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How to Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Defender on Mac
Question details
The user needs to completely remove Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Defender from macOS Sonoma without leaving supporting components or residual files behind.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Defender
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma
- Scenario
- Removing Microsoft applications completely from a Mac ecosystem.
- Observed behavior
- Dragging applications directly to the Finder Trash leaves supporting background components active, requiring specific terminal scripts and library cleanups for a clean uninstallation.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Mac and completely quit all running Microsoft applications from the Dock before proceeding with the uninstallation.
Uninstall Microsoft Defender using macOS Terminal
Use the official Microsoft Defender Terminal script to completely remove the application and its background supporting components.
Because Microsoft Defender installs system-level extensions and background services on macOS, simply dragging the application to the Trash will not remove it completely. You must run the dedicated uninstallation script via Terminal.
Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities, and double-click Terminal to launch it.
Type or paste the following command exactly: sudo '/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Defender/uninstall/uninstall' and press Return.
When prompted, enter your macOS administrator password. Note that keystrokes will not be visible in Terminal as you type.
Wait for the uninstallation script to complete successfully, then restart your Mac to finalize the removal of all background components.
Uninstall Microsoft 365 (Office for Mac) completely
Follow the manual steps to remove Microsoft 365 applications and their associated system library files.
Switch to WPS Office for Mac
If you are uninstalling Microsoft 365 due to expensive subscription renewals or bulky software, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative tailored for macOS.
- 1. Download the Mac Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the latest free version for macOS.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Existing Files: Double-click any previously created Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document to open it instantly in WPS Office with formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I simply drag Microsoft Defender to the Trash to uninstall it?
No. Moving Microsoft Defender to the Trash from Finder only deletes the application interface. The background security components and system extensions will remain active on your Mac. You must use the Terminal uninstall script for complete removal.
What happens to my Word and Excel documents when I uninstall Microsoft 365?
Your personal files and documents remain perfectly safe on your Mac's hard drive. Uninstalling the application only removes the software itself. You can continue to access and edit these files using alternative office suites like WPS Office.
Why does Terminal say 'command not found' when I try to uninstall Defender?
This error occurs if the Microsoft Defender uninstallation script is missing from its expected path (/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Defender/uninstall/). This usually happens if the application was previously moved, partially deleted, or installed in a custom directory.
