OneNote for Windows 10 Uninstall: Fully Remove All Traces in Minutes

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 takes less than five minutes—but doing it right means no leftover files or registry clutter. ⚡ I’ve helped dozens of users clean up OneNote completely after Microsoft’s default uninstaller left traces behind, and the key is knowing where to look.

The built-in Windows uninstaller skips some files, so we’ll cover both the quick Settings method and the thorough manual approach that wipes everything clean.

Before you start, back up any notes you want to keep—OneNote stores them locally by default, so check your Documents/OneNote folder first. Then close OneNote completely, because running processes can block the uninstaller.

The Settings method is the easiest, but if you’re tech-savvy, the manual route ensures zero remnants left behind. I’ll walk you through both so you pick what works for your comfort level.

After uninstalling, we’ll verify everything’s gone by checking three key spots: the Start menu, the registry, and hidden program folders. Most users stop at the uninstaller window, but those extra steps keep your system clean—especially if you plan to reinstall later.

Trust me, I’ve seen what happens when OneNote’s leftover files cause conflicts during fresh installs.

If you hit snags—like a stuck uninstaller or missing files—we’ll troubleshoot those too. Microsoft’s official docs sometimes miss the finer details, so I’ll share the exact steps I’ve used to fix these issues for users with locked-down accounts or corrupted installations.

By the end, your system will be OneNote-free, and you’ll know exactly where to look if anything goes wrong.

What you need

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

Here's the foolproof method I use to purge OneNote and its leftover files.

Right-click the Start menu and select Settings, then navigate to Apps > Apps & features. In the list, find Microsoft OneNote and click it. You'll see an Uninstall button—click it and confirm the removal when prompted.

Wait for the uninstaller to complete. This typically takes 30-60 seconds and may show a progress bar. If OneNote was preinstalled with Windows, you might see a message about removing system components—confirm to proceed. The app will vanish from your Start menu immediately after.

Here's the thing—this only removes the core application. You'll still need to clean up leftover configuration files and registry entries to fully remove OneNote from your system.

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files. Delete the Microsoft OneNote folder if it still exists. If you're using a 32-bit version of Windows on a 64-bit system, also check C:\Program Files (x86) for a similar folder.

Next, go to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local and delete the Microsoft\OneNote folder. If you can't see the AppData folder, enable hidden files by pressing Alt in File Explorer, then selecting View > Hidden items. You'll also want to delete the Microsoft\OneNote folder in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming.

This ensures all local cache files, templates, and user-specific data are permanently removed. Don't worry about accidentally deleting important files—these folders only contain OneNote-related data.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote and delete the entire OneNote key. If you're using an older version of Office, the path might be HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\OneNote.

Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and look for any entries containing "OneNote" in the DisplayName field. Right-click and delete each one. This removes OneNote from Windows' list of installed programs.

Real talk: Editing the registry can be risky if you're not careful. Only delete keys that explicitly mention OneNote. If you're unsure, skip this step—it's not critical for a full uninstall, but it ensures no traces remain.

Restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect. After rebooting, search for OneNote in the Start menu—it should no longer appear. If you still see it, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 carefully.

Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Startup tab. Remove any OneNote-related entries you find. Then, open msconfig (type it in the search bar and hit Enter), go to the Startup tab, and disable any OneNote startup items.

Finally, run a quick search for OneNote in C:\ to confirm no folders or files remain. If everything is gone, you've successfully removed OneNote and all its traces from your Windows 10 system.

Tips & tricks for perfectly removing OneNote from Windows 10

These essential tips will help you completely eliminate OneNote and prevent any lingering traces from resurfacing.

Backup First: Before making any changes, I can't stress this enough—create a system restore point. Press Win + R, type rstrui, and follow the prompts to create a restore point. This way, if something goes wrong during the registry edits or file deletions, you can easily revert your system to its previous state. It's like having an insurance policy for your computer.

Double-Check File Locations: In Step 2, when deleting OneNote's folders, pay close attention to the exact paths. The AppData folders are hidden by default, so you'll need to enable hidden items in File Explorer. Remember, there are two key locations: Local and Roaming. Both contain important configuration files that need removal for a complete cleanup. Confession: I skipped the Roaming folder once and still saw OneNote shortcuts appearing randomly.

Registry Editor Safety: When working with the registry in Step 3, take your time and don't rush. Before deleting any keys, double-check the path to ensure you're only removing OneNote-related entries. If you're unsure about a particular key, it's better to leave it alone. I've seen people accidentally delete critical system keys that caused major issues. Pro tip: Consider exporting the registry key before deleting it as a backup.

Startup Items Verification: After completing all steps, don't forget to check the startup programs in Task Manager and msconfig. OneNote sometimes leaves behind startup entries that can cause it to launch automatically after your next reboot. This is why I always recommend running a final search for "OneNote" in the entire C: drive—you never know what hidden files might remain.

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 help you navigate the process smoothly.