How to Stop OneNote and Online Office Apps from Installing in Microsoft 365
Question details
The user wants to customize the Microsoft 365 installation to exclude legacy OneNote and ensure that Office shortcuts in the Start menu open local desktop applications rather than web-based online apps.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing Microsoft 365 desktop client and organizing Windows Start menu shortcuts.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 automatically installs all bundled apps including legacy OneNote without offering opt-out checkboxes, and Windows default shortcuts frequently launch the online versions of Office apps.
Note that the standard Microsoft 365 consumer installer uses a 'Click-to-Run' architecture that packages all applications together, leaving users with no built-in wizard to exclude specific apps. Customizing this requires administrative tools.
Use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to Exclude OneNote
Bypass the standard installer by using Microsoft's command-line deployment tool to explicitly block OneNote from installing.
Because the default Microsoft 365 installer forces an all-or-nothing installation, advanced users can use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT). This enterprise-grade tool relies on an XML configuration file to dictate exactly which applications get installed on your device.
Visit the official Microsoft Download Center, download the Office Deployment Tool, and extract the files to a new folder on your computer (e.g., C:\ODT).
Go to the Office Customization Tool website (config.office.com). Under the 'Apps' section of the deployment settings, toggle the switch for 'OneNote' to 'Off'.
Finish the remaining language and architecture settings, then click 'Export'. Save the resulting 'configuration.xml' file into the same folder where you extracted the ODT.
Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator. Navigate to your ODT folder by typing 'cd C:\ODT'. Run the command 'setup.exe /configure configuration.xml' to start the installation without OneNote.
Replace Online Web Shortcuts with Desktop App Shortcuts
Manually clear out the pre-installed web-app links from your Start menu and replace them with direct shortcuts to your installed desktop software.
Submit Official Feedback to Microsoft
Since community forums cannot alter how Microsoft 365 packages its installations, providing direct product feedback is the official route to request customizable installers.
Switch to a Lightweight Desktop-First Office Suite
Tired of forced online apps and bulky installations? WPS Office provides a streamlined, desktop-native experience without forcing unwanted bloatware on your system. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Microsoft formats in a single, lightweight application.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free, lightweight installer package.
- 2. Install Customization: Run the installer. WPS installs seamlessly as a unified desktop application without cluttering your system with hidden legacy software.
- 3. Set Default Apps: Open WPS Office and easily set it as your default desktop program for all standard Office file formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Office Start menu shortcuts open in a web browser?
Windows 10 and 11 often come pre-installed with the 'Microsoft 365' (formerly Office) Progressive Web App (PWA). Clicking these default shortcuts routes you to Office.com instead of your local desktop applications. You must manually pin the actual desktop app executables (.exe) to fix this.
Can I uninstall just OneNote after Microsoft 365 is already installed?
No. Standard Microsoft 365 Click-to-Run installations treat the entire suite as a single program. You cannot uninstall individual applications like OneNote or Access through the Windows Control Panel. You must completely uninstall Microsoft 365 and reinstall it using the Office Deployment Tool to exclude specific apps.
How do I force Windows to open Office files with desktop apps instead of the web?
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default Apps. Scroll down to 'Choose default apps by file type'. Locate file extensions like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, and change their default association from the browser or the 'Microsoft 365' web app to the local Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint desktop application.
