Remove "Microsoft Store" app
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high 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 aims to uninstall the Microsoft Store app (also known as Store 1).
Microsoft has mentioned that it doesn't officially support the uninstallation of this app 2 3. Removing it may lead to unwanted effects 3.
The Microsoft Store is subject to the data collection policies laid out in the Windows privacy statement 4. It can collect diagnostic data about your device, its settings, and capabilities 5. This data is sent to Microsoft and can include unique identifiers, potentially allowing Microsoft to recognize a user and their device 5. Additionally, the data can offer insights into your device's settings, capabilities, health, visited websites, device activity (or usage), and, the memory state of your device 5. Sometimes, this may inadvertently include parts of a file you are using 5.
From a security perspective, the Microsoft Store increases potential risks, as it has known vulnerabilities 6.
To address privacy and security concerns, it may be beneficial to disable the Microsoft Store and explore alternative methods for software package management. However, considering the official stance from Microsoft on uninstallation, this action may affect some core functionalities of the operating system.
Overview of default preinstallation
This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows 1 2 7 8 9.
OS | Version | Existence |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 | 19H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 20H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 22H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 22H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 23H2 | ✅ |
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.
Sources
- AppLocker CSP - Windows Client Management. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/applocker-csp
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231006175115/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/applocker-csp - Get the provisioned apps on Windows client operating system - Windows Application Management. Microsoft Learn. (2022).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/provisioned-apps-windows-client-os
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221101231811/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/provisioned-apps-windows-client-os - Can't remove, uninstall, or reinstall Microsoft Store app - Windows Client. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/cannot-remove-uninstall-or-reinstall-microsoft-store-app
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231004093559/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/cannot-remove-uninstall-or-reinstall-microsoft-store-app - Please include ability to opt out of telemetry and clear documentation on how to opt out · Issue #179 · microsoft/winget-cli · GitHub. (2023).
Original: https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/issues/179
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231004094058/https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/issues/179#issuecomment-631183527 - Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy in Windows - Microsoft Support. (2023).
Original: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/diagnostics-feedback-and-privacy-in-windows-28808a2b-a31b-dd73-dcd3-4559a5199319
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231004094657/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/diagnostics-feedback-and-privacy-in-windows-28808a2b-a31b-dd73-dcd3-4559a5199319#ID0EDF - Search: Microsoft Store. NVD - Results. nist.gov. (2023).
Original: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/search/results
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231004100105/https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/search/results?form_type=Basic&results_type=overview&query=microsoft+store&queryType=phrase&search_type=all&isCpeNameSearch=false - Pre-installed Microsoft Store app is removed at first Windows logon - Windows Client. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/pre-installed-microsoft-store-app-removed-logon
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231004094641/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/pre-installed-microsoft-store-app-removed-logon - Keep removed apps from returning during an update - Windows Application Management. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/remove-provisioned-apps-during-update
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231230073627/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/remove-provisioned-apps-during-update - List of installed apps: Windows 11. TAS Research Report: Desktop Windows Optimisation. www.sita.co.za. (2024).
Original: https://www.sita.co.za/sites/default/files/documents/Product_Certification/TASRR40_Windows_optimisation.pdf
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240613063743/https://www.sita.co.za/sites/default/files/documents/Product_Certification/TASRR40_Windows_optimisation.pdf
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How to apply or restore "Remove "Microsoft Store" app" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
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Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
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Apply with privacy.sexy
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Help
How to apply or restore "Remove "Microsoft Store" app" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Remove "Microsoft Store" app
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: Uninstall 'Microsoft.WindowsStore' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'Microsoft.WindowsStore' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'Microsoft.WindowsStore' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.WindowsStore_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)"^""; }"
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
Help
How to apply or restore "Remove "Microsoft Store" app" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
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
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- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
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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.