Office for Mac Issues

Fix: Cannot Remove Admin-Managed Word Add-ins on Mac

Maira Mehtab Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to remove or disable certain Word add-ins on Mac because they are listed under the Admin Managed section rather than My Add-ins.

Fix: Cannot Remove Admin-Managed Word Add-ins on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to clean up, disable, or uninstall unwanted Word add-ins like Reworks or Mendeley Cite.
Observed behavior: The add-ins remain active and cannot be removed via standard menus, library file deletion, or Office reinstallation due to organizational policies locking them.

Before you start

Before attempting to remove these add-ins, verify your Microsoft 365 license type by navigating to Word > About Microsoft Word, and check if your Mac is connected to an organization or school account.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

The most common reason add-ins are locked under 'Admin Managed' is that they are enforced by your organization's IT policies.

Admin-managed add-ins are deployed centrally via the Microsoft 365 admin center. Standard user accounts do not have the necessary permissions to bypass or delete these deployment policies, even if you reinstall the software or delete user library files.

Identify your IT administrator

Determine who manages your Microsoft 365 account. This is usually your company's IT department or your school's technical support desk.

Request removal of the add-in

Contact the administrator and request the removal of the specific add-in assignments or deployment policies for your user account.

Restart Microsoft Word

Once the administrator confirms the policy has been updated or removed, close and reopen Microsoft Word on your Mac to sync the latest configuration.

Important Note: Changes made by your Microsoft 365 administrator may take up to 24 hours to propagate across all devices connected to your account.

Solution 2

Check for the Native Remove Option

In some organizational setups, you may still have permission to manually remove an admin-deployed add-in if the policy allows user overrides.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Bloat-Free Experience

If you are tired of restricted, admin-managed settings forcing unwanted add-ins onto your Mac, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative. Enjoy full control over your software without compromising on compatibility.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents to enjoy a clean, unrestricted editing environment.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).No forced organizational add-ins or restrictive admin policies.Lightweight design optimized for macOS performance.Familiar user interface ensures a seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Word add-ins showing as Admin Managed?

This occurs when your Microsoft 365 account or Mac device is linked to an organization, such as a school or workplace. The IT administrator centrally deploys these add-ins to all users in the network, overriding individual control.

Can I remove these add-ins by reinstalling Word for Mac?

No. Because these add-ins are tied to your Microsoft 365 account and cloud-based organizational policies, reinstalling the software or deleting local library files will not remove them.

Where can I find my Office version and license type on a Mac?

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Word'. A window will appear displaying your current version number and the specific license type associated with your account.

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