How to Remove Virtual DVD Drives Left by Microsoft Office Installation
Question details
The user needs to remove virtual DVD drives that keep reappearing after attempting to install or uninstall Microsoft Office.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021 / Office 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to install Office 2021 from a disk image or clean up pre-installed Office 365 files added by motherboard utilities.
- Observed behavior
- Virtual DVD drives reappear after a system restart, causing installation errors and preventing a clean setup.
Before proceeding, ensure you have an active internet connection and temporarily disable any third-party security software or motherboard utilities that might be configured to automatically mount image files on startup.
Manually Eject the Mounted Virtual Drive
If the virtual drive is simply a mounted ISO or image file from a recent installation attempt, you can easily unmount it using File Explorer.
Windows allows you to mount disk image files (like ISOs) as virtual DVD drives. Sometimes, these drives remain mounted even after the installation is complete or interrupted.
Press the Windows key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer, then click on 'This PC' in the left navigation pane.
Find the virtual DVD drive that corresponds to your Microsoft Office installation under the 'Devices and drives' section.
Right-click the virtual DVD drive and select 'Eject' from the context menu. The drive should disappear from the list.
Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
Run Microsoft's official troubleshooting tool to completely remove conflicting Office files and stop virtual drives from reappearing.
Check Motherboard Utilities and Security Software
Prevent bundled OEM software or overzealous security programs from automatically remounting the Office installation images.
Install WPS Office to Avoid Complex Installation Issues
Skip the frustrating virtual drives, persistent installation errors, and heavy resource usage. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that installs in seconds without creating virtual drives, while remaining fully compatible with your existing Office files.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the lightweight installer.
- 2. Run the Setup: Double-click the downloaded file to launch the setup wizard. The installation completes in just a few clicks.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and instantly view, edit, or create your documents with full Microsoft Office compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do virtual DVD drives keep reappearing after I restart my PC?
This usually happens when a background application, such as a motherboard utility, a third-party security program, or a virtual drive manager, is configured to automatically remount the Office installation image (.iso) every time Windows boots up.
Should I edit the Windows Registry to forcefully remove the virtual drives?
No, it is highly recommended to avoid modifying the registry manually for this issue. Incorrect registry edits can lead to system instability or boot failures. Always use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant or the standard File Explorer eject function.
How do I properly install Office 2021 from a disk image without leaving a virtual drive?
After downloading the official ISO file, right-click it and select 'Mount' to begin the installation. Once the installation is completely finished, open File Explorer, right-click the newly created virtual DVD drive, and select 'Eject' to safely unmount it before restarting your computer.
Can third-party antivirus software cause Office installation issues?
Yes, some strict security programs may intercept the installation process or lock the mounted image files, preventing them from being unmounted properly. Temporarily disabling the antivirus software during the unmounting or cleanup process often resolves the issue.
