Unwanted Apps in Start, Need help with script

Hey thanks I tired to open the above dir name, but it came up invalid

so I thought I might be on to something I tried to search for a folder "TileDataLayer" everywhere under %appdata% with hidden system files enabled and still I don't see this directory anywhere maybe the structure was changed under 1803 idk.

I also tired to remove the above AppUserModelID packages but they only appear after, If I was to left click tile icons via start which allows it to grab and download them from Microsoft store...after then they will show up.

also disabling suggestions in settings and running a few reg entries such as...

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore" /v "AutoDownload" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v "DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "ContentDeliveryAllowed" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "OemPreInstalledAppsEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "PreInstalledAppsEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "PreInstalledAppsEverEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "SilentInstalledAppsEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "SoftLandingEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "SubscribedContentEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" /v "SubscribedContent-338388Enabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications\Microsoft.Windows.Conte ntDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy" /v "Disabled" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager\Subscriptions" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager\SuggestedApps" /f

...to prevent future updates of said applications via cloud but not too worried about that atm as I can't even remove them in the first place lol

Microsoft moved the whole thing elsewhere and check the link below which might help

Troubleshooting Script for Windows 10 Start Menu Issues - Jose Espitia

o/ thxguise

shimshom said:

Microsoft moved the whole thing elsewhere and check the link below which might help

Troubleshooting Script for Windows 10 Start Menu Issues - Jose Espitia

I played with the whole DefaultLayouts.xml thing last night for a few hours actually... importing exporting modifying etc, mainly this is for GPO this will have no help as i'm using a current login not sysprep. Tho I was able to simulate removing the tiles section...the actual shortcuts to the apps listed in the first post still remain in the All Programs list...Initially I thought I was on to something but after several hours came to a dead end with the store apps still present on start to no avail...

Try3 said:

Have you already removed these underhand App shortcuts manually? If not, get NirSoft's RegistryChangesView and use it to identify what happens in the Registry when one is uninstalled manually. That information might help in understanding how to automate the removal.

Denis

OH NirSoft I love his software I didn't even think to try this LOL we may be on to something here now! after comparing the Registry Snapshots I created before and after uninstalling the store apps via tiles I have stumbled across this branch hive typed in small font below also with the keys listed in a photo long below where the info is stored...

[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\Cache\DefaultAccount\]

Now If i'm able to completely uninstall these store links and unpin everything to have a clean looking "LTSB ish looking start" w/o tiles etc...I just might be able to export such data to be included during my process...

This def helps towards my goal here and may-be a solution! ...Needs further testing will keep posted.

MrWhispers said:

o/ thxguise

Mission Accomplished

Care to elaborate on how you achieved it so others can also do it

shimshom said:

Care to elaborate on how you achieved it so others can also do it

I have already its in post #15

Code:

$START_MENU_LAYOUT = @"
<LayoutModificationTemplate xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" Version="1" xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification">
    <LayoutOptions StartTileGroupCellWidth="6" />
    <DefaultLayoutOverride>
        <StartLayoutCollection>
            <defaultlayout:StartLayout GroupCellWidth="6" />
        </StartLayoutCollection>
    </DefaultLayoutOverride>
</LayoutModificationTemplate>
"@

$layoutFile="C:\Windows\StartMenuLayout.xml"

#Delete layout file if it already exists
If(Test-Path $layoutFile)
{
    Remove-Item $layoutFile
}

#Creates the blank layout file
$START_MENU_LAYOUT | Out-File $layoutFile -Encoding ASCII

$regAliases = @("HKLM", "HKCU")

#Assign the start layout and force it to apply with "LockedStartLayout" at both the machine and user level
foreach ($regAlias in $regAliases){
    $basePath = $regAlias + ":\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows"
    $keyPath = $basePath + "\Explorer" 
    IF(!(Test-Path -Path $keyPath)) { 
        New-Item -Path $basePath -Name "Explorer"
    }
    Set-ItemProperty -Path $keyPath -Name "LockedStartLayout" -Value 1
    Set-ItemProperty -Path $keyPath -Name "StartLayoutFile" -Value $layoutFile
}

#Restart Explorer, open the start menu (necessary to load the new layout), and give it a few seconds to process
Stop-Process -name explorer
Start-Sleep -s 5
$wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $wshell.SendKeys('^{ESCAPE}')
Start-Sleep -s 5

#Enable the ability to pin items again by disabling "LockedStartLayout"
foreach ($regAlias in $regAliases){
    $basePath = $regAlias + ":\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows"
    $keyPath = $basePath + "\Explorer" 
    Set-ItemProperty -Path $keyPath -Name "LockedStartLayout" -Value 0
}

#Restart Explorer and delete the layout file
Stop-Process -name explorer

# Uncomment the next line to make clean start menu default for all new users
#Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath $layoutFile -MountPath $env:SystemDrive\

Remove-Item $layoutFile

Powershell script to remove all tiles. This works on Windows 10 Builds only.