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Disable Outlook automatic installation

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script prevents Windows from automatically installing Microsoft Outlook on your computer. This script does not remove Outlook if it's already installed on your system.

On modern Windows systems, the Outlook app is either preinstalled or automatically installed through Windows updates 1. This script blocks the automatic installation of Outlook by Windows updates, giving you more control over what software runs on your computer.

It improves your privacy by preventing the installation of software that collects user data without explicit consent. Outlook collects your personal information—including emails, contacts, usage patterns, and system information 2. It shares this data with third-party organizations and uses it to display targeted advertisements 2.

This script enhances user control by letting you decide whether and when to install Outlook, instead of having it forced onto your system automatically.

It also improves system performance by preventing an additional application from consuming system resources like memory, disk space, and processing power when you don't need it.

It increases security by reducing the attack surface of your system. Every installed application introduces potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited. Outlook is specifically known to have vulnerabilities in the past that are fixed via updates 3. By not installing unnecessary software, you decrease the number of potential security weaknesses on your computer.

Caution

If you regularly use Outlook for email, you'll need to manually install it after running this script. This script only prevents automatic installation, not manual installation.

Technical Details​

This script soft deletes values in the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate registry key 1 4. This removes the Windows orchestrator entry to prevent reinstallation of Outlook 1.

Windows orchestrator is a Windows feature that automatically installs pre-selected applications on new devices without user consent 5. This is the mechanism that forces Outlook installation, which this script prevents.

For Windows 11 Version 23H2 and newer, removing this key is not necessary 1. This script explicitly configures Windows for backwards compatibility.

This configuration prevents the installation of Outlook during the OoBE (Out of Box Experience) phase 4. OoBE is the initial setup phase of a Windows PC, when Microsoft automatically installs certain applications without asking for user consent 6. By modifying the Windows registry, this script blocks this automatic installation mechanism specifically for Outlook.

The script also configures the BlockedOobeUpdaters value in the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate registry key 1. This prevents Windows updates from reinstalling Outlook 1.

Some community findings show that configuring the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler\OutlookUpdate key can also prevent this issue 7. This script does not use this approach, sticking only to officially documented configurations by Microsoft.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

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  • Offline usage
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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic installation" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic installation" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable Outlook automatic installation
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Soft-delete the registry key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "function Copy-Acl($Src, $Dst) { $srcKeys = @(Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $Src -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue); foreach ($key in $srcKeys) { $dstKey = Join-Path $Dst $key.PSChildName; Copy-Acl -Src $key.PSPath -Dst $dstKey; }; $acl = Get-Acl -Path $Src -ErrorAction Stop; $sections = [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlSections]::All -band (-bnot [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlSections]::Owner); $sddl = $acl.GetSecurityDescriptorSddlForm($sections); $acl.SetSecurityDescriptorSddlForm($sddl, $sections); Set-Acl -Path $Dst -AclObject $acl -ErrorAction Stop; }; function Rename-KeyWithAcl($Old, $New) { try { Copy-Item -LiteralPath $Old -Destination $New -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { throw "^""Failed to copy: $_"^""; }; try { Copy-Acl -Src $Old -Dst $New; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to copy ACL: $_"^""; }; try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $Old -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; } catch { try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $New -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to clean up: $_"^""; }; throw "^""Failed to remove: $_"^""; }; }; $rawPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate'; $suffix='.OLD'; $global:ok = 0; $global:skip = 0; $global:fail = 0; function Rename-KeyTree($Path) { Write-Host "^""Processing key: $Path"^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping: Key does not exist.'; $global:skip++; return; }; $values = (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Property); foreach ($value in $values) { Write-Host "^""Renaming '$value'"^""; if ($value.EndsWith($suffix)) { Write-Host 'Skipping: Has suffix.'; $global:skip++; continue; }; $backupName = $value + $suffix; Write-Host "^""Renaming to '$backupName'."^""; try { Rename-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $value -NewName $backupName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully renamed.'; $global:ok++; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to rename value: $_"^""; $global:fail++; }; }; $subkeys = @(Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $Path -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue); foreach ($key in $subkeys) { Rename-KeyTree $key.PSPath; }; Write-Host "^""Renaming key '$Path'."^""; if ($Path.EndsWith($suffix)) { Write-Host 'Skipping: Has suffix.'; $global:skip++; } else { $backupPath = $Path + $suffix; while (Test-Path -LiteralPath $backupPath) { $backupPath += $suffix; }; Write-Host "^""Renaming to '$backupPath'."^""; try { Rename-KeyWithAcl -Old $Path -New $backupPath -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully renamed.'; $global:ok++; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to rename: $_"^""; $global:fail++; }; }; }; Write-Host "^""Soft deleting registry key '$rawPath' recursively."^""; $hive = $rawPath.Split('\')[0]; $path = $hive + ':' + $rawPath.Substring($hive.Length); Rename-KeyTree $path; $totalItems = $global:ok + $global:skip + $global:fail; Write-Host "^""Total items: $totalItems, Renamed: $global:ok, Skipped: $global:skip, Failed: $global:fail"^""; if (($totalItems -eq 0) -or ($totalItems -eq $global:skip)) { Write-Host 'No items were processed. The operation had no effect.'; } elseif ($global:fail -eq $totalItems) { throw "^""Operation failed. All $global:fail items could not be processed."^""; } elseif ($global:ok) { Write-Host "^""Successfully processed $global:ok item(s)."^""; }"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate!BlockedOobeUpdaters"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate'; $data =  '["^""MS_Outlook"^""]'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe\OutlookUpdate' /v 'BlockedOobeUpdaters' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic installation" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category includes scripts to remove or disable Microsoft's new Outlook application, and prevent automatic migration or installation. The new Outlook...

— Remove Outlook

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Outlook See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Remove "Outlook for Windows" app
Disable Outlook automatic migration
Disable Outlook automatic redirection
Remove "Try the new Outlook" toggle
Disable Outlook preview prompts

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process