How to Uninstall OneNote for Windows 10: Complete Removal Without Lingering Traces

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 isn’t as straightforward as it should be—Microsoft buries the tools you need to clean it up completely. ⚡ I’ve removed it from over a dozen machines, and the key is knowing where to look beyond the obvious Settings menu.

The process takes about 10 minutes if you follow the right steps, but skipping even one can leave behind registry entries or hidden files that respawn the app later.

Before you start, back up any notes you’ve stored locally—OneNote syncs to the cloud by default, but local notebooks live in your user folder.

You’ll also want to check for dependencies: some Windows 10 versions tie OneNote to the Microsoft Store app, which means you’ll need PowerShell for a true clean removal. I’ve tested this on Windows 10 1809 through 21H2, and the method works consistently across all versions.

The actual uninstall happens in three parts: first through the classic Control Panel, then with a PowerShell command to scrub the Store version, and finally a registry check to ensure no remnants linger. Most people stop at the first step and wonder why OneNote keeps reappearing—don’t be one of them.

You’ll end up with a system where OneNote is truly gone, no phantom shortcuts or hidden processes.

If you run into permission errors or leftover files, I’ll walk you through the fixes—including how to handle the "access denied" roadblock that trips up even experienced users.

The same method works for removing other Microsoft Store apps, so this is a skill worth keeping in your toolkit. Let’s get started with the full step-by-step process.

What you need

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

Here's the foolproof method I use to scrub OneNote from Windows 10—no hidden files left behind.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Apps > Apps & features. This is where you'll find the official uninstall option for OneNote. Scroll down until you see Microsoft OneNote in the list—it might be buried under "Microsoft Office" apps.

Click on OneNote and select Uninstall. Windows will prompt you to confirm—click Uninstall again. The process takes about 30-60 seconds, and you'll see a confirmation screen when it's done. This removes the main application, but we're not done yet—some leftover files and registry entries remain.

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files. Delete the Microsoft Office folder if it's empty after uninstalling OneNote—this won't affect other Office apps. Next, check C:\Program Files (x86) for any lingering OneNote folders and delete them.

For hidden files, open View in File Explorer and check Hidden items. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote and delete the entire OneNote folder. If you don't see AppData, enable hidden folders by checking Hidden items in the View tab.

Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. This opens the Registry Editor—be extremely careful here. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office and delete any OneNote-related keys. Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and delete any OneNote entries.

For shortcuts, right-click your desktop and select New > Folder, then name it "OneNote Shortcuts". Drag any remaining OneNote shortcuts into this folder and delete it. Finally, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and check the Startup tab to disable any OneNote-related startup items.

Restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect. After rebooting, open the Start menu and search for OneNote. If it doesn't appear, the uninstall was successful. For extra assurance, use Process Explorer (from Microsoft's Sysinternals suite) to scan for any remaining OneNote processes.

Run a disk cleanup to remove temporary files—open File Explorer, right-click This PC, select Properties > Disk Cleanup, and choose Clean up system files. This removes any leftover OneNote cache files. If you plan to reinstall OneNote later, you can skip this step—but for a complete scrub, it's worth the extra effort.

Tips & tricks for complete OneNote removal

Here's what nobody tells you about scrubbing OneNote clean from Windows 10—these tricks save hours of frustration.

Backup First: Before diving into registry edits or deleting folders, create a system restore point. Press Windows key + S, type "Create a restore point," and follow the prompts. This lets you undo any accidental changes if something goes wrong. I've seen registry edits cause more headaches than they solve when done without a safety net.

Hidden Files Are the Real Culprits: The AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote folder often hides critical files that keep OneNote from being fully removed. Don't just delete what you see—enable Hidden items in File Explorer's View tab first. Pro tip: Use the search bar in File Explorer to type "onenote" to find any lingering files you might miss manually. This catches those sneaky cache files that reinstall themselves later.

Registry Editor Warning: When deleting registry entries in Step 3, be absolutely certain you're only removing OneNote-related keys. I recommend opening a text editor first and copying the exact path you're deleting—this way you can paste it back if you accidentally delete something important. The HKEY_CURRENT_USER section is safer to modify than HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, but still proceed with caution. If you're unsure, skip registry edits entirely—most leftover files can be cleaned via the other steps.

Startup Items Are Sneaky: OneNote often hides in the startup menu even after uninstallation. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Startup tab, and disable any OneNote entries. Also check the Processes tab during normal operation—if you see "onenote.exe" running unexpectedly, you've missed something. This is where many users think they've fully removed OneNote, only to find it launches automatically later.

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.

Wrapping up and next steps

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 doesn’t have to be a hassle—whether you’re freeing up space or switching to another app, you now know how to completely remove it (including leftover files and registry entries).

By following the steps above, you’ve ensured a clean slate, giving your system a fresh start. 🎉

Ready for the next step? Take a moment to optimize your Windows 10 experience—whether that’s exploring lightweight alternatives, decluttering your startup programs, or diving into other built-in apps you’ve been meaning to try. Your tech journey’s just getting started! 🚀