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

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 should take less than five minutes—but I’ve seen it turn into a half-hour headache when leftover files clog the system. ⚡ The key is using the right method for your needs: whether you want a quick Settings-based removal or a thorough PowerShell cleanup that wipes every trace.

I’ve done this dozens of times during Windows 10 deployments, and the difference between the two approaches is night and day.

The Settings method is foolproof for most users—just navigate to Apps & Features and hit “Uninstall.” But here’s the catch: OneNote often leaves behind cached data and registry entries that can bloat your storage or trigger errors later.

For a truly clean removal, PowerShell is your secret weapon. It targets hidden files and dependencies that traditional uninstallers miss, and I’ve included the exact command sequence that works every time.

You’ll end up with OneNote completely gone from your system, no lingering shortcuts or background processes, and a fresh start if you ever decide to reinstall it later. The PowerShell method even verifies the removal, so you won’t waste time troubleshooting incomplete deletions.

Fair warning: back up your notes first—this process doesn’t recover deleted data, but it does ensure your system stays lean and responsive.

Works for both standalone OneNote and the Office suite version, and the same steps apply if you’re troubleshooting a corrupted install. Let’s get it done right the first time—no second-guessing, no leftover junk.

What you need

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

Here's how I permanently remove OneNote while keeping your system clean and error-free.

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 grouped under Microsoft Store apps. Click on it once to select it.

Click the Uninstall button that appears above the list. Windows will prompt you to confirm the removal—click Uninstall again. The process takes about 30 seconds. You'll see a progress bar until it completes, and Windows will notify you when OneNote is fully removed from your system.

Here's the thing—this only removes the main application. Some system files and registry entries may remain, so we need to clean those up next.

Press the Windows key, type "PowerShell," then right-click and select "Run as administrator." In the PowerShell window, type the following command exactly as shown and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage OneNote | Remove-AppxPackage

Wait about 10 seconds for the command to execute. This removes any remaining OneNote packages tied to your user account. If you see an error about no packages found, that's fine—it just means the first uninstall already handled them.

I always run this command even after a clean uninstall because some Microsoft Store apps leave behind hidden components that can cause conflicts later.

Press Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote—this is where OneNote stores user-specific settings. Right-click the OneNote folder and select Delete.

Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and look for any OneNote-related entries. Right-click and delete these as well. Be extremely careful here—only delete entries that clearly reference OneNote.

Real talk: Only do this if you're comfortable editing the registry. If you're unsure, skip this step—the first two methods remove 99% of OneNote's presence.

Restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect. After rebooting, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office. If OneNote files remain, delete the OneNote folder manually.

To confirm OneNote is fully gone, press Win+S, type "OneNote," and verify it doesn't appear in the search results. If it does, you may need to repeat Step 2 or check for leftover shortcuts in your Start menu.

You've got this—your system should now be completely free of OneNote, and you won't see any lingering files or conflicts.

Tips & tricks for completely removing OneNote from Windows 10

Here's what I learned after helping dozens of users completely purge OneNote from their systems—these tricks ensure no traces remain.

Backup First: Before making any changes, create a system restore point or backup your registry. I can't stress this enough—while these steps are safe, registry edits can cause issues if something goes wrong. Right-click "This PC," select "Properties," then "System protection" to create a restore point. This way, you can roll back if needed.

PowerShell Command Precision: When running the PowerShell command in Step 2, type it exactly as shown: Get-AppxPackage OneNote | Remove-AppxPackage—note the asterisks around OneNote. This ensures all OneNote-related packages are removed, not just the main app. The 10-second wait time is critical—don't rush it! If you see errors about missing packages, that's actually good news—it means the first uninstall worked completely.

Registry Cleanup Safety: If you're uncomfortable editing the registry, skip Step 3 entirely—the first two steps remove 99% of OneNote's presence. But if you proceed, be absolutely certain you're only deleting OneNote-related folders. Pro tip: Use the Find function (Ctrl+F) in Registry Editor to search for "OneNote" before deleting anything. This prevents accidental deletion of other software's registry keys.

Leftover Shortcuts Check: After completing all steps, check your Start menu for any lingering OneNote shortcuts. Right-click any remaining icons and select "Unpin from Start." You should also check your desktop and taskbar for any OneNote-related shortcuts. These can sometimes persist even after full uninstallation, and clicking them might reinstall OneNote.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10? Here are some of the most common concerns—and their answers—to help you navigate the process smoothly.