MS Office uninstall - how much do I need to remove - and how?

Addlepate · Nov 26, 2025

Hi all,

I'm just setting up a new laptop which has / had an O365 trial loaded by the manufacturer. I don't want the 365 trial and have a perpetual licence version of Office. I uninstalled O365 via control panel but when I installed the perpetual licence version I got an activation error.

I think last time I did this I used the Office removal tool, but it seems that's no longer available. I've tried the current MS recommended approach using Get Help, but out of 8 or so tries I've only got it to run once and the uninstall process failed. I've tried the enterprise version of the removal tool (Support and Recovery Assistant) but that fails with an exit code [1]. I've tried following MS manual uninstall instructions but I'm obviously not doing it properly as I'm still finding files and folders, click to run still appears in task manager, and I'm seeing registry entries under HKLM>Software>Microsoft>Office, >OfficeCSP and >OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform. I can't delete those registry folders.

At this point I'm a bit stuck, don't want to throw anything at it randomly, and am wary of digging myself a hole. Just wondering what I really need to remove to ensure proper Office perpetual installation and activation, and how I go about it if these tools are all failing? Thanks.

Rollback_Jockey · Nov 26, 2025

Try REVO uninstaller

IanMosley · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
At this point I'm a bit stuck, don't want to throw anything at it randomly, and am wary of digging myself a hole. Just wondering what I really need to remove to ensure proper Office perpetual installation and activation, and how I go about it if these tools are all failing? Thanks.

Rollback_Jockey said:
Try REVO uninstaller

Revo Uninstaller

Try3 · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
MS Office uninstall - how much do I need to remove - and how?

I'd advise removing the whole lot.

These are the MS-suggested procedures:-
Uninstall Office from a PC - MSSupport
Manually uninstall Office apps - OfficeSupport

Then check in Settings, Apps lists that you have uninstalled every version of Office before then trying to install your own Office.

Denis

Addlepate · Nov 26, 2025

Rollback_Jockey said:
Try REVO uninstaller

IanMosley said:
Revo Uninstaller

Thanks. I'd looked at Revo as I'd seen it mentioned in other threads. There didn't seem to be a way of getting to the leftovers unless the app is still fully installed, but that was the free version.

I downloaded the pro version (trial) tonight and it seems I can get to the leftovers using forced uninstall? I haven't gone with it at the moment though as I'm a bit wary of an automated uninstaller poking deep into the registry. I'm also not sure whether it will remove registry folders / keys if I can't?

I did start the forced uninstall process and it found two click to run processes and lots of registry keys, haven't been brave enough to go through with registry deletions though!

Try3 said:
I'd advise removing the whole lot.

These are the MS-suggested procedures:-
Uninstall Office from a PC - MSSupport
Manually uninstall Office apps - OfficeSupport

Then check in Settings, Apps lists that you have uninstalled every version of Office before then trying to install your own Office.

Denis

I think that's where I'm heading, though finding it all is a mare. The first link is the one that takes you to control panel and the troubleshooter via Get Help which is what I tried. The second is a manual uninstall I hadn't seen before and seems more comprehensive.

Probably wait until I'm fresh in the morning to decide what to do, particularly if going the manual process.

OAT · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
Probably wait until I'm fresh in the morning to decide what to do, particularly if going the manual process.

I sure envy you; I have not been fresh in the morning since the early 80s. :crys:

IanMosley · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
I downloaded the pro version (trial) tonight and it seems I can get to the leftovers using forced uninstall? I haven't gone with it at the moment though as I'm a bit wary of an automated uninstaller poking deep into the registry. I'm also not sure whether it will remove registry folders / keys if I can't?

When you run Revo Uninstaller, select the 'Automatically delete all found leftovers' box -

When the uninstall is 'complete', hit the 'Scan' button -

There is NO need to use 'Forced Uninstall'

Addlepate · Nov 26, 2025

IanMosley said:
When you run Revo Uninstaller, select the 'Automatically delete all found leftovers' box -

When the uninstall is complete , hit the 'Scan' button -

There is NO need to use 'Forced Uninstall'

Doesn't that assume you're uninstalling from the app list though? If the app is part uninstalled already, you don't get those options? Or am I missing something?

Marcus Vinicus · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
Thanks. I'd looked at Revo as I'd seen it mentioned in other threads. There didn't seem to be a way of getting to the leftovers unless the app is still fully installed, but that was the free version.

I downloaded the pro version (trial) tonight and it seems I can get to the leftovers using forced uninstall? I haven't gone with it at the moment though as I'm a bit wary of an automated uninstaller poking deep into the registry. I'm also not sure whether it will remove registry folders / keys if I can't?

I did start the forced uninstall process and it found two click to run processes and lots of registry keys, haven't been brave enough to go through with registry deletions though!

I've used Revo Uninstaller Pro for over a year and never had a single issue with it when using the app uninstaller functions. Before uninstalling apps and cleaning the Registry Revo always asks the user whether or not they want the a restore point and full back up of the Registry created.

Also, as a fall-back option, I have full system backups of both my computers at all times.

IanMosley · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
Doesn't that assume you're uninstalling from the app list though? If the app is part uninstalled already, you don't get those options? Or am I missing something?

If the app IS listed in the 'All Programs' list, you don't have run 'Forced Uninstall' if it IS NOT, then you have to run 'Forced Uninstall'.

Hornblower409 · Nov 26, 2025

Addlepate said:
I don't want the 365 trial

The only step I have not seen mentioned yet is making sure the Trial version is Canceled in your MS Account. (I have see Trials versions come back from the dead during an Office Repair because it thinks "You've still got a subscription, so you must still want the software")
delete microsoft 365 trial - Microsoft Q&A

idgat · Nov 26, 2025

You need to understand the options for 365 on a new computer and how they relate to RevoUninstaller use ...
- under the Revo tab Windows Apps, this entry for 365 which is just a "stub" for the installation of the program. When this "stub" entry is activated it will direct the user to steps to purchase the product from Microsoft (NOT RECOMMENDED). The program is not installed (fully) until the purchase is complete. Revo will uninstall all the components for this stub
- under the Revo tab Uninstaller, any 365 entry is an indication that the program is fully installed. You need to use Revo to uninstall it, including the Advanced option to remove all leftover files/folders/registry entry

Microsoft also provide Office/365 uninstall software, but I'm always sceptical of companies that have a vested interest in leaving traces of their software on a device but purport to provide so-called "clean" uninstalling software

Edwin · Nov 26, 2025

Just install it over top and click on Switch License..., it'll find the proper features.

Marcus Vinicus · Nov 26, 2025

Edwin said:
Just install it over top and click on Switch License..., it'll find the proper features.

That is what have to do every time I install Microsoft 365 after a clean install of Windows 11 on my computers. Hasn't failed yet.

Edwin · Nov 26, 2025

Marcus Vinicus said:
That is what have to do every time I install Microsoft 365 after a clean install of Windows 11 on my computers. Hasn't failed yet.

I just started a 365 subscription, ran Setup, signed in and it loaded the proper features...,
if I sign out, it unloads the features and reverts back to 2021..., it's weird that way!!!

Marcus Vinicus · Nov 26, 2025

Edwin said:
I just started a 365 subscription, ran Setup, signed in and it loaded the proper features...,
if I sign out, it unloads the features and reverts back to 2021..., it's weird that way!!!

View attachment 154445

That's a bit screwy.

Edwin · Nov 26, 2025

Marcus Vinicus said:
That's a bit screwy.

Yeah..., oh well, it's working!

Edwin · Nov 26, 2025

They probably know I'm gonna cancel the subscription as soon as the 2 free months runs out!!! :woozy:

Addlepate · Nov 27, 2025

OAT said:
I sure envy you; I have not been fresh in the morning since the early 80s.

Turned out I wasn't fresh this morning either, so it didn't get done today and I'm frazzled from work now. Try again tomorrow.

Addlepate · Nov 27, 2025

Hornblower409 said:
The only step I have not seen mentioned yet is making sure the Trial version is Canceled in your MS Account. (I have see Trials versions come back from the dead during an Office Repair because it thinks "You've still got a subscription, so you must still want the software")
delete microsoft 365 trial - Microsoft Q&A

I'd heard of that. I didn't take up the trial and don't have it or the perpetual licence registered to an MS account though, so in this case I'm OK.

@idgat @Edwin @Marcus Vinicus, thanks. @Edwin, I wasn't sure you could install over the top like that - normal advice seems to be don't as it'll cause problems? Does that apply to 2021 or 2024 over trial 365?

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