How to Remove Applications from the Microsoft Store – 2024

How to Remove Applications from the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is a convenient place to download a variety of apps for your Windows device. However, over time, you may find yourself with too many installed apps, or you may need to remove apps that you no longer use. In this guide, we’ll explore how to uninstall apps installed from the Microsoft Store using several methods, including through the Start menu, Settings, and PowerShell.

Why Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps?

Uninstalling apps from the Microsoft Store can help you:

• Free up storage space on your hard drive.
• Improve system performance by removing unused apps that may be running in the background.
• Declutter your Start menu and App list.

Method 1: Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps via the Start Menu

The simplest way to uninstall an app is directly from the Start menu. This method is quick and requires only a few clicks.

Steps to Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps from the Start Menu:

1. Open the Start Menu:
   • Press the Windows key or click on the Start icon in the taskbar.

   

2. Find the App You Want to Uninstall:
   • Scroll through the list of apps or type the app’s name into the search bar to locate the app.

   

3. Right-Click on the App:
   • Once you locate the app, right-click on its icon.
4. Select Uninstall:
   • From the context menu, click Uninstall. A prompt will appear asking for confirmation. Confirm to uninstall the app.

This method works for most Microsoft Store apps, including system apps such as Mail, Calendar, and Xbox.

Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps via Settings

You can also uninstall apps using the Settings app, which allows you to see all installed apps in one place.

Steps to Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps via Settings:

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.

   

2. Go to Apps:
   • In the Settings menu, click on Apps. This will take you to the Apps & features section where all installed apps are listed.

   

3. Find the App You Want to Uninstall:
   • Scroll down the list of installed apps or use the search bar at the top to quickly locate the app you want to remove.

   

4. Uninstall the App:
   • Click on the app name to reveal the Uninstall button. Click Uninstall and follow the on-screen prompts to remove the app from your system.

Method 3: Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps Using PowerShell

For more advanced users or those looking to uninstall built-in system apps that cannot be removed through the Start menu or Settings, PowerShell provides a powerful solution.

Steps to Uninstall Microsoft Store Apps Using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.

   

2. List Installed Microsoft Store Apps:
   • In PowerShell, type the following command to list all the installed apps on your system:
     bash

     Get-AppxPackage

3. Identify the App to Remove:
   • Locate the PackageFullName of the app you want to uninstall from the list that appears.
4. Uninstall the App:
   • Use the following command to uninstall the app, replacing PackageFullName with the actual name of the app:
     bash

     Get-AppxPackage PackageFullName | Remove-AppxPackage

5. Confirm the Uninstallation:
   • Once the command is executed, the app will be removed from your system.

Method 4: Uninstall Built-In Microsoft Store Apps

Some Microsoft Store apps, such as Cortana or Xbox Game Bar, are considered system apps and cannot be removed through the usual uninstallation methods. However, you can use PowerShell to remove them.

Steps to Uninstall Built-In Microsoft Store Apps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator (as described in Method 3).
2. Find the Built-In App to Remove:
   • Use the same Get-AppxPackage command to list installed apps.
3. Uninstall Specific Built-In Apps:
   • For example, to remove the Xbox Game Bar, you would use:
     bash

     Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage

   • To uninstall Cortana, use:
     bash

     Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage


Note: Be cautious when uninstalling built-in apps, as some may be necessary for core system functionality.

Method 5: Reinstalling Microsoft Store Apps

If you accidentally uninstall a Microsoft Store app and want it back, you can easily reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

Steps to Reinstall Microsoft Store Apps:

1. Open Microsoft Store:
   • Click on the Microsoft Store icon in the taskbar or search for it in the Start menu.
   • 
2. Search for the App:
   • Use the search bar in the Microsoft Store to find the app you want to reinstall.
3. Install the App:
   • Click Install to reinstall the app on your device.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Microsoft Store apps is a simple and effective way to free up storage space, improve system performance, and declutter your Windows device. Whether you use the Start menu, Settings, or PowerShell, you can easily manage and remove apps that you no longer need.

By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can efficiently uninstall any Microsoft Store app and even reinstall it if necessary. This flexibility allows you to keep your system optimized and running smoothly.