Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

How to Uninstall Unused Microsoft Office Applications on Windows

Amos Gikunda Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to remove Microsoft Office from their computer to save storage space and avoid expensive annual subscription fees.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: The user is paying a high annual fee for Microsoft 365 but only needs basic document editing capabilities, prompting them to uninstall the suite and seek alternatives.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Office occupies significant disk space and requires a paid subscription, making it unnecessary for users who only need lightweight, free document editing tools.

Before you start

Before uninstalling Microsoft Office, ensure you have an alternative office suite ready if you still need to open or edit documents, and verify that any important Outlook emails or local PST files are backed up.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall Microsoft Office via Windows Settings

The standard and most direct method to completely remove the Microsoft Office suite from your Windows 10 computer.

Windows 10 includes a built-in application manager that allows you to safely uninstall software. Using this method ensures that the program is removed using its official uninstaller.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, then click the gear-shaped 'Settings' icon.

Navigate to Apps

In the Windows Settings window, click on the 'Apps' category, which will open the 'Apps & features' menu by default.

Locate Microsoft Office

Scroll down the list of installed applications or use the search bar to find 'Microsoft Office' or 'Microsoft 365'.

Uninstall the Application

Click on the Microsoft Office entry, select 'Uninstall', and then click 'Uninstall' again to confirm. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.

Uninstallation Complete: Once the process finishes, you may be prompted to restart your computer. Restarting ensures all residual registry files and background processes are completely cleared.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)

Use this official Microsoft removal tool if the standard uninstallation method fails or leaves residual files behind.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Documents for Free with WPS Office

If you uninstalled Microsoft Office to save money or storage space, WPS Office is the perfect free, lightweight alternative. It offers a familiar interface, uses a fraction of your disk space, and lets you easily edit your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without the heavy $70 annual price tag.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and run the setup.
2. Open Your Files: Double-click any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document to open it instantly in WPS Office.
3. Edit and Save: Make your changes using familiar tools and save directly in Microsoft formats for seamless sharing.

Completely free to use without expensive annual subscriptionsHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight installation saves valuable PC storage spaceFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Microsoft Office delete my personal documents?

No, your personal Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) files will remain safely on your hard drive. Uninstalling the software only removes the application used to open them. You will just need a free alternative like WPS Office to view and edit them.

Can I uninstall just one Office app, like PowerPoint, but keep Word?

For newer versions like Microsoft 365 and Office 2016 or later, all applications are bundled as a single 'Click-to-Run' suite. This means you cannot uninstall them individually; you must uninstall or keep the entire package.

What happens to my OneDrive files if I remove Office?

Your files will remain safely stored in the cloud on your Microsoft OneDrive account. You can still access them through a web browser or by keeping the OneDrive desktop application synced on your PC.

How do I open .docx files after removing Microsoft Word?

Once Microsoft Word is uninstalled, you can install a free office suite like WPS Office. During installation, it will automatically associate itself with .docx files, allowing you to double-click and open them just like you did before.

Installation & Activation