How to Remove Office 2021 When Microsoft 365 is Also Installed on Windows

Before applying fixes, users must confirm that both Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 coexist on their system. Having dual installations often leads to errors when opening Word or Excel files

Identifying the Conflict Between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 on Windows

Use the same platform and signed-in context described here before continuing: To completely resolve the issue, you must remove the residual Office 2021 product key using the Command Prompt before running the standard Windows uninstaller. Primary Steps: Step Action Command / Path 1 Sign out of all Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook). Close all running background instances. N/A 2 Type "CMD" in the Windows search box, right-click

Step-by-Step Solution: How to remove Office 2021 when Office 365 is also installed

This Remove Office 2021 When Microsoft 365 is Also Installed on Windows procedure uses the controls available in XXXXX 6 Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps; complete each action before moving to the next.

1. To completely resolve the issue, you must remove the residual Office 2021 product key using the Command Prompt before running the standard Windows uninstaller. Primary Steps: Step Action Command / Path 1 Sign out of all Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook). Close all running background instances. N/A 2 Type "CMD" in the Windows search box, right-click
2. Cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:XXXXX 6 Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps , locate Office 2021, and click Uninstall . Ignore the prompt claiming it is removing Microsoft 365. Windows Settings > Installed apps > Uninstall 7 Restart your computer. Open a Word file, go to File > Account , and verify that only the Microsoft 365 subscription is active. Word
3. You need to first confirm whether both Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 software coexist on your computer
4. Right-click on Windows and select "Installed apps." Check for corresponding entries in the App list
5. If you see Office 2021 and Microsoft 365, then you need to uninstall the Office 2021 applications
6. Open a Office (such as Word file) > select File in the upper-left corner -> select Account

Alternative Method: Using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

• Why use this: SaRA performs a deep registry clean of all Office installations.
• Process: Download SaRA from the Microsoft website, select "Office & Office Apps", and choose the option to scrub all installed versions. Note: This will remove both Office 2021 and Microsoft 365. You will need to log into your Microsoft account afterward to cleanly reinstall Microsoft 365.

How to Verify the Microsoft 365 Result

Validate the change before closing the app: Open a Office (such as Word file) > select File in the upper-left corner -> select Account A different result usually means the wrong file, account, or CMD was used.

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Microsoft 365 FAQs About Remove Office 2021 When Microsoft 365 is Also Installed on Windows

Why does the Windows uninstaller say it is removing Microsoft 365 when I clicked on Office 2021?

The setup and uninstallation executable is a universal tool shared across modern Microsoft office products. The text prompt is a known visual glitch. As long as you clicked "Uninstall" on the specific Office 2021 entry in your app list, it will only remove that version.

Will removing Office 2021 delete my saved Word and Excel documents?

No. Uninstalling any version of Office only removes the application files used to open the documents. Your personal files, PDFs, and folders stored on your local drive or OneDrive remain completely safe and untouched.

Do I need to repair my Microsoft 365 installation after removing Office 2021?

Sometimes, removing the older version breaks default file associations (e.g., double-clicking a document doesn't open it). If this happens, go to Windows Settings > Installed apps > Microsoft 365, select "Modify", and run a "Quick Repair" to restore file associations.

How do I verify that the Office 2021 license is completely gone?

Open any application like Word or Excel, click on "File" in the top left corner, and navigate to "Account". Look under the "Product Information" section. If the removal was successful, it will only display your active Microsoft 365 subscription status.