Info regarding the default APPS in GR/RTM of W10

heyyahblah · 02 Jul 2015

Hey guys,

With the recommendation from z3r010 I thought it would be better to create a new thread. I am curious that since we are getting closer and closer to the release date of W10, does anyone have any idea or source information in regards that we will be able to remove the apps completely from W10 in the GR/RTM versions?

I mean for all of us that do not have an Xbox and such and who will choose to use 3rd party programs like VLC, and Winamp, and etc, does anyone know if it will be possible to remove these APPS, if not all of them? Examples include: music, photos, people, Xbox, etc? Maybe even possibly the Windows Store, lol? Is there any information on this topic yet?

Thank You.

Kari · 02 Jul 2015

Works like a charm at least in Build 10159, I have no reason to believe this would not work in later builds / RTM / GA:

This command in an elevated PowerShell removes the Mail & Calendar app:

Code:

Get-appxprovisionedpackage –online | where-object {$_.packagename –like "*windowscommunicationsapps*"} | remove-appxprovisionedpackage –online

The highlighted part in above command is the app name, in case of Mail & Calendar app its windowscommunicationsapps.

A few examples: Using the command above, replace the app name with People to remove the People App, BingWeather to remove Weather App, BingNews to remowe the News App, and ZuneVideo to remove the Film & TV App.

You can get a full list of all native apps in elevated PowerShell with following command:

Code:

Get-appxprovisionedpackage –online | Out-GridView

Info regarding the default APPS in GR/RTM of W10-remove-apps-windows-10.png

(Click to enlarge)

Replace the Out-GridView parameter with clip and the list will be copied to Windows clipboard, you can then paste it from there to a document and save it:

Code:

Get-appxprovisionedpackage –online | clip

Kari

GEWB · 02 Jul 2015

+1 for your post. No hard info but generally looks like the user has lost even more control over their computer with Win 10. However, I'll play with the .ADML files (and others) to see what I can do...I'll total bork my system before I wipe it!

I started this journey in October and I'll see it through to July 28th but that's it as I REALLY don't like this version of Windows. I hate the bloatware that I don't want but insists on running, the further loss of user controls (version-to-version), the massive security risk potential ( don't EVEN get me started on that issue), the default install settings, etc. - no I'm not going to discuss these here - flame away as it doesn't matter to me.

BTW, loaded Mint 17.2 a few days ago - I think it's the beginning of a new friendship.

Regards,
GEWB

GEWB · 02 Jul 2015

Kari -

My 88 year old father will never be able to follow your instructions.

How about writing a third-party application to select and delete desired Windows bloatware applications?

Regards,
GEWB

Kari · 02 Jul 2015

Sorry, an OP asked something, I answered. You are of course welcome to code the app to remove them.

If removing the native apps which are not meant to be removed by normal user, which as far as Windows design and its functionality goes has on purpose been made somewhat more difficult than a simple DEL key press, should I have rather replied with "Because it is a bit complicated, I will not post the instructions although I know how it's done"?

Honestly, I have not the faintest clue about how on earth I could have told this in any simpler way?

Kari

heyyahblah · 02 Jul 2015

Thank You Very Much for your help Kari. It's a shame that there is no option to remove them natively from the system but we must use the PowerShell method. The only thing that scares me if you remove a little too much, might it botch the way Windows 10 will function. Causing errors or BSOD or things of that nature? I guess only trial and error will tell via VM-WARE or install remove and see how the O/S functions.

I agree with you GEWB. I do not think anyone is going to flame you. Microsoft was dumb to remove gadgets feeling they were a security risk and people were not using them. When in fact a lot of users found them quite handy actually, including myself. In regards how you mentioned the massive security risk potential in APPS, I agree with you there. It will not take long for hackers to exploit the code and find vulnerabilities to screw up your PC even more via STORE APPS or the built in BLOATWARE apps on the machine that we are unable to uninstall via settings panel. That is truly a shame. I hope the RTM lets us remove all the ones we do not want/need.

I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft forces us to have them that someone will code a 3rd party app to either forcefully remove them, or some of those ISO builders out there (the ones that throw around modified copies of Windows) will remove them from the install so when you install W10 they won't even be part of the O/S. Honestly, that would not surprise me one bit. So I dont think anyone will flame you.

Thanks for the tips Kari. I'm a little savvy so the steps you posted should be quite forward for me to follow, however if I run into some problems I will let you know. Thanks for the post.

I just hope I won't botch Windows by removing these forcefully ....

GEWB · 02 Jul 2015

Kari -

Not a flame but acknowledgement of your skills and a blast to the stupidity of Microsoft.

If you write the application, English, Finnish or German (my dad is fluent in all of those) I'll write the Help system (in English but dad will translate to Finn and German).

Regards,
GEWB

Kari · 02 Jul 2015

I am sorry about my reaction. I can understand Microsoft, there's a reason why those native apps should remain in the system and personally I am against removing them. They do not take any resources when not used, they can be unpinned from Start. They belong to the core Windows and should remain where they are.

To write an app to do something like one you suggest, you need a lot of nerves. It will most probably cripple a few Windows setups, causing your inbox to flood with angry messages. You need to support it, check the app IDs and such for each upgrade and so on. An example: if someone had created an app to remove the Mail, People & Calendar app in build 10074, it had only removed Mail & Calendar in build 10158 because MS changed the app; when one and same app called WindowsCommunicationsApps (system name) earlier included all three "sub apps" Mail, People and Calendar, it now only includes Mail and Calendar because People app has been taken out of it and is now its own app.

From a coders point of view these constant changes make it quite difficult, something I am not willing to do.

GEWB · 02 Jul 2015

Hello Kari -

Understood and appreciated (as I spent 13 years on teams writing custom enterprise software).

Regards,
GEWB

heyyahblah · 02 Jul 2015

At least we can remove some of them now thats Kari.
@GEWB, maybe when the release comes out we will have more options. I guess right now basically its a waiting game. If the GA/RTM doesn't allow full remove of such unnecessary apps like Xbox for example, someone will code an app to remove them or Microsoft might get enough complaints via Feedback that they might themselves release a patch/fix to remove them from the system, only time will tell.

These apps have been bothering me since the beginning so I figured I would ask the pros in here what options I have. Its good to hear that Kari provided us with some answers and we have something rather then nothing. So we can wait it out, or test to see which ones we can remove and if it will keep the system stable or not. I will be doing a lot of playing around via VM.

Kiitoksia oikein paljon