1

I have created a script that removes the unwanted applications from Windows after installing it on a new computer.

Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsalarms* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *solitairecollection* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage

cleanmgr /SAGERUN:1221

I am wondering about one thing: can I make this permanent? I was surprised when a new update brought back half of the apps. Is there a way to get updates only for the operating system and not for these crapwares?

Just for the record, this is not about how to uninstall certain features. This is about how to remove them PERMANENTLY.

l1x
  • 123

2 Answers2

5

You don't have to do anything any more.

Since 1703 release Windows feature updates have not reinstalled apps you have chosen to remove. I remove apps in the same manner using powershell and can confirm they are not readded and this has worked since 1703 up to and including the current 1809 release.

Uninstalled in-box apps no longer automatically reinstall

Starting with Windows 10, version 1703, in-box apps that were uninstalled by the user won't automatically reinstall as part of the feature update installation process.

Additionally, apps de-provisioned by admins on Windows 10, version 1703 machines will stay de-provisioned after future feature update installations. This will not apply to the update from Windows 10, version 1607 (or earlier) to version 1703.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/whats-new-windows-10-version-1703

lx07
  • 3,266
3

After (again) removing the apps with PowerShell, you can try disabling "consumer features" to prevent reinstallation:

  • Press Windows, type regedit and press Enter.
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ (or copy/paste that into the Regedit location bar)
  • Create a subkey under Windows: Right-click the Windows key and choose New > Key; name it CloudContent.
  • Create a value: Right-click CloudContent and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value; name it DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures.
  • Double-click the new value to set it to 1 and click OK.

Disable Consumer "Features"

You might also want to create a new value, DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures, and set it to 1 to minimize network traffic between your PC and Microsoft's servers.

N.B. Take this answer with a grain of salt: Microsoft has ignored update settings in the past.

DrMoishe Pippik
  • 37,887