Two Office installations on my system – how can I uninstall just the one?

Understanding How to Uninstall a Single Microsoft Office Version from Your PC

Managing multiple installations of software on a single system can sometimes lead to confusion, especially with suite applications like Microsoft Office. If you’ve upgraded from Office 2016 to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), you might find yourself with two Office versions installed—one legacy and one current. Situations like this raise the question: how can you remove just the older version without affecting your current installation?

Scenario Overview

Imagine you’ve transitioned from Office 2016 to Microsoft 365. To optimize your storage and streamline your system, you now wish to uninstall the Office Professional Plus 2016 version. However, attempting to do so through standard methods results in a warning: removing the older Office version might also uninstall your current Microsoft 365 subscription. This situation can be confusing and requires careful handling to ensure you’re only removing the intended installation.

Key Considerations

Impact of Uninstalling an Office Version: Microsoft Office installations are linked via shared components and registries. Removing one version can sometimes influence the others, especially if they are not installed via separate, clean uninstall processes.
Identifying Installed Versions: Before proceeding, it’s essential to precisely identify which Office versions are installed and how they are registered on your system.
Risks Involved: Incorrect uninstallation procedures may lead to unintended removals or system instability. It’s advisable to back up your data and consider the use of official tools.

Recommended Procedure

Use the Official Support and Troubleshooting Tools

Microsoft provides dedicated tools for removing Office installations:

Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA): This tool can diagnose and remove Office products cleanly. It allows you to select specific versions for removal.

Download link: Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Identify and Uninstall the Targeted Version

If you prefer manual uninstallation:

Open ‘Programs and Features’: Access via Control Panel or Settings.
Locate the Office 2016 Entry: Usually labeled as ‘Microsoft Office 2016’ or similar.
Uninstall Carefully: Follow prompts and ensure you’re removing only the Office 2016 entry.
Check for Residual Components

Post-uninstallation, verify that your current Microsoft 365 is functioning correctly. You might need to perform an Office Repair: