How to Delete a Microsoft Word Document or File

Many different ways to do this

Want todelete a Microsoft Word documentfrom your Windows computer? We’ll show you different ways to get it done. The steps in this tutorial apply to all versions of Microsoft Word and Word for Microsoft 365.

Delete Documents in the Word App

You can delete Word documents from the Microsoft Word application’s home page.

Microsoft Word also lets youremove documents from the recently opened sectionwithout deleting them from your device.

Open Word, right-click a file you want to remove from the “Recent” list, and selectRemove from list.

Delete Word Document Using File Explorer

You can delete a Word document through theWindows File Explorer. Use this method if your PC doesn’t have the Microsoft Word app or you know the document’s location.

Close the document if it’s open in Microsoft Word or a different app, and follow the steps below.

You can also navigate to a document’s location through the Microsoft Word app. OpenWordand go to theHome tabto see recently opened documents. Right-click the document and selectOpen file location.

Alternatively, right-click the file and select theBin iconon the context menu.

Alternatively, right-click the selected documents and select theBin iconon the context menu.

If you can’t find a document, type its name (or related keywords) into the taskbar or Start menu search box. You can alsoperform an in-depth search in File Explorerusing the search bar in the “This PC” tab.

Delete Word Documents Saved in OneDrive

Microsoft allows you to access and delete Word documents uploaded/saved to OneDrive from the Word app.

You can use the methods above to delete documents created in other Microsoft Office apps—Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, etc.

Recover Deleted Word Documents

If you deleted a Word document in the app or File Explorer, you canrestore it from the Recycle Bin. Word documents deleted in OneDrive folders can be recovered in the OneDrive web app.

Launch theRecycle Bin app, locate and right-click the Word document, and selectRestore. Windows will move the file back to its original folder.

Note:Items in the OneDrive recycle bin are permanently deleted after 30 days. For work and school accounts, recycle bin items are automatically deleted in 93 days.

Delete Unneeded Word Documents in Windows

It’s super easy to remove Word documents from a Windows computer. You can delete the files directly in the Word app or through File Explorer. You could also usethird-party file managersto get the job done.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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How to Delete a Microsoft Word Document or File#

Delete Documents in the Word App#

Delete Word Document Using File Explorer#

Delete Word Documents Saved in OneDrive#

Recover Deleted Word Documents#

Delete Unneeded Word Documents in Windows#

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