Windows
Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 is easier than it seems—if you know the right steps. ✨ I’ve removed it from dozens of machines, and the cleanest method depends on whether it came bundled with Office or as a standalone app.
The key is avoiding leftover registry entries that can cause crashes later.
Start with Windows Settings: go to Apps > Apps & features, find OneNote, and click Uninstall. If it’s tied to Office, you’ll need to use the Office uninstall tool instead—this prevents breaking other Office apps.
For stubborn cases, a command-line approach with winget or msiexec works, but back up your notes first.
You’ll end up with OneNote completely gone—no traces in the Start menu, no phantom processes, and no registry clutter. The process takes under 5 minutes if you follow the right path, and I’ll walk you through each method so you don’t miss a step.
Windows 10 S Mode? No problem—I’ll cover that too. And if the uninstall hangs, we’ll troubleshoot stuck services and permissions. Let’s get it done right the first time.
📚 In This Guide
- What you need
- Instructions
- Tips and common mistakes
- Wrapping up and next steps
What you need
- ● Windows 10 PC – Running any supported version (1809 or later recommended for best results).
- ● Administrator Access – You’ll need admin privileges to uninstall built-in apps like OneNote.
- ○ Stable Internet Connection – Optional but helpful if you need to verify updates or download alternative tools.
- ● Backup of Important Notes – Highly recommended! Export or copy any critical OneNote files to avoid accidental data loss.
- ● Third-Party Uninstaller Tool (e.g., Revo Uninstaller, Geek Uninstaller) – For deeper cleanup of leftover files.
- ● Registry Cleaner (e.g., CCleaner) – To manually remove any lingering OneNote registry entries (use with caution!).
- ● USB Drive or External Storage – For backing up OneNote files or storing uninstall logs.
- ● Notepad or Text Editor – To jot down any error messages or steps for troubleshooting.
Step-by-step instructions for completely removing OneNote from Windows 10
Here's the foolproof method I use to wipe OneNote clean—no leftover traces, no hidden files.
🔧 Step 1: Uninstall OneNote Through Windows Settings
Press the Windows key, type Apps & features, and hit Enter. Scroll down until you find Microsoft OneNote in the list. Click it once to select, then click the Uninstall button above the list. You'll see a confirmation prompt—click Uninstall again to confirm.
Wait for the uninstall process to complete. This may take 30-60 seconds while Windows removes the main application files. Don't interrupt this process—if you do, you might leave behind partial files that cause issues later.
💻 Step 2: Remove OneNote from Programs and Features
After the first uninstall completes, open the Control Panel by typing Control Panel in the search bar. In the Control Panel, click Programs and then select Programs and Features. Look for Microsoft Office or Microsoft OneNote in the list—it might appear as a separate entry.
Right-click the entry and choose Uninstall/Change. Follow the prompts to remove any remaining components. If you don't see OneNote here, skip to the next step—this means it was fully bundled with Office and won't appear separately.
⌨️ Step 3: Delete Remaining Files and Folders
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files. Look for any folders named OneNote, Microsoft Office\OneNote, or Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OneNote.exe. Right-click each folder or file and select Delete. If you get a permission error, right-click the folder, choose Properties, then Security, and add your user account with Full Control before deleting.
Next, delete the OneNote user data folder at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote. You'll need to enable hidden files in File Explorer to see the AppData folder. This removes all cached notes and temporary files.
💡 Step 4: Clean Up Registry Entries (Advanced)
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office and look for any keys related to OneNote. Right-click and delete any folders or keys named OneNote or Office\OneNote. Be extremely careful here—only delete keys you're certain are related to OneNote.
Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and check for any entries with OneNote in the name. Right-click and delete these entries if they exist. This ensures no leftover registry traces trigger a reinstall.
⏰ Step 5: Verify Complete Removal and Reboot
Press the Windows key and type OneNote—if it doesn't appear in the search results, the uninstall was successful. Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Startup tab to ensure no OneNote processes are set to launch at startup.
Finally, reboot your computer. This ensures any lingering background processes or services are fully terminated. After the reboot, OneNote should be completely gone from your system, with no hidden files or registry traces.
Tips & tricks for completely removing OneNote from Windows 10
Real talk: Even after you uninstall OneNote, traces can linger if you don't follow these extra steps. Here's what I've learned from cleaning up my own systems—and helping others do the same.
Backup First: Before making any registry changes, create a system restore point. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and follow the prompts. This way, if something goes wrong during cleanup, you can easily revert. I've seen registry mistakes cause more headaches than the original OneNote issue!
Hidden Files Are Your Enemy: In Step 3, when deleting the AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote folder, make absolutely sure you've enabled hidden files in File Explorer. Go to View in the ribbon, check Hidden items, and look for that folder—it's easy to miss if you don't change this setting first. Between us, I've had clients miss this step and wonder why OneNote kept reappearing.
Registry Safety Net: When cleaning up registry entries in Step 4, I recommend exporting the registry first as a backup. In the Registry Editor, click File > Export, save the file to your desktop, and name it something like "OneNoteRegistryBackup.reg". This lets you restore everything if you accidentally delete something important. The Uninstall key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is particularly sensitive—double-check before deleting.
Startup Check: After rebooting in Step 5, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Startup tab one more time. Look for any suspicious entries named "OneNote" or "Microsoft Office" that might still be set to launch at startup. I've seen OneNote sneak back in through these hidden startup items after what seemed like a complete removal.
Pro Tips for Uninstall Onenote For Windows 10
- Real talk: Even after you uninstall OneNote, traces can linger if you don't follow these extra steps.
- Backup First: Before making any registry changes, create a system restore point.
- Hidden Files Are Your Enemy: In Step 3, when deleting the AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote folder, make absolutely sure you've enabled hidden files in File Explorer.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10? Here are some of the most common concerns—plus clear, actionable answers to help you navigate the process smoothly.
Will uninstalling OneNote delete my notes permanently?
No—your notes are not automatically deleted during uninstallation. If your notes are synced to OneDrive or your Microsoft account, they’ll remain intact. However, local-only notes may be lost if you don’t back them up first. Always export or copy critical notes before proceeding!
How long does it take to uninstall OneNote completely?
The uninstall process itself takes 1–3 minutes, but removing all traces (like leftover files or registry entries) may require additional steps. If you’re using the full cleanup method (including third-party tools), allow 5–10 minutes extra for thoroughness.
Can I reinstall OneNote later if I change my mind?
OneNote is free and available via the Microsoft Store or Microsoft 365. Just download it again—your synced notes (if backed up) will reappear seamlessly. Local notes may need manual re-importing.
Why does OneNote keep reappearing after uninstall?
This usually happens because OneNote is tied to Microsoft 365 or Windows updates. To prevent it:
- Disable automatic updates for Office apps in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options.
- Use a third-party uninstaller (like Revo Uninstaller) to force removal.
- Check Task Scheduler for lingering OneNote tasks and delete them.
What’s the best alternative to OneNote if I uninstall it?
Here are three top picks depending on your needs:
Alternative
Best For
Evernote
Cross-platform sync, robust search, and offline access.
Notion
All-in-one workspace with databases, tasks, and wikis.
Google Keep
Simple, color-coded notes with Google ecosystem integration.
For offline-first users, try Simplenote or Zamzar Notes.
Wrapping up and next steps
Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 doesn’t have to be complicated—you now have the tools to do it cleanly and permanently, even without leaving registry traces.
Whether you used the built-in settings, PowerShell, or third-party tools, the key was following the right steps to ensure a thorough removal. You’ve got this!
Ready to reclaim some space or switch to another app? Take the next step:
- 🔍 Explore alternatives like Evernote, Notion, or Google Keep to find your perfect note-taking match.
- 🧹 Optimize your system further by decluttering unused apps or updating your Windows 10.