How do I remove Microsoft 365 completely with all settings so it forgets my log in?

You simply have me running in circles, going over things I did 3 or 4 moves ago. Quite simply, I want to be rid of 365 completely. I will be going back to Linux to get a lot of peace of mind. This help service is absolutely NO help at all.

Please get me out of this continual loop and help me with ridding myself of this Microsoft money spinner.

I wish to keep the bare Windows program with the few files I need to keep.

Rodney Jackson

To completely get rid of Microsoft accounts, you can uninstall Office, make sure that you sign in to Windows with a local account and also unlink your PC from OneDrive.

To get rid of Office, you will have to uninstall your perpetual license (such as Office 2021) or subscription (such as Microsoft 365).

In addition, ensure that you create a local user account for Windows. See the section "Change from a Microsoft account to a local account" in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20.

To unlink OneDrive, follow the instructions in the support article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0.

Hello,DoubtingRich

Welcome to the Microsoft community!

I have realized that your issues.

 Is your current Windows login the same account that you are currently experiencing problems with?

Currently your situation is related to the cached credentials of your current local Windows logon account.

I would suggest you try the following as a last resort before reinstalling your system.

1.Search for Credential Manager in the search box in the lower left corner of the taskbar, then find Manage Windows Credentials - find your Microsoft account and select Delete Credentials.

Accessing Credential Manager - Microsoft Support

2.Registry Reset Office

Press Windows + R and type regedit in the Open Run box and press Enter.

Locate the following key and rename the Office folder (right-click it and select Rename (for example, Office will be renamed Officeold)):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office

Then open the word document again to try the effect.

Disclaimer: Registry or workgroup modifications are typically intended for power users, administrators, and IT professionals and can help resolve some issues, but incorrect modification of the registry can lead to serious problems. So, strictly follow the steps below. Make a backup of the registry before modifying it for added protection. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support

3.New local account: New local account can troubleshoot the problems caused by the system account modifying some personalized settings, the method by switching a system login account to achieve the purpose of restoring the initial settings, you can use this to reduce the interference of some settings on the software. At the same time, you don't have to worry about missing files, all the files installed on your computer are there. The documents that have disappeared from the desktop will be saved in your original account and you will be able to see them when you switch back again.

Manage user accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

The third method I think has a high probability of working, since it's a brand new login file that's already being used. The only problem is that some of the files on the original desktop and some of the customizations will need to be readjusted, which are in the original account on the C drive USERS.

Feel free to post back if you need further assistance. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience and I look forward to hearing from you.

Ryan - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

You are welcome.

It is of course possible to run a perpetual license of Office, such as Office 2024, without making use of OneDrive.

Alternatively, you can test open source software such as LibreOffice which is fairly compatible with Microsoft Office.

To completely get rid of Microsoft accounts, you can uninstall Office, make sure that you sign in to Windows with a local account and also unlink your PC from OneDrive.

To get rid of Office, you will have to uninstall your perpetual license (such as Office 2021) or subscription (such as Microsoft 365).

In addition, ensure that you create a local user account for Windows. See the section "Change from a Microsoft account to a local account" in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20.

To unlink OneDrive, follow the instructions in the support article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0.

Thank you Stefan, that seemed to do the trick. It took a little finding at first, but when I found the settings and account, it worked. The One Drive symbol now has a diagonal line through it. Fantastic help 5 Stars.

Regards,

Rodney Jackson