To uninstall the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11, open PowerShell as administrator and run this command: Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage. Press Enter and the Store will be removed from your system.
Quick Steps:
- Right-click the Start button and select “PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin)”
- If you don’t see it in the menu, search for PowerShell and run it as administrator
- Paste this command into PowerShell using Ctrl + V:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage - Press Enter to run it
- Wait for it to finish, then close PowerShell
Why Would You Want to Uninstall the Microsoft Store?
The Microsoft Store comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, and Microsoft doesn’t give you an easy way to remove it through Settings — the uninstall button just isn’t there. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it.
During my years working in computer repair and support, I set up a lot of computers for businesses and individuals. Some businesses didn’t want their staff downloading apps through the Store at all. Others just wanted a cleaner system without extra Microsoft apps running in the background. Whatever the reason, the fix is a single PowerShell command.
One thing to keep in mind — once it’s removed, you won’t be able to install apps through the Store anymore. If you ever need it back, I’ve written a guide on how to reinstall the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11, so getting it back is just as straightforward.
How to Uninstall Microsoft Store Step by Step
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
Right-click the Start button and look for “PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin)” in the menu. Click on it to open it with administrator privileges. If you don’t see either option listed there, just search for PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click the result, and choose “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: Run the Uninstall Command
Once PowerShell is open, paste in the following command:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackageUse Ctrl + V to paste it in. Then press Enter to run it. The command should complete within a few seconds and you won’t see much output — that’s normal.
Step 3: Close PowerShell
Once the command finishes, you can close PowerShell. The Microsoft Store is now uninstalled. If you try to open it, it simply won’t be there anymore — it’ll also disappear from your Start menu and taskbar.
Want an Easier Way to Remove Windows Apps?
If you want to remove more built-in Windows apps without typing PowerShell commands, I built a free tool called Winhance that lets you uninstall bloatware, disable background apps, and tweak all kinds of Windows settings through a clean interface. It’s a much easier approach if you’re looking to do a broader cleanup of Windows 10 or 11.
For example, I also have a guide on how to uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, which covers a similar process for another built-in app that Microsoft normally doesn’t let you remove the easy way.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: The command returns an error
Solution: Make sure you opened PowerShell as an administrator. Running it without admin rights won’t let you remove system apps. Right-click PowerShell and choose “Run as administrator.”
Problem: The Microsoft Store comes back after a Windows Update
Solution: Major Windows updates can sometimes reinstall removed system apps. If the Store reappears after an update, just run the same PowerShell command again to remove it.
Problem: Some apps stopped working after removing the Store
Solution: A small number of apps that rely on the Store’s framework may stop working. If this is a problem, reinstall the Store by following my Microsoft Store reinstall guide.
FAQ
Is it safe to uninstall the Microsoft Store?
Yes, it’s completely safe. Removing the Microsoft Store won’t break Windows or cause any instability. You’ll just lose the ability to install new apps through the Store until you reinstall it.
Will removing the Store delete apps I already installed from it?
No. Apps you’ve already installed through the Store will stay on your computer. The command only removes the Store app itself, not anything you downloaded through it.
Does this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, the same PowerShell command works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The process is identical on both versions.
Can I reinstall the Microsoft Store if I change my mind?
Yes, the Microsoft Store can be reinstalled. I cover the full process in my guide on reinstalling and fixing the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11.
Why can’t I just uninstall it from Settings?
Microsoft doesn’t include an uninstall option for the Store in the Settings app — it’s treated as a protected system app. PowerShell with admin privileges is the only built-in way to remove it, or you can use a tool like Winhance which handles it through a simple interface.
