Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

Should You Uninstall the Microsoft Office Trial Before Installing a New Version?

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is necessary to uninstall a preinstalled Microsoft Office trial before installing a different licensed version, and whether manual deletion of folders like 'Office 16' is required.

Should You Uninstall the Office Trial Before Installing Another Version?

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Setting up a new laptop and preparing to install a purchased Microsoft Office license (like Office 2021 or Microsoft 365) over a factory-installed trial version.
Observed behavior: Users are unsure if leaving the trial version or shared folders (like the Office 16 directory) will cause activation conflicts or installation errors for their new licensed product.

Before you start

Before removing the trial applications, ensure you have the product key or the correct Microsoft account credentials for the new Office version you intend to install.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall the Trial via Windows Settings

The standard and safest method to remove a preinstalled Microsoft Office trial to prevent activation conflicts with your new license.

It is highly recommended to remove any trial versions of Office before installing a newly purchased edition. Having multiple versions installed simultaneously often leads to license confusion, activation errors, and default application conflicts.

Open Windows Apps Settings

Click the Start menu, select Settings (the gear icon), and navigate to Apps > Apps & features (or Installed apps in Windows 11).

Locate the Office Trial

Scroll down the list or use the search bar to find 'Microsoft Office Desktop Apps', 'Microsoft 365', or the specific preinstalled trial version.

Uninstall the Application

Click on the application name (or the three dots next to it) and select 'Uninstall'. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal.

Restart Your Computer

Once the uninstallation is complete, reboot your computer to ensure all background services are terminated and registry changes are applied.

Install the Licensed Version

Log in to your official Microsoft account, navigate to your subscriptions or purchases page, and download the setup file for your newly licensed Office product.

Uninstall the Trial via Windows Settings

Do Not Manually Delete the Office 16 Folder: The 'Office 16' folder name does not exclusively identify a specific license. Both Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 use Office 16 components. Manual deletion is unnecessary and can corrupt your new installation.

Solution 2

Use the Microsoft Office Uninstall Troubleshooter

Use this official tool if standard uninstallation fails or if remnants of the trial cause activation issues for your new installation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to manually delete the 'Office 16' folder after uninstalling the trial?

No, you should not manually delete the Office 16 folder. Multiple Microsoft Office versions, including Microsoft 365 and Office 2021, share components stored in this directory. Let the standard uninstaller handle file removal to avoid corrupting future installations.

Will uninstalling the Microsoft Office trial delete my existing Word or Excel documents?

No, uninstalling the Microsoft Office application only removes the software files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are saved locally on your hard drive and will remain completely intact.

Can I keep the trial and install my new Office version alongside it?

It is highly discouraged. Running multiple versions of Office on the same computer can cause default application conflicts, activation errors, and system instability. Always uninstall the trial before installing your purchased edition.

What if my new Office installation still asks me to subscribe to Microsoft 365?

This happens if trial registry keys were left behind. You will need to use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) to perform a deep clean of the leftover trial licenses, restart your PC, and reactivate your new product.

Installation & Activation