How to Uninstall OneNote From Windows 10: Clean Registry Keys and App Data

Uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10 can feel like trying to remove a stubborn stain—except the wrong move risks leaving behind digital crumbs that slow your system down. ⚡ I’ve helped dozens of users clean up their Windows installs, and the key is knowing where OneNote hides its files and registry keys.

The process takes about 10 minutes if you follow the right steps, but skipping the cleanup can leave behind leftover data or broken shortcuts.

Before you start, back up any notes you’ve saved locally—OneNote stores them online by default, but local files might still linger. Check if OneNote is tied to an Office Suite installation, as removing it separately could break other apps.

My go-to method uses Windows Settings first, but if that fails, we’ll dive into Command Prompt for a deeper clean. The goal is to wipe OneNote completely, not just hide it.

You’ll end up with a system free of OneNote’s residual files, a cleaner Start menu, and no more unexpected pop-ups asking to sync your notes. The cleanup also helps if you’re troubleshooting other Office apps or just want a leaner Windows 10 setup.

Here’s how to do it right—without leaving a trace.

Fair warning: some users hit permission errors or stuck uninstallers, so I’ll share the fixes I’ve used to rescue those situations. Between you and me, the Command Prompt method is the nuclear option—but it works when Settings fails. Let’s get started with the foolproof approach first.

What you need

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

Here's the clean removal process I've used on multiple systems—no leftover files or registry clutter.

Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features. In the search bar at the top-right, type OneNote to locate it quickly. The app will appear in the list—it might show as Microsoft OneNote 2016 or similar depending on your version.

Click OneNote, then select Uninstall from the menu that appears. Windows will prompt you to confirm—click Uninstall again. Wait for the process to complete, which typically takes about 30-60 seconds. If you see a message about removing associated files, confirm it. This removes the main application but leaves behind registry entries and cached data.

Here's the thing—this standard uninstall often misses registry keys. I always proceed to the next steps to ensure a truly clean removal.

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 path may vary slightly depending on your Office version (check for folders like 15.0 or 17.0 if this doesn't exist).

Right-click the OneNote folder and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted. Repeat this for any other OneNote-related folders you find under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office. Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and look for any entries containing OneNote in the name. Delete these entries one by one.

I know it sounds scary, but the Registry Editor is just a database—you can't "break" Windows by deleting these specific keys. Just avoid deleting anything outside the OneNote-related folders.

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0 (replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username). Delete the entire OneNote folder if it exists here. If you don't see the AppData folder, enable Hidden Items in File Explorer's View tab.

Next, go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 (or Office15 for older versions) and delete any OneNote.exe file you find. Also check C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 for additional copies. Empty your Recycle Bin afterward to free up space.

Real talk: Some users report OneNote shortcuts lingering on the Start menu or taskbar. Right-click any remaining OneNote shortcuts and select Delete to remove them completely.

Press Win + S, type OneNote, and confirm it no longer appears in the search results. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Startup tab, and disable or remove any OneNote-related entries you find.

For thoroughness, restart your computer. After rebooting, check Apps and Features again to ensure OneNote doesn't reappear in the list. If you encounter any issues with other Office applications, run a quick repair through Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair.

You've got this. This process ensures OneNote is completely gone from your system—no hidden files, no leftover registry entries, just a clean slate.

Tips & tricks for a complete OneNote removal

A few key strategies that'll make sure OneNote is truly gone from your system—no hidden traces left behind.

Backup First: Before diving into the Registry Editor in Step 2, I can't stress this enough—create a system restore point. Press Win + R, type create, and hit Enter to open System Restore. This way, if anything goes wrong (and it rarely does), you can easily revert. I've used this safety net on dozens of systems without issues—it's your insurance policy for peace of mind.

Registry Navigation Tip: When you're in regedit for Step 2, take your time navigating to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote. If you don't see the 16.0 folder, check for 15.0 or 17.0—this depends on your Office version. Pro tip: Press F3 in regedit to search for "OneNote" across all keys—this helps catch any hidden entries you might miss manually.

Hidden Files Visibility: In Step 3, when you're deleting the AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote folder, make absolutely sure you've enabled Hidden Items in File Explorer's View tab. I've seen users skip this and wonder why OneNote keeps reappearing—those hidden files contain cached data that can trigger reinstallation prompts. Also, if you're using a 64-bit system, check the Program Files (x86) folder too—some older installations leave files there.

Startup Items Check: After completing Step 4, don't forget to check the Startup tab in Task Manager. OneNote sometimes sneaks back in through startup programs, and I've seen it happen even after a full uninstall. While you're there, disable any other suspicious-looking entries—it's a great system maintenance habit to get into. Between us, this extra step saved me from a frustrated call from a friend who thought OneNote was still installed after following the steps.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about uninstalling OneNote from Windows 10? You’re not alone! Here are some common concerns—and their answers—to make the process smoother for you.