A method for the non-destructive removal of very small fixed window elements (40) from vehicles uses a cutting wire that is threaded through the adhesive bonding a window element to a vehicle, that is placed in a loop around the perimeter of the window element and that is pulled by wire wind-up elements (3) of a window element removal device. The device (1) is fitted to a window element frame (41), is expanded into firm clamping engagement with the window element frame (41) and is locked in the position firmly engaging the window element frame (41). The wire wind-up elements (3) are then operated until the wire cuts through the adhesive at the edge of the side window element around the entire perimeter thereof.