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Remove "Cross Device Experience Host" app

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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 uninstalls and disables the Cross Device Experience Host app, which connects your Windows PC to mobile devices.

Cross Device Experience Host enables interactions between your Windows PC and mobile devices 1. Removing this app will prevent you from using this feature to connect to your mobile devices 2 3.

It integrates with the Phone Link app, extending its functionalities 4 5. Phone Link lets you view and manage your Android phone's content (photos, messages, notifications) directly from your Windows PC 5. This script does not uninstall or disable Phone Link directly, but it removes components that Phone Link relies on for cross-device features.

The app provides several features:

  • Using your Android phone's camera as a webcam in Windows applications 3
  • Accessing photos and screenshots from your mobile device on your PC 6
  • Managing your phone's files through Windows File Explorer 4 5
  • Syncing notifications and messages from your phone to your PC 4 5

The app requires access to all system resources and writes registry entries and files that remain on your system even after uninstallation 1.

Removing this app enhances privacy by stopping device data sharing and eliminating a data collection path. The app has been reported to cause high CPU usage in some instances 4, so removing it may improve system performance.

This script enhances security by eliminating a connection pathway between your devices. Any software that enables device communication creates additional entry points that may be exploited. By removing this app, you reduce the number of ways your computer can be accessed or compromised through your mobile device.

Microsoft Store Page

Caution

Removing this app will:

  • Disable cross-device Phone Link features
  • Prevent using your phone's camera as a webcam in Windows

Overview of default preinstallation​

The cross-device camera functionality was initially introduced with Pixel phones through the beta version of Android 14 in 2023 7. This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows 6 8 9.

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

Technical Details​

This script:

  • Removes this app with ID MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice.
    • This app is a system component 9 [10].
    • It is mandatory for the cross-device connectivity feature to work 6 7.
  • Disables this feature using registry value HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility!CrossDeviceEnabled 2 9.
    • This setting is mandatory to use features from this app 6.
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:

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  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Cross Device Experience Host" app" 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​

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Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Cross Device Experience Host" app" 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 "Cross Device Experience Host" app
    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 'MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice_cw5n1h2txyewy" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice_cw5n1h2txyewy'; $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)"^""; }"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility!CrossDeviceEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility'; $data =  '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility' /v 'CrossDeviceEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Cross Device Experience Host" app" 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

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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