How can i forcably remove an Outlook JavaScript Dev Add-in?

Question

Problem:

At some point i realised that changes to my manifest.xml files dont get reflected on the running dev instance of the add-in. I went ahead and tried to remove the add in, so i can re-add it and forcably reflect the changes, just to find the remove button greyed out:

After that I went and added the Add-In anyways. I hoped to overwrite the seemigly "broken" one. This wasn't the case and I now have two Add-Ins which i cannot remove. One of them dissapeared over-night causing even more confusion as to what's going on.

I sadly can't develop due to this issue because no changes to the Manifest files get reflected since (I assume) a cached version of an old one (or two) is saved somewhere and being read instead of the updated one.

What I've tried so far:

• Repaired Office
• Tried to remove the Add-In from the COM Add-Ins in settings (not present)
• Changed ID in manifest.xml
• Logged in and out of the Outlook account
• Cleared cache (according to this https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/add-ins/testing/clear-cache )
• Uninstalled Office and reinstalled (add-ins still there)
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/650271/cannot-uninstall-outlook-add-in-in-outlook-desktop

System Info:

• React TypeScript Add-In generated with yeoman
• Outlook 365 (Version 2307 Build 16626.20170)
• manifest.xml

Answer 1

Hi @Simeon Kostadinov ,

Welcome to our forum!

Does this issue occur with other computers?

According to your description, i notice that you have tried several troubleshooting steps, it's suggested that you could try to remove an add-in from the registry in Outlook:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins
5. Find the add-in you want to remove and right-click on it.
6. Select "Delete" and confirm that you want to delete the key.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart Outlook.

(Note: Serious problems can occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before making changes, back up the registry to restore it in case something goes wrong.)

Hope to help you!

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Answer 2

Hi @Simeon Kostadinov ,

Glad to hear this issue has been resolved!

Thanks for the sharing.

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However, due to a recent update in forum policy, the question author now is not able to accept their own answers.

So I have written a brief summary of the solution this issue. Please feel free to accept it as the answer, which would benefit others who also has similar issues in forum.

Issue:

Developed add-in cannot be removed in Outlook, the Remove option greyed out.

Solution1:

Remove an add-in from the registry in Outlook:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins
5. Find the add-in you want to remove and right-click on it.
6. Select "Delete" and confirm that you want to delete the key.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart Outlook.

Solution2:

Remove the Add-In from the Browser version of Outlook for the cached manifest.xml to be completely forgotten.