Removing apps

Purpose

Selects the preinstalled Appx packages that are removed from Windows during installation. The app is removed from provisioning: newly created users no longer get it. Windows can later bring it back for a single account, for example through an update or the Store.

Availability

Selection in Home and Pro. Free has no selection: Setup Foundry removes the apps that are checked by default, and gaming stays installed.

Steps

1. On the Windows page, Remove preinstalled apps section, check or uncheck apps. Checked means removed. The ⓘ behind each app says what it does.
2. For games, use the Gaming section below it: Remove gaming components checks all three entries and asks first (Remove gaming during installation?, Remove). The entries can also be checked one by one, without the question.

Every change is saved at once for the installation profile currently set.

Checked by default are all apps under Remove preinstalled apps, listed alphabetically in two columns. Their labels are not translated; by package:

• Microsoft.Copilot, Microsoft.Windows.DevHome, microsoft.windowsfeedbackhub, microsoft.zunemusic (Media Player), Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub, Clipchamp.Clipchamp, microsoft.bingnews, MSTeams, Microsoft.Todos, microsoft.bingweather, Microsoft.OutlookForWindows (the new Outlook), MicrosoftCorporationII.QuickAssist, Microsoft.YourPhone (Phone Link), MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice, MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience (Widgets) and MicrosoftCorporationII.MicrosoftFamily.

Nothing under Gaming is checked by default:

• Xbox (app, Game Pass service, sign-in): three packages that are only removed together.
• Game Bar: the Win+G overlay, which is also the built-in screen recorder of Windows.
• Solitaire

Result

The medium removes the checked apps during the automatic setup on the target machine. The selection applies from the next medium you create; media already created do not change, and their card shows Changes require a rebuild.

Notes

Removal is not a lock: anyone with administrator rights can reinstall the Xbox app, for example. With Xbox (app, Game Pass service, sign-in) removed, Game Pass games can no longer be installed; gamepads keep working.

Three Xbox components always stay installed and are not offered: the component for game invites (TCUI), the game UI component and the speech-to-text captions.

The setup wizard has no step for the app selection; it is only on the Windows page.

If it does not work

• A removed app is back in one account: Removal happens at provisioning. Windows can later bring an app back for a single account, for example through an update or the Store.
• An unchecked app is missing anyway, or a checked one is still there: The medium predates the change. Create the medium again.
• The Xbox app is back: Removal is not a lock; an administrator can reinstall it from the Store.
• The Remove preinstalled apps section is missing: Free, see Availability.

See also

• Cleaning up Windows
• Selecting applications
• Editions at a glance