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How to Remove Office 2021 When Office LTSC 2024 Remains Installed
Question details
The user needs to completely remove Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 to prevent it from overriding and automatically activating over a new Microsoft Office LTSC Standard 2024 installation.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows 11 64-bit
- Scenario
- Upgrading or transitioning from Office 2021 to Office LTSC 2024 on the same machine.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2021 components, licensing, and Click-to-Run files persist, causing Office 2021 to remain the dominant application and activate automatically even after LTSC 2024 is installed and the product key is entered.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer and keep your Office LTSC 2024 product key or account details ready for reactivation after the clean-up.
Use Microsoft's Official Uninstall Support Tool
The most reliable method to remove stubborn Click-to-Run components and hidden licensing files that cause previous Office versions to reactivate.
Standard uninstallation from the Windows Settings app often leaves behind licensing tokens and registry entries. Microsoft provides a dedicated Support and Recovery Assistant tool to completely wipe these residual files.
Visit the official Microsoft Support page for manually uninstalling Office and download the Office Uninstall Support Tool.
Launch the downloaded tool, select 'Office Professional Plus 2021' from the list of detected products, and click Next.
Follow the on-screen prompts to completely wipe the installation, restart your computer when prompted, and then perform a clean installation of Office LTSC Standard 2024.
Manual Removal via Registry and System Folders
If the automated tool fails, you can manually delete leftover Office 15 or Office 16 folders and registry entries by strictly following verified Microsoft documentation.
Switch to WPS Office for a Conflict-Free Experience
Tired of dealing with lingering registry keys, complex Click-to-Run uninstallations, and licensing conflicts? WPS Office offers a lightweight, completely free alternative that installs smoothly and doesn't interfere with your system. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats without the installation headaches.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click Free Download.
- 2. Install the software: Run the lightweight installer file and follow the quick on-screen setup instructions.
- 3. Start working: Open WPS Office and instantly start editing your existing Microsoft Office files without any activation conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 2021 stay active even after I uninstall it from the Windows Apps menu?
Microsoft Office utilizes Click-to-Run components and hidden licensing tokens that frequently remain in your registry and system folders after a standard uninstallation. These leftover files cause the older version to automatically reactivate when a new version is installed.
Do I need to manually delete the Office 15 or Office 16 folders?
It is generally not recommended to manually delete these folders or scheduled tasks unless you are strictly following Microsoft's official manual uninstall guide. Incorrect deletions can corrupt your system's registry. It is safer to use the official Microsoft Uninstall Support Tool.
Can I run Office LTSC 2024 and Office 2021 on the same Windows 11 machine?
No, running multiple versions of Office that use Click-to-Run technology on the same computer can cause severe activation, licensing, and operational conflicts. You must completely remove the older version before installing the new one.
