How to Remove Visio 2016 Using an Office Deployment Configuration File
Question details
The user needs to uninstall Microsoft Visio Standard 2016 using an Office configuration XML file and PowerShell script without removing other installed Office applications.
- Product
- Microsoft Visio 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Automating the uninstallation of Visio 2016 across devices using PowerShell and the Office Deployment Tool without disrupting the existing Office suite.
- Observed behavior
- Attempts to remove only Visio through PowerShell using a configuration XML file often fail or risk affecting other Office applications that must remain installed.
Ensure you have administrator privileges to run PowerShell scripts and verify your exact Visio 2016 Product ID (e.g., VisioStdRetail or VisioProRetail) before modifying the configuration XML file.
Configure the ODT XML File for Visio Removal
Create a specific XML configuration file utilizing the Remove element to target only Visio 2016, and execute it via the Office Deployment Tool.
When managing Office Click-to-Run installations, the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) can be used to remove specific products by using the <Remove> element in the configuration file. It is critical to specify the exact Visio Product ID so that the setup engine does not mistakenly uninstall the primary Office suite.
Open a text editor and create a new XML file (e.g., remove-visio.xml). Structure the file to include the <Remove> node, specifying the exact Product ID for your Visio 2016 installation.
Launch PowerShell as an administrator, navigate to the directory containing your Office Deployment Tool and the XML file, and run the command: .\setup.exe /configure remove-visio.xml.
If the script fails to remove Visio or returns an error, navigate to your %temp% folder in Windows and open the corresponding machine name log file to identify configuration syntax errors.
Escalate to Microsoft Online Support
If standard configuration files fail to isolate Visio for uninstallation, engage support for advanced log analysis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does removing Visio with ODT sometimes affect other Office apps?
By default, modern Office applications share the same Click-to-Run installation engine and core files. If the XML configuration file is not strictly defined using the <Remove> element for just the Visio Product ID, the Office Deployment Tool may attempt to modify or uninstall the entire shared Office suite.
Can I just uninstall Visio 2016 from Programs and Features?
Yes, Visio 2016 can be manually uninstalled by going to Control Panel > Programs and Features, selecting Microsoft Visio, and clicking Uninstall. However, this manual method is typically avoided by IT administrators who need to automate the removal across multiple devices using scripts.
What is the correct Product ID for Visio 2016 in the XML file?
For Visio Standard 2016, the Product ID is typically VisioStdXVolume or VisioStdRetail. For Visio Professional 2016, it is VisioProXVolume or VisioProRetail. You must verify the specific license and edition type you initially deployed to ensure the removal script targets the correct application.
