How to Remove the Grammarly Extension from Chrome on Windows — a Comprehensive Guide - Chrome Story

This article explains how to remove the Grammarly extension from Google Chrome on Windows. You will learn simple removal steps. You will also learn deeper fixes. These include removing the desktop app, clearing leftover files, handling extensions that reappear, and removing Chrome management policies.

Read this guide if you want a clean Chrome without Grammarly. Follow the numbered methods in order. Start with the quick, safe options. Move to advanced fixes only if needed.

Quick removal (the fast path)

1. Right-click the Grammarly icon in the Chrome toolbar.
2. Choose Remove from Chrome.
3. Confirm the removal in the dialog.

This is the fastest method. It removes the extension and its toolbar icon. If the icon is missing, use the next method.

2. Remove via Chrome’s Extensions page.
3. Open Chrome.
4. Click the three dots at the top right.
5. Select More tools > Extensions.
6. Find Grammarly.
7. Click Remove and confirm.

This works when the toolbar icon is hidden. It also shows other installed extensions.

3. Short route using the address bar.
   a. Open Chrome.
   b. Type chrome://extensions and press Enter.
   c. Locate Grammarly and click Remove.

Use this when you want the fastest keyboard route.

Turn Grammarly off (temporary option)

1. Right-click the Grammarly icon.
2. Select Manage extension.
3. Toggle the blue switch to turn it off.

Turning the extension off prevents it from running. It leaves the extension installed. Remove it later if you want it gone permanently.

If Grammarly is also installed as a Windows app

Grammarly offers a desktop app for Windows. Removing the Chrome extension may not remove that app. If the Grammarly icon still appears or a system tray app remains, uninstall the Windows app.

1. Quit the Grammarly desktop app.
   a. Click the tray icon.
   b. Choose Quit or Exit.
2. Open Windows Settings.
   a. Press Windows key + I.
   b. Go to Apps > Installed apps or Apps & features.
   c. Find Grammarly for Windows.
   d. Click Uninstall and follow prompts.

After uninstalling, restart the PC and check Chrome. If the extension persists, continue with the advanced steps.

Remove leftover extension files from your profile (manual)

Chrome stores extension files in your user profile. Deleting the extension folder removes any leftover files. Do this only if Chrome is closed.

1. Close Chrome completely.
   a. Ensure no Chrome processes run in Task Manager.
2. Open File Explorer.
   a. In the address bar type:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
   b. Press Enter.
3. Find the Grammarly folder.
   a. The folder names are long IDs.
   b. You can search folders for files containing the word grammarly.
   c. Delete the folder(s) that belong to Grammarly.
4. Restart Chrome.

This permanently removes stored extension files.

Be careful not to delete other extension folders. If unsure, back up the Extensions folder first.

Remove an extension that keeps reappearing

If Grammarly reappears after removal, try these checks in order.

1. Chrome Sync.
   a. If you use Chrome sync, the extension may reinstall from another device.
   b. On each synced device, remove Grammarly.
   c. Or temporarily disable sync: Chrome Settings > You and Google > Sync > Turn off.
2. Enterprise or policy management.
   a. Some devices are managed by an organization.
   b. Management can force-install extensions.
   c. Check for the Managed by your organization message in Chrome menu.
   d. If present, contact your admin or remove Windows registry policies per Google’s instructions.
3. Reinstall then remove.
   a. Reinstall Grammarly from the Chrome Web Store.
   b. Then remove it via chrome://extensions or toolbar.
   c. Sometimes this clears corrupt records and fixes the reinstallation loop.
4. Check for a companion app.
   a. Uninstall the Grammarly desktop app as described above.
   b. Remove any startup entries that relaunch Grammarly. Use the Task Manager’s Startup tab.
5. Scan for rogue tasks.
   a. Open Task Manager.
   b. Look for unknown tasks that mention Grammarly.
   c. End the tasks and remove the associated app or scheduled task.

Community reports show these steps solve stubborn reinstalls. If the problem persists, move to registry cleanup.

Reset Chrome if the extension keeps returning

Resetting Chrome clears extensions, cookies, settings, and startup pages. It restores Chrome to default settings. Keep bookmarks and saved passwords if signed into Chrome.

1. Open Chrome Settings.
   a. Click three dots > Settings.
   b. Scroll to Reset and clean up.
2. Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
   a. Click Reset settings.
   b. Confirm.
3. Restart Chrome.

Reset removes extensions and most configuration changes. It is a strong measure. Use it when other steps fail.

Use Chrome Cleanup and antivirus tools

If an extension behaves like malware, use Windows security tools.

1. Use Chrome’s built-in cleanup.
   a. In Settings, go to Reset and clean up.
   b. Select Clean up computer.
   c. Click Find and follow prompts.
2. Run Windows Defender or your antivirus.
   a. Do a full system scan.
   b. Quarantine or remove any threats found.
3. Remove leftover scheduled tasks.
   a. Open Task Scheduler.
   b. Check for tasks that reinstall apps or extensions.
   c. Delete suspicious tasks.

Malicious or hijacked extensions sometimes reinstate themselves. Scanning and cleaning the system helps stop that.

Revoke Grammarly permissions on specific sites

If you only want Grammarly off on certain sites, disable it per site.

1. Visit the website.
2. Click the Grammarly toolbar icon.
3. Switch off Check for this site or similar toggles.

This is useful when you want Grammarly in other contexts but not on a particular page.

Advanced cleanup: uninstall registry entries for Windows app lists

If Grammarly appears in Apps & features but uninstall fails, remove the uninstall record.

Warning: This is advanced. Back up registry before changes.

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Go to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
   and
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
3. Search for keys that reference Grammarly.
   a. Use Edit > Find and type Grammarly.
   b. If found, export the key for backup.
   c. Delete the key only if it matches the program you removed earlier.
4. Reboot and check Apps & features.

This removes broken uninstall entries that block normal removal. Community and support forums document this method for stubborn uninstall records.

What to do if you cannot remove Grammarly because Chrome is managed

If Chrome shows Managed by your organization, you have limited control. The options are:

1. Contact your IT administrator.
   a. Ask them to remove the enforced extension.
   b. They can change group policy or management console settings.

If the PC belongs to your employer, do not remove policies without permission. Doing so may violate company rules.

Final checks and verification

1. Clear cache and cookies.
   a. Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
   b. Choose Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
   c. Click Clear data.
2. Review extension list.
   a. Go to chrome://extensions.
   b. Confirm Grammarly is not listed.
3. Check tasks and startup items.
   a. Task Manager > Startup tab.
   b. Remove any Grammarly related startup entries.
4. Check other browsers and devices.
   a. Remove Grammarly from synced devices.
   b. Check Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and other Chromium browsers.

Troubleshooting table (quick reference)

1. Extension icon missing, extension still active
   a. Use chrome://extensions and remove there.
2. Extension reappears after removal
   a. Disable Chrome sync or remove from all synced devices.
   b. Check for Chrome policies and clear registry keys.
3. Uninstall button greyed out or blocked
   a. Check for device management.
   b. Create a new Chrome profile if you cannot remove managed settings.
4. Grammarly desktop app still present after extension removal
   a. Uninstall from Apps & features and remove startup entries.
5. Unexpected behavior after removal
   a. Reset Chrome settings.
   b. Run antivirus and Chrome cleanup.

Remember These

1. Back up the registry before editing.
2. Export important Chrome data. Sync bookmarks or export them.
3. If the device is managed, consult IT first.
4. Use official sources for downloads and removal steps.
5. If you suspect malware, disconnect from the network and scan offline.

Official Grammarly support documents provide the standard removal steps. Google’s support pages explain extension management and policy removal. Use those guides as primary references.

Summary

Start with Chrome’s toolbar or chrome://extensions. Remove the extension and confirm. If Grammarly returns, check sync across devices. Uninstall the Grammarly desktop app from Windows if present. Remove leftover files from the Chrome profile folder. If Chrome is managed, remove policy registry keys or contact your admin. Use Chrome reset and cleanup tools for persistent or suspicious behavior.