Uninstall Any Built-in Apps with PowerShell in Windows 11

Windows 11 is an operating system that comes with a host of built-in applications designed to provide users with various functionalities. While many of these apps are useful, some users might find certain pre-installed applications unnecessary or redundant, making them consider their removal to free up storage, reduce clutter, or customize the system to better meet their needs. Today, we’re going to delve into how to uninstall built-in apps using PowerShell in Windows 11, a powerful command-line tool that allows for advanced management of the operating system.

Understanding PowerShell

PowerShell is a task automation framework that consists of a command-line shell and associated scripting language designed specifically for system administrators. Its wealth of functions surpasses the capabilities of traditional command prompt tools, allowing users to perform complex tasks in more streamlined ways.

PowerShell runs on the .NET framework, providing a robust environment for executing commands, managing system configurations, and automating repetitive tasks. It is especially useful for managing Windows environments, including installation, configuration, and management of built-in applications.

Why Uninstall Built-in Apps?

Removing built-in apps can yield several benefits:

Improved Performance: Some built-in apps may run in the background and consume system resources, which can affect the overall performance of your computer.
Enhanced Privacy: Certain applications collect data from users. By uninstalling these apps, you might minimize the amount of data shared with Microsoft or other third-party sources.
Increased Storage Space: If your device is low on storage, uninstalling unnecessary apps can help free up space for the files and applications you actually use.
Personalization: Removing unwanted applications can result in a user interface that aligns more closely with your requirements and preferences.

Built-In Apps in Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with a variety of pre-installed applications which can include:

Calculator
Mail and Calendar
Microsoft Teams
Xbox Game Bar
News
Weather
Groove Music
Movies & TV
OneNote
And others

You may find that some of these applications are not useful, especially if you prefer alternatives available on the internet or specialty software designed for specific tasks.

How to Open PowerShell

Before we can uninstall any built-in applications using PowerShell, we first need to open it:

Using Search:
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Start typing "PowerShell" in the search bar.
- Right-click on "Windows PowerShell" from the search results and select "Run as administrator."
Using the Run Dialog:
- Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
- Type powershell and press Enter. You can also type powershell and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run it as an administrator.
Using Windows Terminal:
- If you have Windows Terminal installed, you can also open PowerShell through it. Simply open Windows Terminal and select PowerShell from the drop-down menu.

Ensure you run PowerShell as an administrator to have the necessary permissions to uninstall applications.

Uninstalling Built-in Apps with PowerShell

Once PowerShell is open with administrative privileges, you can start uninstalling built-in apps. Before proceeding, it’s essential to know the specific names of the applications you want to remove.

Using the Get-AppxPackage Command

PowerShell provides a command called Get-AppxPackage, which lists all installed apps with details, including their names, package names, and more. You can use this information to identify the apps you wish to uninstall.

To view all installed apps, type the following command and hit Enter:

Get-AppxPackage

This will display a list of all the apps and their package details. If you’re looking for a specific app, you can filter this list. For example, if you want to find everything related to "Weather," use:

Get-AppxPackage *weather*

Uninstalling a Specific App

Once you’ve identified the application you want to uninstall, look for the PackageFullName in the output of the Get-AppxPackage command. You will need this full name to execute the uninstall command.

To uninstall an app, you can use the Remove-AppxPackage command followed by the package name. For example, to uninstall the Weather app, you would enter:

Remove-AppxPackage Microsoft.BingWeather_8wekyb3d8Bb3w

Replace Microsoft.BingWeather_8wekyb3d8Bb3w with the actual package name you found in the previous step. If the command executes successfully, you won’t receive any output, but you can confirm that the app has been uninstalled by rerunning the Get-AppxPackage command.

Uninstall Multiple Apps at Once

If you have several applications you wish to uninstall, you can do this in a single command by chaining the Remove-AppxPackage commands. For example:

Remove-AppxPackage Microsoft.BingWeather_8wekyb3d8Bb3w, Microsoft.MicrosoftTeams_8wekyb3d8Bb3w, Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_8wekyb3d8Bb3w

This command will uninstall multiple applications in one go. Ensure that you separate each application’s package name with a comma.

Uninstalling All Built-in Apps

Sometimes, users want to reset their system to a bare state by removing all built-in apps. Be aware that this action is drastic and should be approached cautiously as it can lead to unintended consequences. To remove all built-in apps, run:

Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackage

Please note that this command will only remove apps for the current user. If you have multiple users on the system and want to remove apps for all users, additional considerations will be needed.

Reinstalling Built-in Apps

If you decide later that you want to restore any of the built-in apps you uninstalled, you can reinstall them using PowerShell. Unfortunately, most built-in apps cannot simply be re-downloaded like third-party applications. Instead, you can reinstall everything by executing:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

This command will reinstall built-in applications for all users on the machine.

Potential Risks Involved

While using PowerShell to uninstall applications can be powerful, it’s essential to be fully aware of what you’re doing. Some built-in applications are integrated with the functioning of Windows 11 itself. Here’s what you should consider:

Dependency Issues: Some apps might be required by other applications or the operating system itself. Removing them can lead to stability issues.
Administrative Rights: Running commands requires administrative permissions. This necessity means that incorrect usage could significantly affect your system, leading to the need for a reinstallation.
Privacy and Security: Uninstalling apps could also affect security settings. Ensure that any apps removed are not crucial for your data protection.
Functional Features: Certain built-in apps provide functional features of the operating system. Removing them could limit the usability of those features.

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling built-in apps in Windows 11 can help tailor your computing experience to better suit your needs. PowerShell offers a powerful way to manage these applications but must be used with caution to avoid unintended system issues.

If you’re not comfortable with using PowerShell or if you’re unsure about specific applications or commands, there are often alternative ways to uninstall apps, such as through the Settings menu or the Microsoft Store for reinstalling. Always exercise due diligence by backing up your important data and documenting changes before heavily modifying system configurations.

By understanding and approaching these processes with caution and awareness, you can effectively customize your Windows 11 experience without compromising system reliability or functionality. Happy customizing!

Uninstall any Built-in Apps with powershell in Windows 11