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10 Tech How-To

Uninstall System Apps in Windows: Full Guide

Guide 10-13296 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to remove built-in Windows apps like Cortana, Xbox Game Bar, or Photos that you never use. It covers safe methods using Settings, PowerShell, and third-party tools, plus what to do if an app won’t uninstall or comes back after an update. You’ll need administrator access to your Windows PC.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with administrator privileges
  • Backup of any important data (in case you remove something you later need)
  • Optional: a list of the exact app names you want to remove

Step-by-Step

  1. Identify the app you want to remove. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10). Scroll through the list and note the exact name of the app you want to uninstall.
  2. Try the standard uninstall first. Click the three-dot menu next to the app (Windows 11) or select the app and click Uninstall (Windows 10). Confirm the prompt. Many system apps like Photos, Calculator, and Mail can be removed this way.
  3. If the Uninstall button is grayed out, use PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
  4. Get the app’s package name. In the PowerShell window, type Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName and press Enter. This lists all installed apps. Find the one you want, and copy its PackageFullName (it looks like Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.2103.8.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe).
  5. Remove the app for your user account. Type Remove-AppxPackage <PackageFullName> (replace <PackageFullName> with the actual name you copied) and press Enter. The app will disappear from your Start menu and apps list.
  6. To remove the app for all users (requires more caution): Use Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers <PackageName> | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers. This prevents the app from reappearing when another user logs in. Only do this if you are sure no one needs the app.
  7. If the app is still present after removal, it may be re-provisioned. Run Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName to see if the app is still listed. If so, remove it with the -AllUsers flag as in step 6.
  8. For stubborn apps like Cortana or Edge, use a third-party tool. Tools like O&O AppBuster or Win10 App Remover provide a GUI and can remove apps that PowerShell refuses. Download from the official website, run as administrator, select the app, and click remove.
  9. Restart your PC. After removal, restart to ensure all components are gone and the system is stable.

Common Mistakes

  • Removing the wrong app. Some system apps are dependencies for others. For example, removing Microsoft Store can break other apps that rely on it for updates.
  • Using the wrong syntax in PowerShell. A missing space or incorrect package name will cause an error. Always copy the full package name exactly.
  • Not running PowerShell as administrator. Without admin rights, the removal command will fail with an access denied error.
  • Removing apps for all users when you only wanted to remove for yourself. This can affect other accounts on the same PC.
  • Deleting the app’s installation files manually. This can corrupt the system and is not recommended.

Tips

  • Before removing, note the app’s package name. If you change your mind, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store or via PowerShell with Add-AppxPackage -Register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\..." (advanced).
  • Use the Get-AppxPackage command to export a list of all apps to a text file: Get-AppxPackage | Out-File apps.txt. This helps you track what you removed.
  • If you only want to hide an app from the Start menu, consider unpinning it instead of uninstalling. This is safer and reversible.
  • Keep the Microsoft Store and Settings app. Many system functions rely on them.
  • After a major Windows update, some removed apps may come back. You can re-run the removal steps or use a tool that blocks reinstallation.

Troubleshooting

Error “Remove-AppxPackage : The specified package was not found” – This means the package name is incorrect or the app is already removed. Double-check the package name with Get-AppxPackage and try again.

Error “Access is denied” – You are not running PowerShell as administrator. Right-click Start, choose Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin), and confirm the UAC prompt.

App reappears after restart or update – The app is provisioned for all users. Use the -AllUsers flag or a third-party tool that removes the provisioned package.

PowerShell command hangs – Wait a few minutes; some packages take time to remove. If it hangs indefinitely, close PowerShell and try a different method, like a third-party tool.

System becomes unstable after removal – If you removed a core component (like the Store or Settings), you can reinstall it by opening PowerShell as admin and running Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage followed by Add-AppxPackage -Register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode. This re-registers the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I uninstall Cortana? Yes, Cortana is a system app that can be removed via PowerShell. Use Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers.

Q: Will uninstalling system apps speed up my PC? Usually not significantly. These apps are mostly idle and consume little memory. Removing them may free a small amount of storage but won’t boost performance.

Q: Can I reinstall a system app I removed? Yes, most can be reinstalled from the Microsoft Store. If not, use PowerShell to re-register the app (see Troubleshooting).

Q: Is it safe to remove the Microsoft Store? It’s risky. Many apps depend on it for updates and purchases. Only remove it if you never use it and understand the consequences.

Q: Why do some apps have a grayed-out Uninstall button? These are protected system components. You need to use PowerShell or a third-party tool to remove them.

Q: Will Windows Update reinstall removed apps? Sometimes, after a feature update, some apps may reappear. You can re-remove them, or use a tool that blocks reinstallation.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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