Windows 11 25H2 introduced a built-in Group Policy setting that lets Pro, Education, and Enterprise users remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps from new user profiles without PowerShell scripts or third-party tools. The policy covers 24 apps including Teams, Clipchamp, Xbox apps, and Outlook. Home users are excluded, but workarounds exist.
Applies to: Windows 11 Pro / Education / Enterprise (25H2) | Last updated: April 16, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft added an official bloatware removal method through Group Policy in Windows 11 25H2, now available in the stable release
- The feature only works on Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise editions – Home users are excluded (but can use PolicyPlus or install Group Policy Editor on Home)
- The policy only affects new user profiles, not existing accounts – existing users keep their installed apps
- Advanced users can extend the removal list beyond the 24 official apps using registry edits or PowerShell
Quick Steps
- Open Group Policy Editor (Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc) - Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment
- Open “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system”
- Enable the policy and check the apps you want removed
- Click Apply – selected apps will be removed from new user profiles
In This Guide
- Requirements
- Why Remove Default Windows 11 Apps?
- How to Access the Bloatware Removal Policy
- Which Apps Can Be Removed
- Technical Implementation Details
- Current Limitations and Issues
- Enterprise and Intune Integration
- Alternative Solutions for Home Users
- FAQ
Requirements
To use Microsoft’s official bloatware removal feature, you need:
- Windows 11 25H2 (stable release or newer)
- Pro, Education, or Enterprise edition (or PolicyPlus on Home)
- Administrative privileges to access Group Policy Editor
Why Remove Default Windows 11 Apps?
Many Windows 11 installations come with pre-installed Microsoft Store apps that users don’t need or want. These apps take up storage space, consume system resources, and clutter the Start menu. Previously, removing these apps required complex PowerShell commands that could break Windows during setup or cause issues with enterprise deployment tools like Autopilot.
System administrators requested a native solution for years because scripted removal methods are fragile and can cause deployment failures. This Group Policy approach provides a supported, reliable method for enterprise environments.
How to Access the Windows 11 Bloatware Removal Policy
The Group Policy setting is located in a specific path within the Group Policy Editor.
Navigating to the Policy Setting
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
- Type the following command and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor:
gpedit.msc- Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment
- Look for the policy named “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system”
Understanding the Policy Configuration
When you open this policy, you’ll see a curated list of Microsoft Store apps that can be removed. The policy description explains that selected apps will be uninstalled from the system when new user profiles are created.
Important: This policy only affects new user profiles, not existing ones. If you already have user accounts on the system, those apps will remain installed for existing users.
Which Apps Can Be Removed
Microsoft’s official bloatware removal policy covers a specific set of built-in Microsoft Store applications:
Removable Microsoft Store Apps
- Clipchamp – Video editing application
- Feedback Hub – System feedback and diagnostics tool
- Microsoft 365 Copilot – AI assistant application
- Microsoft News – News and content aggregation app
- Microsoft Photos – Photo viewing and editing application
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection – Card game collection
- Microsoft Sticky Notes – Digital note-taking app
- Microsoft Teams – Communication and collaboration platform
- Microsoft To Do – Task management application
- MSN Weather – Weather information app
- Outlook for Windows – Email and calendar application
- Paint – Basic image editing application
- Quick Assist – Remote assistance tool
- Snipping Tool – Screenshot and screen capture utility
- Windows Calculator – Calculator application
- Windows Camera – Camera and photo capture app
- Windows Media Player – Media playback application
- Voice Recorder – Audio recording application
- Windows Sound Recorder – Audio recording utility
- Windows Terminal – Command-line interface
- Xbox Gaming App – Xbox gaming platform and social features
- Xbox Gaming Overlay – In-game overlay and capture tools (see also: how to remove Xbox Game Bar)
- Xbox Identity Provider – Xbox authentication services
- Xbox Speech To Text Overlay – Voice-to-text gaming feature
What’s Not Included
This policy has important limitations regarding which applications can be removed:
- Third-party bloatware like Spotify trials or manufacturer software
- Pre-installed games like Candy Crush (these aren’t Microsoft’s own apps)
- System-critical applications that Windows requires for basic functionality
- Web browsers and other essential Windows components
Technical Implementation Details
Understanding how this feature works technically can help you troubleshoot issues and potentially expand its functionality.
Registry Key Creation
When you enable the policy and select apps for removal, Windows creates a registry key at the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx\RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackagesEach selected app gets its own subkey using the package family name. This registry-based approach opens up possibilities for advanced users.
PowerShell Workaround for Additional Apps
Since the feature works through registry keys, you can use PowerShell to add other apps to the removal list, even if they’re not shown in the Group Policy interface. This means you could remove apps like:
- Copilot
- Other Microsoft Store apps not listed in the official policy
However, this requires knowing the exact package family names and involves editing the registry manually or through scripts.
Current Limitations and Issues
While this feature represents significant progress, it’s not perfect in its current state.
User Interface Problems
Even when apps are successfully removed through the policy, you might encounter:
- Broken shortcuts in the Start menu that don’t launch
- App icons appearing in the All Apps list despite being uninstalled
- Error messages when trying to launch removed applications
These UI inconsistencies suggest the feature still needs refinement from Microsoft in future updates.
Windows Edition Restrictions
The biggest limitation is the Windows edition requirement. Since Group Policy Editor is only available in Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions, Windows 11 Home users cannot access this feature natively.
However, there are workarounds:
- Policy Plus – A third-party tool that can apply this policy on Home editions
- Install Group Policy Editor on Home – Enable gpedit.msc on Windows 11 Home directly
- Registry editing – Direct manipulation of the registry keys (advanced users only)
- PowerShell scripts – Custom implementation of the same functionality
Enterprise and Intune Integration
This feature is primarily designed for enterprise environments where IT administrators need to deploy clean Windows installations at scale.
Intune Support
Microsoft created a Policy CSP path for this feature:
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ApplicationManagement/RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackagesThis means Intune (Microsoft’s cloud-based device management service) supports this policy natively, allowing organizations to:
- Deploy bloatware removal policies through cloud management
- Apply consistent app removal across all managed devices
- Integrate with existing Autopilot deployment workflows
Benefits for System Administrators
This official method addresses several pain points that IT professionals have faced:
- Reliability – No more fragile PowerShell scripts that break during updates
- Support – Official Microsoft feature with proper documentation
- Consistency – Standardized approach across all enterprise deployments
- Logging – Proper event logging for troubleshooting and compliance
Alternative Solutions for Home Users
If you’re running Windows 11 Home and want to remove bloatware, you still have several options:
My Custom Solutions
I’ve developed tools specifically for this purpose:
- Winhance – A utility that debloats and optimizes Windows 11
- UnattendedWinstall – Custom installation files that create cleaner Windows deployments
These tools work on all Windows editions and provide comprehensive bloatware removal beyond what Microsoft’s official policy offers.
Other Third-Party Tools
The Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility is another popular option for debloating Windows 11. It provides a GUI for removing apps, disabling telemetry, and applying performance tweaks across all Windows editions.
Manual Removal Methods
You can still remove individual apps manually:
- Right-click on unwanted apps in the Start menu
- Select “Uninstall”
- Confirm the removal in the popup dialog
However, some system apps may require PowerShell commands for complete removal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use this bloatware removal feature on Windows 11 Home?
No, this feature requires access to Group Policy Editor, which is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise editions. Home users can try PolicyPlus, install Group Policy Editor on Home, or use third-party tools like Winhance.
Will removed apps affect Windows functionality?
The apps included in Microsoft’s official removal list are considered safe to remove without breaking core Windows functionality. However, some users may rely on apps like Terminal or Notepad, so consider your specific needs before removing them.
Can I add more apps to the removal list beyond what Microsoft provides?
Yes, since the feature works through registry keys, advanced users can add other Microsoft Store apps by editing the registry or using PowerShell scripts. This requires knowing exact package family names and involves unsupported modifications.
Does this policy remove apps for existing users or only new users?
The policy only affects new user profiles created after the policy is enabled. Existing user accounts retain all their currently installed apps. This is an important limitation to consider when planning deployments.
