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Remove "Mail and Calendar" app (outdated)

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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 removes the older default email and calendar application from Windows.

It's also known as:

  • Previously called "Outlook Calendar and Mail" app 1
  • Technically called "Windows Communications Apps" 2
  • Sometimes referred to as "Mail, Calendar, and People" 2 3

Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People ended on December 31, 2024 3. Microsoft has replaced it with the new Outlook app 3.

The Mail and Calendar app lets you manage multiple email accounts, organize your calendar, and stay connected with contacts 4. It supports various email services including Office 365, Exchange, Outlook.com, Gmail, and Yahoo 4.

Some features include:

  • Word-like email composition with tables, pictures, and bullets 4
  • Touch gestures for reading and organizing emails 4
  • Navigation bar to switch between email and calendar 4
  • Calendar with day, week, and month views 4
  • Contact browsing and multiple attachment downloads 4

Removing this app improves your privacy by eliminating an application that sends data to Microsoft servers 5. Microsoft acknowledges in its Windows privacy guide that removing this app reduces data collection 5.

This removal also enhances your security. Unsupported apps create security risks as they no longer receive updates for new vulnerabilities. The app contains a security flaw that saves email attachments to your computer without you opening emails 6. Harmful files from phishing emails can be stored on your device even if you don't click anything 6. If you use the same Microsoft account on multiple devices, harmful files can spread to all through Microsoft's sync feature 6. This security issue has existed since at least 2020 and bypasses the traditional security advice about "not clicking suspicious links" 6.

Removing the app frees up storage space and reduces background processes, improving system performance.

Microsoft Store Page

Overview of default preinstallation​

This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows 1 7 8 9 10.

OSVersionExistence
Windows 1019H2✅
Windows 1020H2✅
Windows 1021H2✅
Windows 1022H2✅
Windows 1121H2✅
Windows 1122H2✅
Windows 1123H2✅
Windows 1124H2❌
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.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Mail and Calendar" app (outdated)" 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.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Mail and Calendar" app (outdated)" 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: Remove "Mail and Calendar" app (outdated)
    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
:: Uninstall 'microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Mail and Calendar" app (outdated)" 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 covers the uninstallation of Windows apps. Windows apps were introduced with Windows 8 and are typically acquired and installed through the...

— Remove Windows apps

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Windows apps See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
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Remove "Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders" app

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