How to Uninstall OneNote for Windows 10: Complete Removal Guide

OneNote keeps coming back like a bad habit. I’ve removed it dozens of times for friends, and Windows 10 keeps sneaking it back in.

Here’s the thing—uninstalling it properly takes more than hitting delete. Between you and me, the built-in Windows tools often miss leftover files that trigger automatic reinstallation. We’ll need to use PowerShell for a clean sweep.

You’ll get a permanent removal that survives updates, with zero remnants cluttering your system. No more mysterious OneNote icons popping up in your start menu.

Works on any Windows 10 version, even the stubborn ones that fight back.

What Youll Need

Step-by-Step Instructions for Removing OneNote from Windows 10

Here’s the cleanest way I’ve found to fully remove it without leftover files.

Right-click the OneNote icon in the system tray and select Exit. Check the taskbar and close any open notebook windows. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, then end any remaining OneNote.exe processes under the Processes tab.

This prevents the installer from locking files during removal. If you skip this, the uninstaller may hang or fail with an error about files in use. Verify no OneNote processes remain before proceeding.

Open Settings from the Start menu, then navigate to Apps > Apps & features. In the search bar, type OneNote. Click the entry for Microsoft OneNote (not the Store version if both appear), then select Uninstall.

Confirm the prompt and wait for the progress bar to complete. The process typically finishes in under 30 seconds. You’ll see a confirmation message when done.

Press Win+R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneNote, and delete the entire folder. This removes cached notebooks and temporary files. For a deeper clean, also check %appdata%\Microsoft\OneNote and delete that folder if present.

Open Regedit via the Start menu, then navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneNote. Right-click and delete the entire key. Be cautious—only delete OneNote-related entries to avoid system issues. Verify the key is gone before closing.

Right-click any OneNote shortcuts on the desktop or Start menu and select Delete. These are just pointers, but leaving them creates clutter. Check the Start Menu > All Apps list and remove any lingering entries under the Microsoft Office folder.

If you used OneNote’s desktop shortcut for quick access, this step ensures no dead links remain. The system will no longer attempt to launch a program that doesn’t exist.

Restart your computer to clear any remaining processes or cache. After booting, search for OneNote in the Start menu—no results should appear. Open Settings > Apps again and confirm the entry is gone from the installed apps list.

For absolute certainty, use Windows Search to look for any files named OneNote.exe or folders containing OneNote in their path. If nothing appears, the removal is complete.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These insights come from years of cleaning up incomplete OneNote removals in my tech center.

Process Verification: In Step 1, don’t just close visible windows—use Task Manager to catch hidden OneNote.exe processes. I’ve seen users skip this and wonder why the uninstaller freezes. The system tray icon often hides background processes that will block removal.

Registry Caution: When editing the registry in Step 3, back up the key first by right-clicking and selecting Export. This creates a safety net if you accidentally delete the wrong entry. I learned this after a painful lesson during my early Microsoft days.

Shortcut Hunting: For Step 4, use Windows Search to find all OneNote shortcuts at once. Type “OneNote” in the Start menu, right-click the app, and select “Open file location” to reveal hidden shortcuts you might otherwise miss.

Verification Depth: In Step 5, don’t just check the Start menu—run a full system search for “OneNote.exe” in File Explorer. I’ve found lingering files in Downloads folders and custom installation directories that most users overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 is a straightforward process, whether you use the Settings app or Control Panel. 🎯 If you’re clearing up space or switching to another note-taking tool, you’re now ready to proceed with confidence. For more tips on optimizing your system, check out our other troubleshooting guides!