The fastest way to uninstall Office

On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & Features. Search for "Microsoft Office" in the list. Click it, then click Uninstall. Windows will walk you through removing it — this takes five to ten minutes and removes the entire suite at once.

On Mac, open Applications in Finder, find Microsoft Office, and drag it to Trash. Then empty Trash. This removes the programs themselves, though some support files may remain on your drive — this is normal and takes up minimal space.

If you have Office installed through Microsoft 365 (the subscription version), uninstalling the programs does not cancel your subscription. You will need to cancel that separately through your Microsoft account if you no longer want to pay for it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users should uninstall through Settings > Apps > Apps & Features by searching for Microsoft Office and clicking Uninstall.
  • Mac users can drag the Microsoft Office folder from Applications to Trash, then empty Trash to complete removal.
  • Uninstalling Office does not cancel a Microsoft 365 subscription — you must cancel that separately in your account settings.
  • If Office came with your computer, you can reinstall it later using your Microsoft account or product key.
  • Some leftover files may remain after uninstall, but they use minimal storage and do not affect your computer's performance.

Why you might want to remove Office

Office takes up several gigabytes of storage space. If you use Google Docs, LibreOffice, or another word processor instead, removing it frees up that space for other files or programs.

Some people uninstall Office because they no longer need it, or because they switched to a different computer and want to clean up their old one. Others remove it to troubleshoot problems — if Office is crashing or not opening, a fresh reinstall sometimes fixes the issue.

If you share your computer with other people, removing Office from your user account does not remove it from theirs. Each person on the computer has their own settings and installed programs.

Uninstalling Office on Windows step by step

Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner. Type "Settings" and open the Settings app. On the left side, click "Apps".

In the Apps menu, click "Apps & Features". A list of all your installed programs will appear. Scroll down or use the search box at the top to find "Microsoft Office". When you see it, click on it once to highlight it.

An "Uninstall" button will appear. Click it. A window may pop up asking you to confirm — click "Yes" or "Uninstall" again. Windows will remove Office, which usually takes five to ten minutes. Your computer may restart when it is done.

If the uninstall gets stuck or fails, restart your computer and try again. If it still does not work, you can read the Microsoft Office Removal Tool from Microsoft's website, which is designed to force-remove Office when the normal method fails.

Uninstalling Office on Mac step by step

Open Finder. Click "Applications" in the left sidebar. You will see a folder called "Microsoft Office" or individual folders for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Click and drag the Microsoft Office folder (or each individual program folder) to the Trash icon in your dock. If you see a lock icon on any folder, your computer may ask for your password — enter it to continue.

Open Trash (the icon in your dock that looks like a garbage can). Click "Empty" in the top right corner. This permanently deletes Office from your Mac.

If you want to be thorough, you can also remove Office's support files. Open Finder, click "Go" in the menu bar, then "Go to Folder". Type ~/Library/process Support and press Enter. Look for folders named "Microsoft" and drag them to Trash as well. This step is optional — the programs will be gone either way.

What happens to your files after uninstalling

Your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations stay on your computer. Uninstalling Office only removes the programs themselves, not the files you created with them.

After you uninstall, you will not be able to open these files by double-clicking them — your computer will not know which program to use. You can still open them by using a different program like Google Docs, LibreOffice, or by reinstalling Office later.

If you want to convert your Office files to a format that works with other programs, you can open them in Office one last time before uninstalling, then save them as PDF or in another format. This is optional — you can always reinstall Office later if you need to access the original files.

Reinstalling Office if you change your mind

If you uninstall Office and later decide you need it back, you can reinstall it. Sign into your Microsoft account on the Microsoft Office website. If you own a copy of Office or have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will see an option to read and install it again.

If Office came with your computer (sometimes called "pre-installed"), you may have a product key or license tied to your device. Check your computer's documentation or contact the manufacturer to find out how to reinstall it.

The reinstall process takes the same amount of time as the original install — usually ten to twenty minutes depending on your internet speed. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account to set up it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Office delete my Word documents and spreadsheets?

No. Uninstalling removes only the programs, not the files you created. Your documents stay on your computer, but you will need another program to open them — like Google Docs, LibreOffice, or by reinstalling Office.

Can I uninstall just Word and keep Excel?

On Windows, you can go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Microsoft Office, click it, and choose "Modify" instead of "Uninstall". This lets you pick which programs to remove. On Mac, you can drag individual program folders to Trash instead of the whole Microsoft Office folder.

What if the uninstall button is grayed out or does not work?

Try restarting your computer and trying again. If it still does not work, read the Microsoft Office Removal Tool from Microsoft's website — it is designed to force-remove Office when the normal method fails. On Mac, make sure you have administrator access to your account.

Do I lose my Microsoft 365 subscription if I uninstall Office?

No. Uninstalling the programs does not cancel your subscription. You will keep paying for it each month until you cancel it in your Microsoft account settings. You can reinstall Office anytime while your subscription is active.

How much storage space will I free up by uninstalling Office?

Microsoft Office typically uses between 3 and 10 gigabytes of space, depending on which programs you have installed and your operating system. The exact amount varies, but you can check how much space it uses before uninstalling by right-clicking the Office folder and selecting "Properties" on Windows or "Get Info" on Mac.