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How to Remove Individual Applications from Microsoft 365 Apps
Question details
The user needs to remove or exclude specific individual applications, such as Publisher or Skype for Business, from a Microsoft 365 suite installation.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Apps
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Customizing the Microsoft 365 installation to save disk space or restrict access to unnecessary applications.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 installs as a bundled suite by default, and individual applications cannot be removed through standard Windows settings or the Control Panel.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows computer and download the latest version of the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) from the official Microsoft Download Center.
Use the Office Deployment Tool to Exclude Applications
Configure an XML file with the Office Deployment Tool to specifically exclude unwanted applications during or after installation.
Because Microsoft 365 Apps installs as a complete suite, you must use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) paired with a customized configuration file to modify the installed components.
By adding the ExcludeApp element to your Configuration.xml file, you can tell the installer to skip or remove specific programs.
Download the Office Deployment Tool from Microsoft and run the executable to extract the setup.exe and sample configuration files to a folder on your computer.
Open the configuration file in Notepad. Inside the <Product> element, add the exclusion tag for the app you want to remove. For example: <ExcludeApp ID="Publisher" />.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator, navigate to the folder containing your ODT files, and execute the command: setup.exe /configure configuration.xml.
Generate a Custom XML via the Office Customization Tool
If manually editing the XML file causes installation failures, use the web-based Office Customization Tool to generate a clean configuration.
Switch to WPS Office for a Lightweight, All-in-One Experience
Tired of managing complicated Microsoft 365 deployment tools and bloated suite installations? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative that installs in seconds and includes Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation in one seamless application. No complex XML configurations required.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free, unified installation package.
- 2. Install in seconds: Run the downloaded file to quickly install the entire suite without needing any customized deployment tools.
- 3. Edit your documents: Open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office to continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove OneDrive from Microsoft 365 Apps?
Yes. You can exclude OneDrive from your installation by adding <ExcludeApp ID="OneDrive" /> to your configuration file before running the Office Deployment Tool.
Will using the ExcludeApp command delete my existing documents?
No, removing an application like Publisher or Access using the Office Deployment Tool only removes the software application itself. Your previously created documents and files remain safely stored on your device.
How do I reinstall an application I previously excluded?
To restore an application, open your configuration.xml file, delete the specific <ExcludeApp ID="App_Name" /> line for that program, and rerun the Office Deployment Tool setup command.
Why can't I just uninstall Publisher from the Control Panel?
Microsoft 365 Apps is engineered to install and update as a single, unified package under standard Windows settings. Individual applications are bundled together, requiring administrative tools like the ODT to separate them.
