How To Fully Uninstall Microsoft Teams: Your Complete Guide For A Clean Slate

Meagan Torp 23 Aug 2025

Are you finding yourself ready to part ways with Microsoft Teams? Maybe it is slowing things down a bit, or perhaps you just do not use it anymore, you know. Whatever your reason, reclaiming that digital space on your device feels pretty good. Many people find themselves needing to remove this collaboration tool, whether it is for troubleshooting purposes, moving to a different version, or simply because it is no longer needed in their daily work. This guide is here to help you get it off your system completely.

Getting rid of Microsoft Teams can sometimes feel like a bit of a puzzle, especially since it is not always like removing just any other program. It often installs itself for every user on a computer, and sometimes, it seems to have a way of popping back up even after you thought you removed it. This can be rather frustrating, to be honest, particularly when you are trying to free up resources or just tidy up your digital environment.

This article will walk you through the various ways to remove Microsoft Teams from your devices, covering Windows, Mac, and even Android. We will look at different methods, from simple settings adjustments to more technical steps, making sure you get rid of not just the app, but also those stubborn leftover files. You will learn how to prevent it from reinstalling automatically, which is a common headache for many users, so stick around.

Why Uninstall Microsoft Teams?
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Windows
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Mac
- Method 1: Dragging to Trash
- Removing Associated Files on Mac
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Android
Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Issues
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion: A Clean Digital Space

Why Uninstall Microsoft Teams?

There are several good reasons someone might want to remove Microsoft Teams from their device. For one thing, it can take up a fair bit of space, and if you are not using it, that is just wasted storage, you know. Some people find that it uses a lot of system resources, which can make their computer run slower, especially if they have an older machine. Others might be switching to a different communication platform, so keeping Teams around just does not make sense.

Sometimes, too, people just need a fresh start. Maybe the app is acting up, or perhaps it is not updating correctly, and a complete uninstall and reinstall is the only way to fix things. Or, it could be that you are moving to the new Teams client and want to ensure the old one is completely gone before installing the new version. Whatever the specific reason, getting rid of software you do not need is a good practice for keeping your devices running smoothly, basically.

Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Windows

Removing Microsoft Teams from a Windows computer can involve a few steps, and it is almost always a good idea to remove both the Teams app and its "Machine-Wide Installer" if you see it. This ensures a more complete removal, you know. There are several ways to go about this, depending on what version of Windows you have and how thorough you want to be.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings

This is usually the simplest way to start the removal process, and it works for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is pretty straightforward, actually, and often the first place people look when they want to get rid of an app.

Open your Windows "Settings" app. You can do this by clicking the Start button and then selecting the gear icon, or by searching for "Settings" in the search bar.
Once in Settings, look for "Apps" on the left-hand side, then click on "Apps & features" (or "Installed apps" on Windows 11).
Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find "Microsoft Teams." You might also see "Teams Machine-Wide Installer." It is a good idea to remove both if they are present, so just do that.
Click on "Microsoft Teams," then select the "Uninstall" button. Confirm your choice when prompted.
Repeat the process for "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" if you found it on the list. This helps prevent Teams from automatically popping back up later, which can be a bit annoying.

Method 2: Using the Control Panel

The Control Panel is another classic Windows tool for managing programs, and it is still a very reliable way to uninstall software. This method is, you know, quite similar to using the Settings app but offers a slightly different interface, which some people prefer.

Search for "Control Panel" in your Windows search bar and open it.
Once the Control Panel is open, select "Programs" and then "Programs and Features."
A list of all your installed software will appear. Scroll down until you locate "Microsoft Teams" and "Teams Machine-Wide Installer."
Right-click on "Microsoft Teams" and choose "Uninstall." Follow any on-screen instructions.
Do the same for "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" to make sure everything is cleared out. This step is pretty important for a full removal, really.

Method 3: Using PowerShell for a Deeper Clean

For those who want a more technical approach or are dealing with stubborn installations, PowerShell can be a very powerful tool. This method is particularly useful for removing the new Teams client from all user profiles on a computer, so it is quite effective.

Open PowerShell as an administrator. You can do this by searching for "PowerShell" in the Start menu, right-clicking on "Windows PowerShell," and selecting "Run as administrator."
For the new Microsoft Teams client, you can use a specific command. Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -Name "MicrosoftTeams" | Remove-AppxPackage
This command aims to remove the app for the current user. If you are looking to remove the new Teams from all users' computers, a different approach might be needed, sometimes involving specific scripts or deployment tools, you know.
For older versions or the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer," you might need to find the specific product ID or use a different command. However, the above command is generally effective for the modern app package.

Method 4: Using Windows Package Manager (Winget)

Winget is a command-line tool that lets you manage applications on Windows, and it is becoming a really popular way to install and uninstall software. It can be quite efficient, actually.

Open your Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator.
To uninstall Microsoft Teams using Winget, type the following command and press Enter:
winget uninstall Microsoft.Teams
You might need to confirm the uninstall process. This works for the main Teams application, and it is a pretty quick way to do it.
If you are dealing with different versions, like the "free," "paid," or "new" versions, their app IDs might vary slightly, but "Microsoft.Teams" is a common one, you know.

Stopping Teams from Reinstalling Automatically

One of the most common frustrations people have is that Microsoft Teams seems to reinstall itself, especially after a Windows update or when signing into a new user profile. This can be very annoying, to be honest. To prevent this, you need to ensure the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" is also removed, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, sometimes Teams is part of the Office suite, so if you uninstall Office, Teams might go with it, or it might try to come back. You can learn more about how to manage software installations on our site.

Another approach involves checking your startup programs. Even if Teams is uninstalled, sometimes components might try to load. You can open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, and disable any Teams-related entries. This will not uninstall it, but it will stop it from loading when your computer starts, which is a good step, you know, in managing its presence.

Removing Leftover Files on Windows

Even after uninstalling the app, Teams can leave behind some files and folders, sometimes in your user's AppData directory. These leftover bits are pretty common with many programs, actually, and cleaning them up helps ensure a truly fresh slate.

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type %appdata% and press Enter. This will open your AppData Roaming folder.
Look for a folder named "Microsoft Teams" and delete it.
Go back to the AppData folder (you can click "AppData" in the address bar at the top of the window), then open the "Local" folder.
Look for another "Microsoft Teams" folder here and delete it as well.
You might also find folders related to Teams in "ProgramData" or other user profiles, especially if it was installed machine-wide. Searching your C: drive for "Teams" can sometimes reveal these, but be careful not to delete important system files, you know.

Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Mac

Removing Microsoft Teams from a Mac is generally a bit simpler than on Windows, but just like with Windows, there can be leftover files that you might want to clean up. It is a good practice to ensure everything is gone, really.

Method 1: Dragging to Trash

This is the standard way to uninstall most applications on a Mac. It is very straightforward, actually.

Open your "Applications" folder. You can do this by clicking "Finder" in your Dock, then selecting "Applications" from the sidebar.
Locate the "Microsoft Teams" application icon.
Drag the "Microsoft Teams" icon to the "Trash" in your Dock.
Right-click on the "Trash" icon and select "Empty Trash." This removes the application itself.

Removing Associated Files on Mac

Just like on Windows, Teams can leave behind support files, caches, and preferences on your Mac. Getting rid of these ensures a complete removal and helps free up space, you know.

Open "Finder."
From the menu bar at the top of your screen, click "Go," then select "Go to Folder..."
Type ~/Library/Application Support/ and press Enter.
Look for a folder named "Microsoft Teams" and drag it to the Trash.
Repeat the "Go to Folder" step for the following paths, deleting any "Microsoft Teams" or "com.microsoft.teams" related folders or files you find:
- ~/Library/Caches/
- ~/Library/Preferences/
- ~/Library/Logs/
- ~/Library/Containers/ (look for anything related to Teams)
Remember to empty your Trash after deleting these files. This process is pretty thorough, actually.

Uninstalling Microsoft Teams on Android

Removing Microsoft Teams from an Android mobile device is usually much simpler than on a computer. Mobile apps are designed to be easier to manage, so it is not too much of a hassle, you know.

Open your device's "Settings" app.
Scroll down and tap on "Apps" or "Applications" (the exact name might vary slightly depending on your Android version).
Find "Microsoft Teams" in the list of installed applications and tap on it.
On the app info screen, you will see an "Uninstall" button. Tap it.
Confirm your choice when prompted. This will remove the app and its data from your Android device.

Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Issues

Sometimes, despite following the steps, Microsoft Teams just does not want to go away. This can be very frustrating, but there are a few things you can try. One common issue is that the app might be running in the background, preventing a full uninstall. Make sure to close Teams completely before trying to remove it, you know, perhaps by checking your taskbar or system tray.

If you are still having trouble, especially on Windows, you might need to use a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools are designed to dig deeper and remove stubborn files that regular uninstallers miss. Also, if Teams is automatically reinstalling, double-check that you removed the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" and disabled any startup entries. For more advanced issues, referring to official documentation, like Microsoft's support pages, can provide specific guidance for your situation. You can also explore other troubleshooting tips on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions people ask when they are trying to get rid of Microsoft Teams, you know.

Why is Microsoft Teams so hard to uninstall sometimes?

Microsoft Teams can be tricky to uninstall for a few reasons. It often installs for every user on a computer, and it might have a "Machine-Wide Installer" component that needs separate removal. Also, it can sometimes try to reinstall itself, especially if it is tied to other Microsoft Office installations or system updates, which is pretty common, actually.

How do I stop Microsoft Teams from reinstalling itself after I remove it?

To prevent Teams from reinstalling, make sure you remove both the main "Microsoft Teams" app and the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" if it is present. Additionally, check your startup programs in Task Manager and disable any Teams-related entries. Sometimes, it can also be linked to other Office apps, so ensuring a clean sweep of all related components is key, you know.

What leftover files should I delete after uninstalling Teams?

After uninstalling, you should look for and delete "Microsoft Teams" folders in your user's AppData directory (both "Roaming" and "Local" folders on Windows). On a Mac, check the Library folders for "Application Support," "Caches," "Preferences," and "Logs" for any Teams-related files. Getting rid of these helps ensure a complete removal and frees up space, basically.

Conclusion: A Clean Digital Space

Taking the time to fully uninstall Microsoft Teams can truly make a difference in how your device performs and how much digital clutter you have. Whether you are using Windows, Mac, or an Android phone, there are clear steps you can follow to get rid of the app and its associated components. By tackling those leftover files and preventing automatic reinstallation, you are essentially giving your system a fresh start, which feels pretty good, you know. It is all about reclaiming control over your digital environment and ensuring that only the tools you truly need are taking up space.

Uninstall Microsoft Teams - Digiboon Knowledge Base

How to fully uninstall Microsoft Teams on Windows 10 - Pureinfotech

National Times