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How to Uninstall Microsoft 365 or Office Without Losing Documents
Question details
The user needs to safely uninstall Microsoft 365 or Office due to application errors without deleting their personal documents.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Resolving startup failures in Word or Outlook, and duplicate document instance errors in Excel, by performing a clean software uninstallation.
- Observed behavior
- Word and Outlook fail to start, or Excel reports errors like 30068-44 (1084) and 30084-25, necessitating a software reinstallation.
Although uninstalling Office applications does not automatically delete your personal files, it is highly recommended to back up your important documents to an external drive or cloud storage before proceeding with the uninstallation.
Use the Microsoft Office Uninstall Support Tool
This official tool completely removes all traces of Microsoft 365 or Office from your PC without affecting your personal documents.
Using the official Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool is the safest method to resolve errors like 30068-44 (1084) or 30084-25, as it ensures a clean removal of corrupted application files.
Navigate to the official Microsoft download link (https://aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC) in your web browser to download the Office uninstall support tool.
Locate the downloaded file and double-click it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the Support and Recovery Assistant.
Once the tool opens, choose the specific version of Microsoft 365 or Office that you want to remove from the provided list and click 'Next'.
Allow the tool to process the uninstallation. When prompted, restart your computer. The tool may automatically reopen after the restart to finalize the removal process.
Switch to WPS Office: A Free and Reliable Alternative
If you are tired of dealing with Microsoft 365 installation errors and startup crashes, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a seamless experience for all your document needs without heavy resource usage.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly, with full format retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my Word or Excel files?
No. Uninstalling Microsoft 365 or Office only removes the application files from your computer. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved on your local drive or OneDrive remain completely unaffected.
How do I reinstall Microsoft 365 after using the uninstall tool?
Once your PC has restarted and the uninstallation is complete, you can reinstall Microsoft 365 by signing into your Microsoft account (or your organization's portal) via your web browser, and selecting 'Install Office' from your account dashboard.
What should I do if the uninstall support tool doesn't work?
If the Microsoft uninstall support tool fails, you can manually uninstall the Office suite. Open the Windows 'Control Panel', navigate to 'Programs and Features', right-click your Microsoft Office installation, and select 'Uninstall'.
