How to Uninstall Microsoft 365 Before Installing Office 2024

You just bought Office 2024. Maybe you’re tired of paying a monthly subscription, or you want a one-time purchase you can keep forever. You double-click the installer, feeling good about your decision, and then an error pops up. Office refuses to install, or it installs halfway and leaves your apps broken.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The most common reason Office 2024 fails to install is that Microsoft 365 is still sitting on your computer. The two products don’t get along when they’re installed side by side.

The good news is that fixing this is simple. In this guide, you’ll learn how to uninstall Microsoft 365 the right way, what to back up first, and how to make sure your PC is clean and ready before installing Office 2024. No technical background needed. Just follow the steps.

Why You Need to Uninstall Microsoft 365 First

Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand the problem. Once you know why the conflict happens, the solution makes a lot more sense.

Microsoft 365 (the subscription version) and Office 2024 (the one-time purchase version) are built on the same core technology. Both use version 16 of Office and a delivery system called “Click-to-Run.” Because they share so many files, registry entries, and background services, Windows can’t run both at once without confusion.

Think of it like two people trying to park in the same parking space. One has to leave before the other can pull in.

Common Errors You Might See

When Microsoft 365 is still installed, you may run into problems like these:

A message saying Office can’t be installed because another version is already on your computer
The installer stopping at a certain percentage and never finishing
Office 2024 installing but still showing Microsoft 365 branding or asking you to renew a subscription
Activation errors, where Office 2024 won’t accept your product key
Apps like Word or Excel crashing right after launch

Leftover Files Cause Problems Too

Here’s something many beginners miss: even if you’ve already removed Microsoft 365, leftover files and settings can still block Office 2024. A standard uninstall doesn’t always clean everything. That’s why this guide also covers deeper removal methods.

Before You Uninstall: Back Up Your Important Data

Uninstalling Microsoft 365 won’t delete your Word documents or Excel spreadsheets saved on your computer. However, some settings and files are worth protecting before you begin.

What to Back Up

Outlook data files: If you use Outlook with a POP email account, your emails may be stored in a .pst file. You can find these files by opening Outlook, going to File, then Account Settings, then Data Files.
Custom templates: If you’ve created your own Word or PowerPoint templates, copy them from your templates folder to a USB drive or cloud storage.
Custom dictionary: Words you’ve added to the spell checker live in a separate file. Back it up if you’ve built up a long list.
Files in OneDrive: Make sure your OneDrive files are fully synced so nothing is stuck halfway.

Find Your Office 2024 Product Key

Before removing anything, locate the product key or purchase confirmation for Office 2024. Keep it somewhere safe and easy to access. You’ll need it once installation is complete.

A Quick Note About Your Subscription

Uninstalling Microsoft 365 from your computer does not cancel your subscription. If you no longer want to pay for it, you’ll need to cancel it separately through your Microsoft account online. Do this if you’re switching fully to Office 2024 so you’re not charged again.

Method 1: Uninstall Microsoft 365 Through Windows Settings

This is the easiest method and works well for most people. If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, start here.

Steps for Windows 11

Click the Start button and open Settings.
Select Apps from the left menu.
Click Installed apps.
In the search bar, type “Microsoft 365” or “Office.”
Click the three dots next to Microsoft 365 and choose Uninstall.
Confirm by clicking Uninstall again.
Wait for the process to finish, then restart your computer.

Steps for Windows 10

Open Settings from the Start menu.
Click Apps, then Apps & features.
Scroll down or search for Microsoft 365.
Click on it and select Uninstall.
Follow the prompts and restart your PC when done.

Example: Let’s say Priya bought a new laptop that came with a Microsoft 365 trial. She purchased Office 2024 Home & Business for her small business. She opened Settings, found “Microsoft 365 – en-us” in her app list, uninstalled it, and restarted her laptop. Office 2024 then installed without a single error.

Don’t Forget Language Packs

Sometimes you’ll see more than one Microsoft 365 entry, such as separate language packs or proofing tools (for example, “Microsoft 365 – hi-in” alongside “Microsoft 365 – en-us”). Uninstall each one to make sure everything is removed.

Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft 365 Through Control Panel

Some users prefer the classic Control Panel, and it can sometimes succeed where Settings doesn’t.

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. This opens Programs and Features directly.
Look for Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office in the list.
Right-click it and choose Uninstall.
Click Uninstall again to confirm.
Restart your computer once it’s finished.

This method removes the same software as Method 1, so you only need to use one of them. If one fails, try the other.

Method 3: Use Microsoft’s Official Uninstall Support Tool

If the normal uninstall doesn’t work, freezes, or leaves Office pieces behind, Microsoft offers an official uninstall support tool designed to completely remove Office from your PC. This is the method to use when you keep getting errors while installing Office 2024 even after uninstalling.

How to Use It

Search for “Uninstall Office from a PC” on Microsoft’s official support website.
Find the section for the uninstall support tool and download it.
Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install and launch the tool.
When asked, select the version of Office you want to remove. Choose Microsoft 365.
Let the tool run. It will remove the program along with leftover files and settings.
Restart your computer when prompted.

Example: Rahul tried uninstalling Microsoft 365 through Settings, but every time he ran the Office 2024 installer, it failed at 20%. After running Microsoft’s uninstall support tool and restarting, the installer worked perfectly. The standard uninstall had left behind hidden files that the tool cleaned up.

Always download this tool from Microsoft’s own website. Avoid third-party “Office cleaner” tools from unknown sources, as they can contain unwanted software.

Method 4: Uninstall Microsoft 365 on a Mac

Mac users follow a different process, since there’s no uninstall button in the traditional sense.

Open Finder and go to Applications.
Hold the Command key and click each Microsoft app: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
Drag them to the Trash, or right-click and choose Move to Trash.
For a complete cleanup, open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, then Go to Folder, and type ~/Library/Containers. Remove folders that start with “com.microsoft” related to Office apps.
Repeat for ~/Library/Group Containers, removing Office-related folders such as those containing “UBF8T346G9.Office.”
Empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

Be careful in the Library folders. Only remove folders clearly connected to Microsoft Office. If you’re unsure, skip step 4 and 5, as removing the apps alone is often enough.

How to Check That Microsoft 365 Is Fully Removed

Before installing Office 2024, take one minute to confirm your computer is clean.

Open Settings > Apps again and search for “Office” and “Microsoft 365.” Nothing should show up except unrelated items like OneDrive or Teams.
Search your Start menu for Word or Excel. If they still appear, the uninstall didn’t finish.
Make sure you’ve restarted your computer at least once after uninstalling.

If anything remains, run Microsoft’s uninstall support tool from Method 3.

Installing Office 2024 After Uninstalling Microsoft 365

Now that your system is clean, installing Office 2024 should be smooth. Here’s a quick overview.

Go to Microsoft’s official Office setup page and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Enter your Office 2024 product key when prompted. This links the product to your account.
Download the installer from your account dashboard.
Run the installer and wait for it to complete. Keep your internet connection active.
Open any Office app, such as Word, and sign in if asked to activate.

Tips for a Smooth Installation

Match the version type: If you previously had 32-bit Office and now want 64-bit (or the other way around), a full uninstall is especially important because mixing them causes errors.
Close other programs: Shut down browsers and background apps to speed things up.
Pause antivirus temporarily if needed: Occasionally, security software blocks installation. Turn it back on right after.
Use a stable internet connection: The installer downloads files during setup, so a weak connection can cause failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my documents?

No. Your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files saved on your computer or OneDrive stay exactly where they are. Only the Office programs are removed. After installing Office 2024, you can open all your files as usual.

2. Can I keep Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 on the same computer?

No, not in a normal setup. Both use the same underlying Office version and installation system, so they conflict with each other. You need to uninstall Microsoft 365 before installing Office 2024.

3. Does uninstalling Microsoft 365 cancel my subscription?

No. Removing the software only affects your computer. To stop future payments, sign in to your Microsoft account online and cancel the subscription from the services and subscriptions section.

4. What should I do if Microsoft 365 won’t uninstall?

Try the Control Panel method first. If that also fails, download Microsoft’s official uninstall support tool from its support website. It’s built to remove stubborn installations and leftover files completely.

5. Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling?

Yes. Restarting clears background processes and finishes removing files that were in use. Skipping the restart is one of the most common reasons installing Office 2024 fails right afterward.

Conclusion

Switching from Microsoft 365 to Office 2024 is a smart move if you want to own your software without ongoing subscription fees. The key to a stress-free switch is preparation. Back up your important data, uninstall Microsoft 365 completely, restart your computer, and double-check that nothing is left behind.

For most people, the Windows Settings method is all it takes. If you run into trouble, the Control Panel or Microsoft’s official uninstall support tool will handle even the most stubborn installations. Mac users simply need to move the apps to the Trash and optionally clean up a few Library folders.

Once your system is clean, installing Office 2024 takes only a few minutes, and you’ll be back to writing documents, building spreadsheets, and creating presentations in no time. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll avoid the errors that trip up so many users.