In Windows, what should I do if I can't remove or reinstall Microsoft Office?

The Microsoft Office suites can leave files on your computer that, even after an uninstall, interfere with subsequent installations. Follow the appropriate instructions below to completely remove your present edition of Office, after which you can reinstall.

On this page:

• Office 2010 or 2007
• Office 2003
• If other methods fail

Office 2010 or 2007

If you are unable to remove Office 2010 or 2007 through the Control Panel's Programs and Features (Windows 7 and Vista) or Add/Remove Programs (earlier versions), try launching the Office Installer:

• Put the Office installation disc into the CD drive and double-click Setup.exe.
  
  
• Alternatively, if you downloaded Office from IUware, locate the \IUware Online\Office Enterprise Edition 2010 or \IUware Online\Office Enterprise Edition 2007 folder on your hard drive and double-click Setup.exe.

Once Office Installer launches, follow the instructions to remove Office from your computer.

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Office 2003

1. Insert the first disk of your Office CD set in the CD-ROM drive.
   
   
2. From the Start menu or desktop, click or double-click Computer or My Computer.
   
   
3. Right-click the icon for your CD-ROM drive, and then click Open.
   
   
4. Double-click Files, and then double-click Pfiles.
   
   
5. Double-click Msoffice. Then double-click Office11 (Office 2003) or Office10 (Office XP).
   
   
6. Double-click Offcln.exe.

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If other methods fail

For Office 2010, 2007 and 2003, if other methods fail to remove it, you can manually uninstall by following the directions in Microsoft article 290301:

Search Microsoft Help and Support.

Warning: The procedure in this Microsoft document involves edits of multiple registry keys. UITS recommends that you back up your registry first; see In Windows, how do I back up the registry?

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