How to Remove Preinstalled Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 (24H2 & 25H2) for New User Profiles

Windows 11 often comes with a collection of default Microsoft Store apps such as Clipchamp, Xbox, Weather, and Feedback Hub. While some users may find them useful, IT administrators and power users frequently consider them bloatware.

Starting with Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, Microsoft introduced a built-in policy called “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system”. This setting allows administrators to automatically block selected Store apps from being installed when new user profiles are created — keeping systems clean right from first login.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the feature, including how it works, its limitations, and step-by-step methods using Group Policy, Registry tweaks, Intune/MDM deployment, and scripts.

What the Policy Does and Doesn’t Do

• Scope: Only affects new user accounts. Existing profiles remain unchanged.
• Coverage: Targets Microsoft inbox Store apps only. It does not uninstall third-party OEM utilities or promotional software preloaded by PC vendors.
• Supported Editions:
  • Group Policy method → Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education.
  • Registry method → Pro and Home (results may vary).
• Timing: Removal takes place at first sign-in for new accounts. Some apps may leave Start menu shortcuts until the user signs out and back in.
• Diagnostics: Events are logged under Microsoft-Windows-AppXDeploymentServer → Operational log. Look for Event ID 327 (summary) or 698 (failure).

Method 1 — Remove Apps via Group Policy (Recommended)

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment.
3. Double-click “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system.”
4. Set it to Enabled.
5. In Options, select which built-in apps you want removed.
6. Click Apply → OK.
7. Create a new test user (local or Azure AD). At first login, verify that the chosen apps are gone. If ghost icons remain, log out and sign back in.

Method 2 — Remove Apps via Registry (Works on Home Edition)

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect registry edits can break your system. Always back up your registry or system before making changes.

1. Open the Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Go to:
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx
   (Create the Appx key if it doesn’t exist).
3. Inside Appx, create a new key:
   RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages
4. In that key, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named Enabled, set value to 1.
5. For each app you want removed:
   • Create a subkey named exactly as the package family name.
   • Inside it, create a DWORD called RemovePackage, set value to 1.
6. Create a new test user profile and log in.
   • If leftover Start menu icons remain, sign out and back in.

Common Package Family Names

Here are some frequently removed default apps:

• Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.Copilot_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Clipchamp.Clipchamp_yxz26nhyzhsrt
• Microsoft.BingNews_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe
• Microsoft.GamingApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe (Xbox)

Method 3 — Deploy via Intune/MDM (For Organizations)

Enterprises can roll out this setting at scale using Policy CSP under the ApplicationManagement node.

1. In Intune, create a new Device Configuration Profile (Windows 10 and later → Custom).
2. Add an OMA-URI:
   ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ApplicationManagement/RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages
3. Supply a payload that enables the policy and lists app IDs.
4. Assign the profile to devices. The apps will be blocked from installation at first sign-in.

Cleaning Up Ghost Start Menu Shortcuts

Even after removal, some non-functional shortcuts (“stubs”) may appear until the Start menu refreshes.

Option 1 — Group Policy

• Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.
• Enable “Turn off cloud optimized content.”

Option 2 — Manual Cleanup

Delete the Start menu state folder for the current user:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState

Then restart or log out/in to refresh.

Example Batch Script (Registry Deployment)

Run this script with administrative privileges. Modify the app list as needed:

@echo off
:: Enable policy
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx\RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages" /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

:: Remove selected apps
for %%A in (
"Clipchamp.Clipchamp_yxz26nhyzhsrt"
"Microsoft.BingNews_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.BingWeather_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.Copilot_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.GamingApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.Paint_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
"MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe"
) do (
  reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx\RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages\%%~A" /v RemovePackage /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
)

echo Policy applied. Apps will be removed for new user profiles at first sign-in.
pause

Limitations and Best Practices

• This feature only removes Microsoft Store inbox apps — not OEM software from HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc. For OEM cleanup, request a vanilla image or use custom scripts.
• Existing user accounts won’t be affected. To apply the change, either remove apps manually or migrate users to fresh profiles.
• If removal fails, double-check package family names and review error logs in Event Viewer → AppXDeploymentServer (Operational).

Conclusion

With the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy, Windows 11 administrators finally have a reliable way to control app clutter on new profiles. Whether you use Group Policy, Registry edits, or Intune deployment, the result is a cleaner, faster, and more consistent environment for new users.

By enabling this setting before rollout, you can eliminate unnecessary apps, cut down on first-login noise, and reduce post-deployment cleanup tasks — making Windows 11 easier to manage both at home and in enterprise environments.