Why Microsoft Office 2016 Uses Several Gigabytes of Disk Space
Question details
The user is concerned about Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 taking up a large amount of disk space and whether to delete duplicate Start menu shortcuts.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- A user with a small 96 GB system drive wants to understand why Office consumes so much storage and how to properly handle duplicate application icons.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2016 occupies several gigabytes of space, and duplicate Office application entries are appearing in the Windows Start menu.
Before attempting to remove any programs, check your available disk space in 'This PC' and verify your official Office license source with your organization.
Identify and Remove Duplicate Office Installations
Use the Windows settings to verify if multiple versions of Office are installed and safely remove the redundant ones.
Duplicate Start menu entries often mean that you have multiple Office products installed, rather than just extra shortcuts. Removing the actual redundant program is the only way to free up disk space.
Click on the Start menu and select 'Settings' (the gear icon), then click on 'Apps' to view installed applications.
Scroll through the 'Apps & features' list or use the search box to type 'Office'. Look at the listed versions and installation dates.
If you see older versions or unintended duplicate Office installations, click on the application name and select 'Uninstall'.
Free Up System Disk Space
Clear cached installation files and temporary data to recover space on small system drives.
Switch to WPS Office to Save Disk Space
If Microsoft Office 2016 is taking up too much of your 96 GB drive, WPS Office is the perfect lightweight alternative. It requires significantly less disk space while maintaining high compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Existing Files: Double-click your existing Microsoft Office files to open and edit them seamlessly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 2016 take up so much disk space?
Office 2016 includes heavy application files, shared components, frequent software updates, language packs, and cached installation files that are saved on your drive for future updates or repairs.
Does OneDrive come bundled with Office 2016?
No, OneDrive is a separate application. While it is heavily integrated into Windows 10 and comes bundled with Microsoft 365, it is not part of the standard Office 2016 local installation.
Will deleting duplicate Start menu shortcuts free up my hard drive?
No. Start menu shortcuts are just tiny link files. Deleting them does not remove the actual program files or free up meaningful disk space. You must uninstall the program via Settings or Control Panel.
Is a 96 GB system drive enough for Windows 10 and Microsoft Office?
A 96 GB drive is considered very small. While it meets the bare minimum requirements, it will fill up quickly with system updates, cached files, and standard software, often requiring regular cleanup or a storage upgrade.
