Completely Uninstall WPS Office: A Comprehensive Guide for Windows and Mac
WPS Office, a popular alternative to Microsoft Office, is a suite of office applications that includes Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets. While many users find it a useful and free alternative, there might come a time when you need to uninstall it. Whether you’re switching to a different office suite, experiencing issues with WPS Office, or simply want to free up disk space, completely removing the program is essential to prevent lingering files and potential conflicts.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the detailed steps to uninstall WPS Office on both Windows and Mac operating systems, ensuring that you remove all associated files and registry entries for a clean removal. We will cover the standard uninstall process, manual removal of leftover files, and registry cleaning (Windows only). Let’s dive in!
## Why Completely Uninstall WPS Office?
Before we proceed, it’s important to understand why a complete uninstall is necessary:
* **Free Up Disk Space:** WPS Office, like any software, consumes disk space. Uninstalling it completely ensures that all associated files are removed, reclaiming valuable storage.
* **Prevent Conflicts:** Leftover files from previous installations can sometimes conflict with other software, leading to errors and instability.
* **Ensure Privacy:** Removing all traces of WPS Office ensures that any personal data or settings associated with the program are completely erased.
* **Avoid Registry Clutter (Windows):** On Windows, applications often create registry entries. A complete uninstall removes these entries, keeping your registry clean and optimized.
## Uninstalling WPS Office on Windows
### Method 1: Using the Control Panel (Recommended)
The Control Panel is the standard method for uninstalling programs in Windows. Here’s how to uninstall WPS Office using this method:
1. **Close WPS Office:** Before you begin, ensure that all WPS Office applications (Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheets) are completely closed. Check the system tray (the area near the clock) for any WPS Office icons and close them as well.
2. **Open the Control Panel:**
* **Windows 10/11:** Click the Start button, type “Control Panel,” and press Enter. Or, right-click the Start button and select “Control Panel.”
* **Windows 7/8:** Click the Start button and select “Control Panel.”
3. **Navigate to Programs and Features:** In the Control Panel, click on “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.” If you’re in Category view, you may need to click “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” category.
4. **Find WPS Office in the List:** Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find “WPS Office” or any related WPS entries (e.g., WPS PDF, WPS Spreadsheets).
5. **Uninstall WPS Office:** Select “WPS Office” and click the “Uninstall” button at the top of the program list. A confirmation window will appear.
6. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions:** The WPS Office uninstaller will launch. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove the program. Ensure you select the option to remove all components.
7. **Restart Your Computer (Optional but Recommended):** After the uninstallation is complete, it’s recommended to restart your computer to ensure that all temporary files and processes are removed.
### Method 2: Using the Settings App (Windows 10/11)
Windows 10 and 11 offer an alternative method for uninstalling programs through the Settings app:
1. **Close WPS Office:** As with the Control Panel method, ensure that all WPS Office applications are closed.
2. **Open the Settings App:**
* **Windows 10:** Click the Start button and select the Settings icon (the gear icon).
* **Windows 11:** Click the Start button and select “Settings”.
3. **Navigate to Apps:** In the Settings app, click on “Apps” and then “Apps & Features.”
4. **Find WPS Office in the List:** Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find “WPS Office” or any related WPS entries.
5. **Uninstall WPS Office:** Click on “WPS Office” and then click the “Uninstall” button. A confirmation window will appear.
6. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions:** The WPS Office uninstaller will launch. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
7. **Restart Your Computer (Optional but Recommended):** Restart your computer after the uninstallation is complete.
### Method 3: Using the WPS Office Uninstaller (If Available)
WPS Office may include its own dedicated uninstaller application. If you can find it, this can be a reliable way to remove the software.
1. **Locate the WPS Office Installation Folder:** The default installation location is usually in the ‘Program Files’ or ‘Program Files (x86)’ directory on your C: drive (e.g., `C:\Program Files (x86)\Kingsoft\WPS Office`). You can find the exact location by right-clicking the WPS Office shortcut on your desktop or in the Start Menu, selecting ‘Properties’, and then looking at the ‘Target’ field.
2. **Find the Uninstall Executable:** Look for a file named `unins000.exe`, `Uninstall.exe`, or something similar within the WPS Office installation folder. The name may vary slightly depending on the WPS Office version.
3. **Run the Uninstaller:** Double-click the uninstaller executable to launch it.
4. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions:** The uninstaller will guide you through the process. Confirm that you want to remove all components of WPS Office.
5. **Restart Your Computer (Optional but Recommended):** Restart your computer after the uninstallation is complete.
## Removing Leftover Files and Folders (Windows)
After using the standard uninstaller, some files and folders might still remain on your system. To ensure a complete removal, follow these steps:
1. **Show Hidden Files and Folders:** By default, Windows hides certain system files and folders. To find and remove these leftover files, you need to enable the display of hidden items:
* **Windows 10/11:** Open File Explorer, click the “View” tab, and check the “Hidden items” box.
* **Windows 7/8:** Open File Explorer, click the “Organize” button, select “Folder and search options,” click the “View” tab, and select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives.”
2. **Delete the WPS Office Installation Folder:** Navigate to the folder where WPS Office was installed (usually `C:\Program Files (x86)\Kingsoft\WPS Office` or `C:\Program Files\Kingsoft\WPS Office`). If the folder still exists, delete it.
3. **Delete WPS Office Data Folders:** Check the following locations for leftover WPS Office data folders:
* `C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Kingsoft`
* `C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Kingsoft`
* `C:\ProgramData\Kingsoft` (This folder might be hidden. Ensure hidden items are visible.)
Replace “YourUsername” with your actual Windows username. Delete these folders if they exist.
4. **Search for WPS Office Files:** Use the Windows search function to look for any remaining files or folders related to WPS Office. Search for terms like “WPS,” “Kingsoft,” “KSOffice,” and the names of individual WPS applications (e.g., “Writer,” “Presentation,” “Spreadsheets”). Delete any files or folders that are found, being cautious not to delete any system files.
## Cleaning the Registry (Windows – Advanced Users Only)
**Warning:** Editing the Windows Registry can be risky and may cause system instability if not done correctly. Back up your registry before making any changes. It is best to seek assistance from an experienced user if you are not comfortable with editing the registry.
The Windows Registry stores settings and options for all programs installed on your computer. WPS Office may leave behind registry entries even after being uninstalled. To remove these entries:
1. **Back Up the Registry:** Before making any changes, create a backup of your registry. This allows you to restore your registry to its previous state if something goes wrong.
* Press `Windows Key + R` to open the Run dialog box.
* Type `regedit` and press Enter.
* In the Registry Editor, click “File” and then “Export.”
* Choose a location to save the backup file, give it a name (e.g., “RegistryBackup”), and select “All” under “Export range.” Click “Save.”
2. **Open the Registry Editor:**
* Press `Windows Key + R` to open the Run dialog box.
* Type `regedit` and press Enter. The Registry Editor will open.
3. **Search for WPS Office Registry Entries:** Use the Registry Editor’s search function to find and delete any registry entries related to WPS Office. Press `Ctrl + F` to open the Find dialog box.
* Search for the following terms, one at a time, and delete any keys or values that are found. Be *extremely* careful to only delete entries that are *clearly* related to WPS Office or Kingsoft:
* `WPS Office`
* `Kingsoft`
* `KSOffice`
* `wps.cn`
* When you find a matching key or value, right-click on it and select “Delete.” Confirm the deletion. Press `F3` to find the next occurrence of the search term.
4. **Be Cautious:** Only delete registry entries that you are absolutely sure are related to WPS Office. Deleting the wrong entries can cause problems with other programs or your operating system. If in doubt, leave the entry alone.
5. **Restart Your Computer:** After you have finished cleaning the registry, restart your computer to apply the changes.
## Uninstalling WPS Office on macOS
Uninstalling WPS Office on macOS is generally simpler than on Windows, but it’s still important to ensure that all associated files are removed.
### Method 1: Using the Application Folder (Recommended)
1. **Quit WPS Office:** Before uninstalling, make sure all WPS Office applications (Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheets) are closed. Also, check the Dock for any running WPS Office icons and quit them by right-clicking and selecting “Quit.”
2. **Open the Applications Folder:** Open Finder and navigate to the “Applications” folder.
3. **Find WPS Office:** Locate the “WPS Office” application icon in the Applications folder. It might also appear as individual application icons like “WPS Writer”, “WPS Presentation”, and “WPS Spreadsheets”.
4. **Move to Trash:** Drag the “WPS Office” application icon (or the individual application icons) to the Trash icon in the Dock. Alternatively, you can right-click on the icon and select “Move to Trash.”
5. **Empty the Trash:** Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash.” This will permanently delete the WPS Office application from your Mac.
### Method 2: Using Launchpad
1. **Open Launchpad:** Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock.
2. **Find WPS Office:** Locate the “WPS Office” application icon in Launchpad. It might also appear as individual application icons.
3. **Uninstall WPS Office:** Click and hold the “WPS Office” application icon (or the individual application icons) until it starts to jiggle. An “X” icon will appear in the corner of the icon.
4. **Click the “X” Icon:** Click the “X” icon to uninstall WPS Office. A confirmation window will appear. Click “Delete” to confirm the uninstallation.
### Removing Leftover Files and Folders (macOS)
Even after uninstalling WPS Office using the methods above, some files and folders may still remain on your Mac. To completely remove WPS Office, follow these steps:
1. **Open Finder:** Open Finder and press `Command + Shift + G` to open the “Go to Folder” dialog box.
2. **Search for WPS Office Files:** Enter the following paths, one at a time, and delete any folders or files related to WPS Office that you find:
* `~/Library/Application Support/Kingsoft`
* `~/Library/Containers/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac`
* `~/Library/Preferences/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac.plist`
* `~/Library/Caches/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac`
* `/Library/Application Support/Kingsoft` (Note: This one does *not* start with a tilde `~`.)
**Explanation of the Paths:**
* `~/Library/Application Support/Kingsoft`: This folder contains application-specific data and settings.
* `~/Library/Containers/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac`: This folder is used for sandboxed applications. WPS Office may use it to store user data.
* `~/Library/Preferences/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac.plist`: This file stores user preferences and settings for WPS Office.
* `~/Library/Caches/com.kingsoft.wpsoffice.mac`: This folder contains cached data used by WPS Office.
* `/Library/Application Support/Kingsoft`: This is the system-level Application Support directory.
**Important Notes:**
* The `~` symbol represents your user’s home directory. If you copy and paste the paths, macOS will automatically replace the `~` with the correct path to your home directory.
* Be very careful when deleting files and folders from the Library directory. Only delete files and folders that are clearly related to WPS Office or Kingsoft.
* If you don’t find a specific folder, it means that WPS Office didn’t create it on your system. Don’t worry about it and move on to the next path.
3. **Empty the Trash:** After deleting the files and folders, empty the Trash to permanently remove them from your Mac.
## Additional Tips and Considerations
* **Use an Uninstaller Tool (Optional):** If you’re having trouble completely uninstalling WPS Office, you can use a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools are designed to remove all traces of a program, including leftover files and registry entries. Popular options include Revo Uninstaller (Windows) and AppCleaner (macOS). However, exercise caution when using third-party tools, and make sure to download them from reputable sources.
* **Check for Browser Extensions:** WPS Office may install browser extensions. Check your browser settings and remove any extensions related to WPS Office or Kingsoft.
* **Run a Disk Cleanup:** After uninstalling WPS Office, run a disk cleanup utility to remove any temporary files and free up disk space. Windows has a built-in Disk Cleanup tool. On macOS, you can use the “Optimize Storage” feature.
* **Scan for Malware:** As a precaution, run a malware scan after uninstalling WPS Office. This will help ensure that your system is free from any potentially malicious software that may have been bundled with WPS Office.
* **Reinstalling WPS Office:** If you plan to reinstall WPS Office in the future, you may need to download the latest version from the official website ([https://www.wps.com/](https://www.wps.com/)). A clean install is always recommended after a complete uninstall.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Cannot Uninstall WPS Office:** If you’re unable to uninstall WPS Office using the standard methods, try running the uninstaller as an administrator. Right-click on the uninstaller executable and select “Run as administrator.”
* **WPS Office Still Appears in the Program List:** If WPS Office still appears in the list of installed programs after uninstalling it, try refreshing the list. In the Control Panel (Windows), press `F5` to refresh the list. In the Settings app (Windows), close and reopen the Apps & Features section.
* **Error Messages During Uninstallation:** If you encounter error messages during the uninstallation process, try restarting your computer and then attempting the uninstallation again. Also, make sure that you have sufficient permissions to uninstall the program.
* **Files Cannot Be Deleted:** If you’re unable to delete certain files or folders, it may be because they are in use by another program. Close any programs that may be using the files and try deleting them again. You may also need to take ownership of the files or folders before you can delete them. This can be done by right-clicking on the file or folder, selecting “Properties,” clicking the “Security” tab, and then clicking “Advanced.”
## Conclusion
Completely uninstalling WPS Office requires careful attention to detail, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that all associated files and registry entries are removed from your system. Whether you’re switching to a different office suite or simply want to free up disk space, a clean uninstall is essential for maintaining a healthy and optimized computer. Remember to back up your registry before making any changes, and exercise caution when deleting files and folders. By taking these precautions, you can safely and effectively remove WPS Office from your Windows or Mac computer. Good luck!