Completely Remove Office From Mac: Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft Office is one of the most widely used productivity suites on macOS. However, there are times when you may need to completely remove it from your Mac. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, freeing up storage space, or preparing for a fresh installation, simply dragging the apps to the Trash is not enough.

If you want a clean uninstall, you must remove all associated files, caches, preferences, and hidden data. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to completely remove Office from Mac, ensuring no leftover files remain.

Why Completely Remove Office From Mac?

Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand why a full removal is necessary.

1. Fix Persistent Errors

Corrupted files can cause apps like Word or Excel to crash or freeze.

2. Clean Reinstallation

A fresh install often requires removing all previous data.

3. Free Up Disk Space

Office and its related files can take up several gigabytes.

4. Remove Old Versions

Older Office versions may conflict with newer ones.

What Gets Installed With Microsoft Office?

When you install Office on macOS, it doesn’t just add applications. It also creates:

• Application files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• System support files
• Preferences and settings
• Cache and temporary files
• Background services

To fully uninstall Office, all of these components must be removed.

Before You Begin

Take these precautions before removing Office:

• Back up important documents
• Sign out of your Microsoft account
• Close all Office applications

This ensures a smooth and safe removal process.

Step 1: Quit All Office Applications

Make sure all Office apps are closed.

Steps:

1. Press Command + Q on each app
2. Open Activity Monitor
3. Force quit any running Office processes

Common processes include:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook

Step 2: Delete Office Applications

Remove the main apps first.

Steps:

1. Open Finder
2. Go to Applications
3. Locate all Microsoft Office apps
4. Move them to Trash

Apps to remove:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft OneNote

Empty the Trash after deletion.

Step 3: Remove Library Files

Office stores many files in the Library folder.

Access the Library Folder

1. Open Finder
2. Press Command + Shift + G
3. Type ~/Library

Delete Application Support Files

Navigate to:

~/Library/Application Support/

Delete folders like:

• Microsoft
• Office

Remove Preferences

Go to:

~/Library/Preferences/

Delete files starting with:

• com.microsoft.*
• office.*

Remove Caches

Navigate to:

~/Library/Caches/

Delete:

• com.microsoft.*
• office-related cache files

Step 4: Remove Containers and Group Containers

Office uses sandbox containers.

Containers

Path:

~/Library/Containers/

Delete folders such as:

• com.microsoft.Word
• com.microsoft.Excel
• com.microsoft.Powerpoint

Group Containers

Path:

~/Library/Group Containers/

Remove:

• UBF8T346G9.Office
• Microsoft-related folders

Step 5: Remove Keychain Entries

Office may store credentials in Keychain.

Steps:

1. Open Keychain Access
2. Search for “Microsoft”
3. Delete related entries

This removes stored login credentials.

Step 6: Remove Launch Agents and Daemons

Office installs background services.

Check These Locations:

~/Library/LaunchAgents/

/Library/LaunchAgents/

/Library/LaunchDaemons/

Delete Microsoft-related files.

Step 7: Restart Your Mac

Restarting ensures all changes take effect and clears temporary memory.

Step 8: Verify Complete Removal

To confirm Office is fully removed:

• Search “Microsoft” in Finder
• Check for leftover files
• Ensure no apps remain in Applications

If nothing appears, the uninstall is complete.

Optional: Use Terminal for Deep Cleanup

For advanced users, Terminal can help remove hidden files.

sudo find / -name "*microsoft*" -exec rm -rf {} \;

Warning: Use this command carefully. It can delete unintended files if misused.

Common Issues During Removal

Files Won’t Delete

• Check permissions
• Use admin account

Apps Still Appear

• Restart your Mac
• Clear Spotlight index

Storage Not Freed

• Empty Trash
• Remove hidden files

Alternative: Use Third-Party Uninstallers

You can also use tools like:

• AppCleaner
• CleanMyMac

These apps automate the removal process and find hidden files.

Reinstalling Office After Removal

If you plan to reinstall:

1. Download the latest version from Microsoft
2. Install fresh copies
3. Sign in with your account

A clean reinstall often resolves previous issues.

Tips to Keep Your Mac Clean

After removing Office:

• Regularly clean cache files
• Uninstall unused apps
• Monitor storage usage
• Keep macOS updated

These habits improve performance and prevent clutter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dragging Office to Trash enough?

No, it leaves behind many hidden files and data.

Will I lose my documents?

No, your files are stored separately unless you delete them manually.

Can I reinstall Office later?

Yes, you can reinstall anytime using your Microsoft account.

Conclusion

Completely removing Office from Mac requires more than just deleting applications. To ensure a clean uninstall, you must remove all associated files, including caches, preferences, containers, and system data.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can fully uninstall Microsoft Office, fix persistent issues, and free up valuable storage space. Whether you’re troubleshooting or preparing for a fresh installation, a complete removal ensures your Mac stays clean and optimized.

Taking the time to do it properly will save you from future problems and give your system a fresh start.