how to uninstall windows

Question

I am trying to install Microsoft Office (2021/365) but the installer blocks me, saying I need to uninstall an existing version first; however, I cannot find any Office entry in Settings → Apps or Control Panel → Programs, nor do I see any Office shortcuts. I already ran the official Microsoft SaRA Office uninstall tool (aka.ms/SaRA-OfficeUninstall), which completed and I restarted, but the new installer still gives the same error. 

Answer 1

Hi,

If you have any questions, try using the troubleshooting tool to uninstall the previous version.

Access the link below, click uninstall, wait for Get Help to open, click yes to uninstall, wait for it to finish, and try installing again.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-microsoft-365-or-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8

If that doesn't work, use the manual uninstallation method.

You have to uninstall the entire Office suite. If you can't, follow the procedure as I described:

(Click to run and MSI)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/manually-uninstall-office-4e2904ea-25c8-4544-99ee-17696bb3027b

If my answer helped, please confirm the answer or not.

Thanks

Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with a lingering version of Office that is not visible in the usual uninstall locations. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

1. Run the Microsoft 365 Uninstall troubleshooter: Since you've already used the SaRA tool, ensure that you have the latest version of the tool and run it again. This tool is specifically designed to help remove Office installations that may not appear in the Control Panel or Settings.
2. Check for Office remnants: Sometimes, remnants of previous Office installations can cause conflicts. You can check for any remaining Office files in the following locations:
   • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office
   • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Office
   If you find any folders related to Office, consider deleting them (make sure to back up any important data first).
3. Use the Registry Editor: If you're comfortable with it, you can check the Windows Registry for any entries related to Office. Be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system issues. Look for entries under:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office
   If you see entries for versions of Office that you believe are uninstalled, you can delete them.
4. Reboot your computer: After performing the above steps, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
5. Try installing Office again: After rebooting, attempt to install Microsoft Office again.

If the problem persists, you may want to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

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References:

• Office Uninstall
• Troubleshooting activation on Windows