Microsoft Teams is widely used for messaging, video meetings, and collaboration. However, many users choose to remove it due to performance issues, storage concerns, or a preference for alternative tools. A common frustration is that Teams often comes back after uninstalling.
This happens because Microsoft installs additional background components that silently reinstall the app. This guide explains how to uninstall Microsoft Teams completely so it does not return after a restart or update.
Why Microsoft Teams Keeps Reappearing
Microsoft Teams is installed in two separate parts:
- Microsoft Teams (User App) – the main application you interact with
- Teams Machine-Wide Installer – a background installer that automatically reinstalls Teams for every user account
If you remove only the Teams app and leave the machine-wide installer, Teams will reinstall the next time you sign in. To fully uninstall Microsoft Teams, both components must be removed.
How to Uninstall Microsoft Teams on Windows
Follow these steps carefully to ensure complete removal.
Step 1: Fully Close Microsoft Teams
- Right-click the Teams icon in the system tray and select Quit
- Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Task Manager, select Microsoft Teams, and click End Task
Step 2: Uninstall the Microsoft Teams App
- Press Windows + I to open Settings
- Go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on older Windows versions)
- Locate Microsoft Teams, click it, then choose Uninstall
Step 3: Remove Teams Machine-Wide Installer
- In the same apps list, find Teams Machine-Wide Installer
- Click Uninstall
- This step is critical to stop Teams from reinstalling automatically
Step 4: Delete Remaining Files
- Press Windows + R, type
%appdata%, then press Enter - Delete the Microsoft > Teams folder
- Repeat the process with
%localappdata%and remove the Teams folder again
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
- Reboot your system to confirm that Teams no longer appears
How to Uninstall Microsoft Teams on macOS
On macOS, Teams does not reinstall itself as aggressively, but leftover files can still remain.
Step 1: Quit Microsoft Teams
- Right-click the Teams icon in the Dock and select Quit
Step 2: Remove the App
- Open Applications
- Drag Microsoft Teams to the Trash
Step 3: Delete Support Files
- Open Finder
- Click Go > Go to Folder
- Paste the following paths one by one and remove Teams-related files:
~/Library/Application Support~/Library/Caches~/Library/Preferences
- Look for folders or files containing “Teams” or “Microsoft Teams” and delete them
Step 4: Empty the Trash
- Empty the Trash to complete the uninstall
What to Do If Microsoft Teams Still Reinstalls
If Teams comes back on Windows, the machine-wide installer was likely missed. Double-check the apps list to confirm it is removed.
You can also:
- Open Task Manager > Startup
- Disable Microsoft Teams if it appears there
For stubborn cases, a reputable third-party uninstaller can scan for hidden files and registry entries and remove them completely.
Final Notes
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams properly requires more than clicking “Uninstall.” To stop it from reinstalling, you must remove both the Teams app and the Teams Machine-Wide Installer, then clear leftover files.
By following the steps in this guide, you can permanently remove Microsoft Teams from your Windows or macOS system and prevent it from coming back unexpectedly.
