Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

Why Are There Two Microsoft 365 Installations on My Computer?

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user noticed two separate Microsoft 365 entries in the installed apps list and wants to understand why both appear and if one can be safely removed.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing installed applications and deciding whether to clean up duplicate Microsoft 365 entries.
Observed behavior: Two distinct Microsoft 365 entries are visible in the installed applications list, typically differing significantly in file size.

Before you start

Check the file size of both Microsoft 365 entries in your installed apps list before attempting to uninstall either of them.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify and Safely Remove the Web Portal App

Determine which installation is the desktop suite and which is the web shortcut to safely remove the unnecessary portal app.

When you see two Microsoft 365 entries, the larger one is the full desktop suite containing your primary applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The smaller entry is usually a web portal app or shortcut created automatically by Windows. Uninstalling this smaller web portal app will not harm your desktop applications or your files.

Open Installed Apps

Navigate to your system's settings and open the 'Installed apps' or 'Apps & features' list.

Compare File Sizes

Locate the two Microsoft 365 entries. Note the size of each; identify the smaller entry (often just a few megabytes or kilobytes) as the web portal app.

Uninstall the Web Portal

Click the menu icon or right-click next to the smaller Microsoft 365 entry and select 'Uninstall' to remove it.

Desktop Apps Remain Unaffected: Removing the web portal shortcut does not delete or alter your actual Microsoft Office desktop applications.

Solution 2

Restore the Microsoft 365 Web Portal App

If you accidentally deleted the web portal app or want to install it on another computer, you can easily reinstall it from the store.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Streamlined Experience

If managing multiple Microsoft 365 installations is confusing or consuming too much space, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a single, unified application for your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer.
2. Install the Suite: Run the single installation file to get the complete, all-in-one office suite on your device.
3. Manage Documents: Open WPS Office and easily handle all your document types from one centralized workspace.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).All-in-one lightweight installation, saving valuable disk space.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface.No duplicate web portal apps or confusing background installations.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling the smaller Microsoft 365 app delete my documents?

No, the smaller app is simply a shortcut to the web portal. Uninstalling it does not affect your saved documents, files, or your full desktop applications.

Why did the Microsoft 365 web portal app appear on my computer automatically?

Windows updates or the Microsoft Edge browser sometimes automatically install or pin this portal app as a convenient shortcut to Microsoft's online services.

Can I use the web portal app without having the desktop suite installed?

Yes, the web portal app allows you to access the free online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through your Microsoft account without needing the heavy desktop installation.

How can I be absolutely sure which Microsoft 365 version is the desktop app?

Look closely at the file size listed in the installed apps menu. The complete desktop suite will typically be several gigabytes in size, whereas the web portal app is usually under 10 megabytes.

Installation & Activation