Microsoft no longer allows to block Store access in Windows 10 Pro

Mystere said:

To be honest, while this move certainly doesn't build good will, it makes a lot of sense. Companies, even smallish businesses should probably be going to the Volume Licensing route anyways. It does save money, but most smaller companies don't know enough about VL pricing or how to go about it.

However, there are any number of options one can use to still block access, such as blocking the store via firewall.

Getting companies to move to Enterprise licensing also means they can use the Windows Update For Business to manage their update process, as well as give control to allow users to download certain app store apps if they so want.

I think Microsoft has a lot of customers that are too afraid to change, or too slow to change, or just don't know enough to change, and they're trying to push them towards the way that makes the most sense overall.

That's likely no big deal for a large company that already has volume licensing. If your a small company though, they may just buy their PC's with Pro preinstalled and run on the OEM license. Switching to volume licensing could end up being an added expense. Pro will do Windows Update For Business too I believe, likely has to be joined to a domain though. I'm not an IT type guy so I could be way off track on this.

I have just checked my build and the Group Policy Editor no longer lists this option either.

Tried to run the tutorial .reg and it also does not work --- the default is back after a reboot .....

Not too phased by it, but still do not like the idea ... What else is MS planning to remove form the WIN 10 Pro version?

What "benefits" are there going to be in running WIN 10 Pro??

Geoff Daniell said:

I have just checked my build and the Group Policy Editor no longer lists this option either.

Tried to run the tutorial .reg and it also does not work --- the default is back after a reboot .....

Not too phased by it, but still do not like the idea ... What else is MS planning to remove form the WIN 10 Pro version?

What "benefits" are there going to be in running WIN 10 Pro??

All depends on what you do with your PC. I run Pro so I can remote desktop into that PC. There are likely a few other features I use that I just take for granted, that Home doesn't have. There are still a list of other features it has that Home doesn't. I use the Store and some Apps. I have no interest in disabling them.

OilerNut said:

I really hate how Microsoft removes stuff or refuses to give us a GPO for some key functions in Windows 10.

Are they really that worried that someone will disable the store and not purchase thousands of apps? The people disabling it likely won't be the ones buying their apps, and the majority of home users have no clue what a GPO even is.

The one that really pissed me off is how 1511 had started installing Candy Crush in the Enterprise edition. So I figure it's only a matter of time until you won't be able to disable the Store in the Enterprise version either.

LTSB is looking better and better by the day.

Except consumers can't run that version. It's only available to business customers, or those with an MSDN subscription.

vfoster said:

Does this include disabling Windows Update service? On some of my W10 installs, I have this service disabled and it prevents me from updating Windows Apps from the store.

I doubt it has anything to do with that. Its just disabling the Store App, just that 1 App from being used as far as I know. It stops you from accessing the Windows Store. Other Apps will still function.

alphanumeric said:

All depends on what you do with your PC. I run Pro so I can remote desktop into that PC. There are likely a few other features I use that I just take for granted, that Home doesn't have. There are still a list of other features it has that Home doesn't. I use the Store and some Apps. I have no interest in disabling them.

Yes! I chose pro for the same reason. I also use the remote desktop facility, and I also use other "features" that I take for granted. I do not always have a reliable Internet connection, hence why I use any feature that allows me to control the update process. So when MS starts taking away "features" in Pro, my hackles rise .... When are they going to take away a feature I use all the time?