweight suite that handles Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files seamlessly without bloating your system.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free, unified setup file.
2. Install in One Click: Run the installer to get the entire suite in one streamlined application, avoiding the risk of duplicate app installations.
3. Open Your Files: Double-click any existing Microsoft Office document to open it seamlessly in WPS Office.

All-in-one suite: No separate cluttered apps for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Ultra-lightweight installation under 200MB.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have multiple Microsoft 365 installations after resetting Windows?

This usually happens because device manufacturers include a preinstalled version of Microsoft 365 in the default Windows image. When you reinstall Windows and then manually download your own copy of Office, both versions appear in your app list.

Should I uninstall multiple versions of Microsoft Visual C++?

No. It is highly recommended to leave all Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables installed. Different software programs on your computer rely on specific years and architectures (x86 or x64) of Visual C++ to run properly.

Will uninstalling duplicate Office apps delete my documents?

No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 or OneNote applications only removes the software files. Your personal Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents saved on your local drive or OneDrive will remain safe and intact.

Installation & Activation