error 44, old ghost files will not let me install 365.

William LeFever 0 Reputation points
2026-02-21T20:23:56.7433333+00:00

will not let me install 365. need help with the error. new computer

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows
0 comments No comments

1 answer

Sort by: Newest
  1. AI answer

    2026-02-21T20:24:05.2566667+00:00

    To resolve the installation issue with Microsoft 365 due to error 44 and old ghost files, you can follow these steps:

    1. Uninstall Office: Go to "Apps & Features" or "Programs and Features" and uninstall any existing Office installations.
    2. Delete Remaining Folders: Manually delete any leftover folders related to Office in the following locations:
      • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office
    3. Clean the Registry: Use caution when editing the registry. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office, and delete any keys related to Office.
    4. Restart Your Computer: Reboot your PC to complete the uninstallation process.
    5. Reinstall Microsoft 365: After completing the above steps, try to reinstall Microsoft 365 from the official Microsoft website.

    If you continue to experience issues, ensure that your computer meets the system requirements for Microsoft 365 and that there are no permission issues blocking the installation.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.