Member Avatar for purpleboo88

Hi, My system is Windows XP Home. When I click ' remove' in the Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel for 'Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 trial'; nothing happens. Anything else I want to remove works ok. Any suggestions? Is it possible the program has been removed although it is visible? Thanks in advance.

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A short, practical add-on: the Control Panel Remove button doing nothing usually means the Office uninstall entry or Windows Installer state is corrupted, not that the program is harmlessly “already gone.” was right to check administrator access, was right to try other UI routes, and ’s Microsoft link points to the manual cleanup — which is valid but registry‑risky.

Try these, in order (least risk → more intrusive):

  1. Run the original Office 2007 installer/setup from your CD or downloaded installer and choose Repair (then try Remove). That often restores missing uninstall entries and lets the normal uninstaller run. Microsoft: Uninstall Office from a PC. (support.microsoft.com)

  2. Use Microsoft’s automated Office removal: the Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) includes an Office‑uninstall scenario that can scrub Office 2007. It’s safer than hand‑editing registry keys. SaRA Office uninstall scenario. (learn.microsoft.com)

  3. If the installer list is corrupted, try Microsoft’s “Program Install and Uninstall” troubleshooter (it fixes broken install/uninstall registry entries). [Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed]. (support.microsoft.com)

  4. As a last, non‑Microsoft option, reputable third‑party uninstallers (for example, Revo Uninstaller) can perform a forced uninstall and scan for leftover files/registry entries — use with care and only from the vendor site. [Revo Uninstaller download/info]. (revouninstaller.com)

Before any manual registry work: create a System Restore point and export any registry keys you plan to change (Regedit → File → Export). If you’re not comfortable with registry edits, don’t proceed — ask a tech‑savvy friend or professional. [How to create/enable System Protection and restore points]. (support.microsoft.com)

If none of the safer options work, the Microsoft manual cleanup route mentioned earlier can remove Office remnants — but it requires care.

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Member Avatar for tony59aa

At first I thought you might be logged in as a GUEST and not administrator but I have tried to uninstall the Trial version on both my VISTA machine and XP Home machine using my GUEST account. It gives me a warning that I must be logged in as an administrator.

I have not had this problem in the past but there is one thing, and I am guessing, have you activated the trial version? If not that may be the problem.
Activate then remove.

As far as if it is there or not, go to your c: drive (Or the OS drive) and explore "Program Files". Under that you will find both the "Activation Assistant" and "Microsoft office suite".
If they are both full of folders and files then it is not removed. It should also be displayed in the all programs tree.

I suppose the non-adminstrator account was not the issue.

Member Avatar for GrimJack

I had the same problem with those guys on my Vista home pro. Then I discovered that I wanted to learn to use the darned 'ribbon' anyway. Have you tried 'add/remove windoze components'?

Member Avatar for purpleboo88

Apologies for being a dewbie newbie! I don't use forums and this is my first time. As far as I thought, I had posted only once. Thanks for the link. It will solve my problem.

Member Avatar for purpleboo88

I had the same problem with those guys on my Vista home pro. Then I discovered that I wanted to learn to use the darned 'ribbon' anyway. Have you tried 'add/remove windoze components'?

I did try that but it didn't work. JBennett gave me a Microsoft link that will solve the problem. It is a complicated process involving deleting stuff out from my registry and I am the sort to make fatal mistakes, so I will just leave it as it is. Thanks for your help anyway.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Yeah thats the reccomended way for office 2007. There was a cleanup tool for older versions but it says specifically NOT to use it with 2007, so for now the manuak method is the only way.

Member Avatar for purpleboo88

Thanks for your help and attention! I will recommend your site to my friends.

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