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Remove Windows apps

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This category covers the uninstallation of Windows apps.

Windows apps were introduced with Windows 8 and are typically acquired and installed through the Store app 1. Many of these apps come pre-installed on Windows by default 1.

Uninstalling unused or unwanted apps contributes to privacy by reducing potential data collection points and minimizing your digital footprint.

The applications are categorized as:

  • Installed: Included with the OS installation 1 2. They are stored in the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\{PackageFullName} directory 1.
  • Provisioned: Added when you log in with a new user account for the first time 1 2 3. They are located in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\{PackageFullName} 1. Following PowerShell command can be used to view all provisioned apps: Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Format-Table DisplayName, PackageName, PublisherId 3.
  • System apps: Integral components of Windows 1 2.

This category does not target framework apps. Framework apps are packages that get installed automatically if another application requires them 2. If there are applications depending on these framework packages, you cannot delete the framework app individually 2. However, if you remove those dependent applications, the associated framework package will be deleted 4. To list all framework apps, you can use the following command: Get-AppxPackage | Where-Object { $_.IsFramework -eq $true } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name.

Caution: Mixed Risk Levels

Be careful running these scripts. This category includes scripts with high impact:

  • 🔴 Some not recommended scripts. They should only be used by advanced users. They may break important functionality.
  • 🟡 Some recommended scripts only if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this this category.
  • 🟢 Some safely recommended scripts. Safe-to use for any user.
Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Scripts Count: 110 scripts

  • Subcategories: 14

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: All changes can be reverted

Apply now​

These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application. Additionally, you can apply only the recommended scripts, instead of applying all of the scripts.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Remove Windows apps.
  3. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

You can choose to apply only scripts with less impact or also those with higher impact:

Standard

Recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

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Strict

Recommended if you understand its implications. It may cause some non-critical features to no longer function correctly.

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All

Not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. It provides military-grade privacy, for special use-cases. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Scroll

Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

Standard​

This script includes only Standard recommendation level.

Safe for General Use

Standard scripts in this category is recommended for all users. They help to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Download only standard scripts by clicking on the button:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Strict​

This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand their implications of every single change. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Download Strict scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

All​

This script includes Standard, Strict recommendation levels along with unrecommended scripts.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. Some of these changes are NOT recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Download all scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 110 scripts and 14 subcategories.

Explore its 29 subscripts and 9 subcategories:

Remove MSN (Bing) apps

This category includes scripts to uninstall MSN (sometimes branded as "Bing" or just "Microsoft") applications from Windows. MSN apps come bundled with Windows and provide users with information from various domains such as weather, sports, news, and finance. While they offer easy access to curated content right from the desktop, not all users find them essential. If users prefer other sources or tools for this information, they might wish to uninstall these default apps to declutter their syste...

Remove extension apps

This category contains scripts to uninstall extension apps. Extension apps are add-ons that enhance functionality related to media, images, and other software capabilities. Many of these extensions come pre-installed on some Windows versions. While they can be helpful, not everyone needs them. Unused extensions can present security risks due to potential critical vulnerabilities. A critical vulnerability is a serious security risk that could allow attackers to gain full control of your system. T...

Remove Microsoft Office apps

This category focuses on scripts that help uninstall select Microsoft Office apps that may come pre-installed with Windows. Microsoft Office suite is a popular productivity suite, providing tools for a wide range of tasks like document creation, note-taking, and interactive presentation development. However, while many of these apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are commonly used, some other apps like My Office, OneNote, and Sway might not be essential for all users. Especially, if users have...

Remove Microsoft Store apps

This category houses scripts dedicated to uninstalling specific applications related to the Microsoft Store. As the digital storefront for Microsoft, the Microsoft Store is a hub for apps, games, movies, and other content. While it provides a convenient method of obtaining software, some users might wish to uninstall or disable it for reasons like performance optimization or data privacy concerns. As always, when disabling or uninstalling core system apps, it is crucial to be informed of the pot...

Remove Phone apps

This category features scripts for managing Windows apps related to smartphones. These scripts are for apps that connect smartphones to Windows, including dialer and other phone-related apps, even those that are outdated or replaced. The scripts aim to let users control whether these apps stay or go, improving their control over personal settings. These applications may pose privacy concerns due to their data sharing and synchronization capabilities. Removing these apps improves privacy by stopp...

Remove system apps

This category includes scripts for uninstalling default system apps in Windows. System apps are pre-installed applications located in the "C:\Windows*" directory. These apps are typically found on "C:\Windows\SystemApps\{PackageFamilyName}" or "C:\Windows\{ShortAppName}" folders. They are integral components of the Windows operating system. Removing certain system apps may improve privacy by reducing data collection. It can also improve system performance by freeing up system resources. These sc...

Remove "App Connector" app

This script uninstalls the "App Connector" Windows app. The App Connector app accesses elements like your location, camera, contacts, and calendars. This raises some concerns about user privacy. In simpler terms, the App Connector acts as a bridge, facilitating communication between Microsoft services and other apps over the Internet. It's primarily aimed at developers, enabling them to connect with Microsoft cloud services, such as Azure, or with other internet-based applications. It's essentia...

Remove "Get Help" app (breaks built-in troubleshooting)

This script removes the "Get Help" app. This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows. "Get Help" is an application designed to assist users with Windows-related issues. It offers solutions through troubleshooters, instant answers, and Microsoft support articles. It connects users with Microsoft support agents and the Microsoft community for personalized assistance. Removing "Get Help" not only supports a minimalist system approach but also helps reduce potential data collection. T...

Remove "Microsoft Pay" app

This script uninstalls the Microsoft Pay app. Microsoft Pay, previously known as "Microsoft Wallet", is a cloud-based payment and wallet technology provided by Microsoft. This system enables users to make payments through Microsoft Pay on websites, within Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, and through Microsoft Bot Framework bots. The primary function of Microsoft Pay is to facilitate payments using banks and credit cards. The app integrates with the Microsoft Edge browser and stores card da...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

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