Tip & Trick
To uninstall Microsoft on Mac completely, you’ll need more than just dragging apps to the Trash—leftover files hide in plain sight. ⚡ I learned this the hard way after a client’s Mac kept launching Microsoft Edge shortcuts weeks after they thought they’d deleted everything.
The real cleanup lives in hidden folders and system preferences.
Start with the obvious: drag Microsoft Office, Edge, and Teams from Applications to Trash, then empty it. But here’s where most people stop—wrong. Each app leaves behind preference files in ~/Library/Preferences and cached data in ~/Library/Application Support.
These aren’t visible in Finder by default, so you’ll need to enable them first (Command+Shift+Period).
For stubborn traces, Terminal commands like rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft<em> or rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft</em> do the heavy lifting. Microsoft’s AutoUninstaller (if available) handles some of this, but I’ve found manual removal catches what it misses. Reboot afterward to flush any lingering processes.
Verify everything’s gone by searching Activity Monitor for Microsoft processes and checking Launchpad for lingering icons. If you spot anything, repeat the cleanup—this time with a little more patience. Trust me, that extra 10 minutes now saves hours of frustration later.
📚 In This Guide
- What you need
- Instructions
- Tips and common mistakes
- Wrapping up and next steps
What you need
- ● Your Mac – Any model running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later (for best compatibility).
- ● Admin privileges – You’ll need a user account with full administrator access to remove system-level Microsoft apps.
- ● Microsoft apps to uninstall – Identify which programs you want to remove (e.g., Microsoft Office, Teams, Edge, OneDrive, or Visual Studio Code).
- ○ Internet connection (optional but helpful) – Useful for downloading third-party uninstallers or verifying steps.
- ● Third-party uninstaller apps – Tools like AppCleaner or CleanMyMac to ensure complete removal of leftover files.
- ● Backup of important files – Always backup critical documents before uninstalling, just in case!
- ● Microsoft account credentials – If you’re signed into Microsoft services (like OneDrive or Teams), have your login details handy.
- ● External storage (USB drive) – Useful for archiving any files you want to keep before uninstalling.
Step-by-Step instructions for removing Microsoft software from your Mac
Here’s the clean, thorough method I use to purge Microsoft apps and their hidden files.
🔧 Step 1: Gather All Microsoft Applications and Files
Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Locate every Microsoft product—Microsoft Office, Teams, Edge, OneDrive, or Visual Studio Code—and drag them to the Trash. Empty the Trash immediately to remove them from your system.
Next, open System Settings (Apple menu > System Settings), then go to General > Login Items. Remove any Microsoft-related entries like OneDrive or Microsoft AutoUpdate. This ensures they don’t relaunch on startup.
For hidden files, open Terminal and run these commands one by one to locate and delete Microsoft-related caches and preferences:
sudo rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft
sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.
💻 Step 2: Remove Microsoft Account and Sync Data
Go to System Settings > Apple ID and sign out of any Microsoft-linked accounts. If you’ve used iCloud Drive or OneDrive, manually delete synced files from Finder > On My Mac or Cloud Drive. These folders often persist even after uninstalling the app.
Check System Settings > General > Software Update for pending Microsoft updates—uninstall any pending updates by selecting them and clicking Remove. This prevents Microsoft from silently reinstalling components.
For Microsoft Edge, open the app, go to Settings (three dots) > Settings > Reset Settings, then quit the app. This clears browsing data, extensions, and cached files before deletion.
⌨️ Step 3: Scan for and Remove Leftover Processes
Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) and look for any lingering Microsoft processes like Microsoft AutoUpdate, Microsoft Teams Helper, or Office Helper. Select each and click Quit Process to force-close them.
Reboot your Mac to ensure all background processes terminate. After restarting, open Terminal again and run:
ps aux | grep -i microsoft
If any processes appear, note the PID and kill them with:
kill -9 [PID]
Finally, verify no Microsoft services are running by checking System Monitor (Applications > Utilities) under the Processes tab.
💡 Step 4: Verify Complete Removal and Clean Up
Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G, then paste:
/Library/LaunchDaemons/
Look for any .plist files with "Microsoft" in the name (e.g., com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist) and delete them. These files can silently reinstall apps during system updates.
Run a final check using Spotlight (press Command + Space) and search for "Microsoft." If no results appear, your Mac is clean. For extra security, use a tool like AppCleaner (free from the Mac App Store) to scan for residual files.
You’ve now fully removed Microsoft software—no traces left behind.
Tips & tricks for completely removing Microsoft software from your Mac
Took me a while to figure out these tricks—here's how to avoid the common pitfalls that leave Microsoft traces behind.
Backup First: Before running any deletion commands, create a full backup of your Mac using Time Machine. I learned this the hard way after accidentally deleting important system files while cleaning up Microsoft remnants. Use Finder > Time Machine to create a bootable backup—it’s your safety net if something goes wrong. This is especially critical when dealing with Terminal commands that can’t be undone.
Terminal Command Precision: When executing the four sudo rm -rf commands in Step 1, double-check each path before pressing Enter. I recommend typing them out manually rather than copying/pasting to avoid accidental typos that could delete important system files. For extra caution, verify the exact contents of each folder by running ls before deletion. This ensures you’re only targeting Microsoft files.
Process Verification: In Step 3, after killing processes with kill -9 [PID], don’t stop at Activity Monitor. Reboot your Mac immediately to ensure all background services terminate completely. I’ve seen stubborn Microsoft processes respawn after what appeared to be complete removal—this step catches those sneaky holdouts. The reboot also gives your system a clean slate to verify no remnants remain.
Hidden File Hunter: Step 4’s Spotlight search is your final line of defense, but don’t rely solely on it. Microsoft often hides files in non-standard locations. For thoroughness, I recommend using AppCleaner (mentioned in the instructions) after your manual cleanup. It scans system-wide for orphaned files and preference panes that Spotlight might miss. This extra step ensures you’ve truly eliminated all traces.
Pro Tips for Uninstall Microsoft On Mac
- Took me a while to figure out these tricks—here's how to avoid the common pitfalls that leave Microsoft traces behind.
- Backup First: Before running any deletion commands, create a full backup of your Mac using Time Machine.
- Terminal Command Precision: When executing the four sudo rm -rf commands in Step 1, double-check each path before pressing Enter.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common concerns when uninstalling Microsoft apps from your Mac—and how to tackle them.
Will uninstalling Microsoft apps delete my Office files or data?
Nope! Uninstalling Microsoft apps (like Word, Excel, or Teams) only removes the programs—they won’t delete your documents, spreadsheets, or saved files. Those stay safely in your Documents or Desktop folders. Always back up important files just in case, though!
How long does it take to fully uninstall Microsoft from a Mac?
Most uninstalls take 2–5 minutes if you use the official uninstaller. Manual removal (deleting leftover files) might add another 5–10 minutes. Pro tip: Restart your Mac afterward to ensure everything clears out smoothly.
What if the Microsoft uninstaller isn’t working?
If the uninstaller fails, try these fixes:
- Run as Admin: Right-click the uninstaller → Open (not double-click).
- Force Quit Apps: Open Activity Monitor (⌘ + Space → type "Activity Monitor") and quit any stuck Microsoft processes.
- Manual Cleanup: Delete leftover folders in /Library/Application Support/Microsoft and /Library/Internet Plug-Ins.
Can I reinstall Microsoft apps later if I change my mind?
Uninstalling doesn’t block future reinstalls. Just download the latest version from the official site or the Mac App Store. Your license (if paid) or free version will still work—no worries!
Is there a risk of malware when uninstalling Microsoft apps?
Unlikely, but always download the uninstaller from Microsoft’s official site (not third-party sources). Scan your Mac with Malwarebytes or AVG afterward for extra peace of mind. If you suspect something’s off, run a Disk Utility check (⌘ + Space → type "Disk Utility").
Wrapping up and next steps
Uninstalling Microsoft apps from your Mac doesn’t have to be a hassle—you’ve got this! 🎉 By following the steps above, you’ve successfully removed Microsoft Office, Edge, and any lingering files, freeing up space and keeping your system running smoothly.
Whether you’re switching software or just decluttering, you’ve taken control of your Mac’s performance.
Now that your Mac is Microsoft-free, why not explore lightweight alternatives or optimize your workflow with other tools? Check out our guides on boosting Mac speed or replacing Microsoft Office with free apps—your next productivity upgrade awaits! 🚀