How to Uninstall OneNote From Windows 10: Clean Removal Without Lingering Files

Learning how to uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 the right way saved me from a digital landfill—now it takes just 10 minutes. ⚡ The key is knowing where OneNote hides its traces, from registry keys to leftover folders buried in Program Files.

Before you dive in, back up any notes you’ve stored locally—OneNote syncs to the cloud, but offline files live in %USERPROFILE%\OneNote Notebooks. Then, we’ll tackle two methods: the straightforward Settings route for most users, and a PowerShell command for stubborn cases where the standard uninstaller fails.

I’ve used both, and the difference is night-and-day.

After the uninstall, we’ll hunt down residual files and registry entries that can cause crashes or slowdowns. You’ll end up with a system that’s completely free of OneNote traces, ready for whatever you want to install next. No more phantom shortcuts or mysterious background processes—just a clean slate.

Fair warning: if you’re using OneNote for work, consider disabling it instead. The uninstall process is permanent, and some apps (like Office) might throw fits if you yank OneNote out without warning. But if you’re ready to go nuclear, here’s how to do it right.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for removing OneNote completely from Windows 10

Here's the foolproof method I use to purge OneNote and its remnants from Windows 10.

Open the Start menu and type "Add or remove programs" to locate the Apps & Features panel. Scroll down until you find Microsoft OneNote in the list—it's usually listed under Microsoft Store apps or Universal apps. Click on it once to select it, then click the "Uninstall" button that appears above the list.

Confirm the uninstallation when prompted. The process should complete within 30-60 seconds. If you see a message about "OneNote is being removed," wait for it to finish before proceeding. This standard uninstall method often leaves behind configuration files and registry entries, so we'll address those next.

Press the Windows key + X and select "Apps and Features" from the menu. In the search bar at the top-right, type "OneNote" and press Enter. If any remaining OneNote entries appear (like "Microsoft OneNote 2016" or "OneNote for Windows 10"), select each one and click "Uninstall" again. This ensures all versions are removed.

Next, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote. Delete any folders or files you find here—these are leftover notebook files and cache. For a thorough cleanup, also check C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 and delete any OneNote-related files you find in the "OneNote" subfolder.

Press Windows key + R, type "regedit," and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote. Right-click each OneNote-related key and select "Delete." Confirm each deletion when prompted.

To clear the Windows Store cache, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run wsreset.exe. This will reset the Microsoft Store cache, which sometimes holds onto app remnants. Reboot your system after completing these steps—this ensures all temporary files and processes are cleared from memory.

Open File Explorer and search for "OneNote." If no results appear and no shortcuts remain on your desktop or Start menu, the uninstallation was successful. For extra verification, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, and ensure no OneNote processes are listed.

If you ever need to reinstall OneNote later, download it fresh from the Microsoft Store or your Office suite. Avoid using any cached installers, as they may reintroduce the same leftover files. This method guarantees a clean slate—no orphaned processes, no lingering configuration files.

Tips & tricks for clean OneNote removal without lingering files

Real talk: That 30-60 second uninstall in Step 1 is just the beginning. Between us, I've seen OneNote leave behind more digital ghosts than a haunted house tour—here's how to catch every last one.

Backup First: Before you start deleting registry keys or files, create a system restore point. Press Windows key + R, type "systempropertiesprotection," and create a restore point under the System Protection tab. If anything goes wrong during cleanup, you can roll back to this exact state. This is your safety net—don't skip it, even if you're confident.

Registry Cleanup Strategy: In Step 3, when you're deleting those registry keys, be extra careful with the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE entries. These require admin privileges, so right-click regedit and select "Run as administrator." Also, consider exporting the registry keys first by right-clicking them and selecting "Export" before deletion. This creates a backup file you can restore from if needed. I've seen registry corruption cause more headaches than the original OneNote files ever did.

Windows Store Cache Nuance: That wsreset.exe command in Step 3 does more than just clear OneNote remnants—it resets ALL Microsoft Store cache. This means any pending updates for other apps will download again after reboot. If you're on a slow connection, consider running this step during off-peak hours. Also, be patient—the command window will appear to hang for 10-15 seconds before showing progress.

Hidden File Check: After Step 2, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData. Make sure to enable "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" in the View tab first—OneNote often hides its leftover files in subfolders like "Roaming" or "LocalLow." Look for any folders with "OneNote" in the name, even if they're partially obscured or seem corrupted. I once found a 2GB cache folder hidden this way that kept OneNote from being fully removed.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common concerns—and their answers—to make your removal process smoother than ever.

Wrapping up and next steps

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 doesn’t have to be a hassle—now you know how to remove it cleanly and without leaving behind pesky leftover files. Whether you’re freeing up space, troubleshooting, or simply prefer another app, you’ve got the steps to do it right. 🎉

Ready to breathe new life into your system? Take a moment to scan for remaining traces or explore alternatives that better fit your workflow. Your PC will thank you!