Quick Answer
There are a few different ways to remove or disable the Microsoft Store app in Windows 10 and 11:
- Use PowerShell to uninstall the Microsoft Store packages
- Remove the Microsoft Store via Settings app
- Disable the Microsoft Store service using Group Policy Editor
- Block the Microsoft Store using firewall rules
The easiest option for most home users is to uninstall the Microsoft Store packages via PowerShell. This will completely remove the app and prevent it from reinstalling automatically.
Using PowerShell to Uninstall the Microsoft Store
The easiest way to completely remove the Microsoft Store app in Windows 10 and 11 is to use PowerShell to uninstall the Microsoft Store packages. Here are the steps:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator
- Run the following commands:
Get-AppxPackage *store* | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
- Restart your PC
This will find and remove all Microsoft Store-related packages, including the main Microsoft Store app package. After restarting your PC, the Microsoft Store app will be gone.
The advantages of using this method are:
- Completely removes the Microsoft Store app – it will not reappear
- Does not require any special tools, just the built-in PowerShell
- Works on Windows 10 and Windows 11
The only potential downside is you’ll also lose other apps that depend on the Microsoft Store, like the Xbox app. But for most users who just want the Store gone, this is the simplest method.
Removing the Microsoft Store via Settings
You can also remove the Microsoft Store app via the Apps section of Settings:
- Open Settings and go to Apps > Apps & features
- Locate the entry for “Microsoft Store”
- Click the three dots next to it and choose Uninstall
- Confirm you want to uninstall the Store app
This will immediately remove the Microsoft Store app from your PC. However, one downside is that it may automatically reinstall after Windows updates. To prevent this, you’d need to also use a tool like Group Policy Editor to block the Store app from returning.
Disabling the Microsoft Store with Group Policy Editor
To fully prevent the Microsoft Store from reinstalling automatically, you can use Group Policy Editor to disable the Microsoft Store:
- Open the Start menu and search for “gpedit.msc” and launch the Group Policy Editor
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Appx
- Set the “Turn off the Store Application” policy to “Enabled”
- Restart your PC for changes to take effect
This will disable the Microsoft Store app and prevent it from being reinstalled during updates. You’ll need to be on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise to access the full Group Policy Editor.
Some key points about using this method:
- Only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education
- Disables automatic reinstallation of the Store after uninstalling it
- Also blocks future app updates distributed via the Store
Blocking Microsoft Store with Firewall
Finally, another option is to block access to the Microsoft Store by creating firewall rules in Windows Defender Firewall:
- Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
- Create a new Outbound Rule to block all traffic to
127.0.0.1:11601 - Create a new Outbound Rule to block all traffic to
127.0.0.1:11600 - Restart your PC
This will prevent the Microsoft Store from accessing its backend servers, effectively disabling it. But the app itself will still be present on your system.
Key points about the firewall method:
- Blocks access to Microsoft Store servers, preventing app installs/updates
- Microsoft Store app will still be visible, just unusable
- Need to repeat rules if creating a new user account
Pros and Cons of Removing Microsoft Store
Before removing the Microsoft Store, it’s worth considering these general pros and cons:
**Pros:**
- Eliminates annoyances and clutter if you don’t use the Store
- Increased security by reducing attack surface
- May slightly improve performance by eliminating Store overhead
**Cons:**
- Lose access to Microsoft apps like Mail, Calendar, OneDrive, etc
- Can’t install apps distributed via the Microsoft Store
- Potential stability issues from unsupported system configuration
For most home users, the benefits outweigh the downsides. But business users should be more cautious about completely removing core Microsoft apps and services.
Reinstalling the Microsoft Store
If after removing the Microsoft Store you change your mind, you can reinstall it using these steps:
- Open an elevated PowerShell prompt
- Run the command:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} - Once completed, open the Microsoft Store app to verify it’s working again
This will reinstall all the default bundled apps and packages that originally came with Windows, including the Microsoft Store. After it finishes, you should see the Microsoft Store app and all its included apps restored.
You can also try sfc /scannow in PowerShell to check for system file corruption, which may help restore missing Store files.
Alternative App Stores for Windows
If you want an alternative way to install apps outside the Microsoft Store, here are some options:
Amazon Appstore
Amazon Appstore delivers Android apps and games to Windows 11 devices. It provides an alternative catalog of apps to install.
Itch.io
Itch.io is a storefront for independent games and apps. It offers a unique selection of software outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
Steam
Steam is the largest gaming marketplace on Windows. It provides access to thousands of AAA and indie games.
GOG
GOG (Good Old Games) offers a curated catalog of classic and newer DRM-free games to download.
Windows Package Manager (WinGet)
WinGet is a new package manager for Windows that can download apps from various repositories. It’s currently in preview.
With the right additional stores, you can still populate your Windows PC with apps even without the Microsoft Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to remove the Microsoft Store?
In most cases, yes it is safe to remove the Microsoft Store on a home PC being used for general personal computing. However, it could potentially cause issues for business/enterprise environments that rely on Microsoft Store apps.
Can I uninstall built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Photos?
Yes, if you uninstall the Microsoft Store packages using PowerShell, it will also remove other bundled Microsoft apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, etc.
What happens to my Microsoft Store app purchases if I remove it?
Any apps you purchased through the Microsoft Store will no longer function once you uninstall it. You would have to reinstall the Store to regain access to those apps.
Is there an easier official way to disable the Store?
Not currently. Microsoft does not provide an official setting to easily disable the Store app on Windows 10 or 11. The methods discussed here are unofficial workarounds.
What about Windows updates if I remove the Store?
Removing the Microsoft Store does not impact Windows updates or security patches. Windows Update still functions normally without the Store.
Summary
To recap, the main methods to remove Microsoft Store on Windows include:
- Uninstalling Store packages via PowerShell (recommended)
- Removing the Store app via Settings
- Disabling the Store service with Group Policy
- Blocking the Store with firewall rules
PowerShell gives you the ability to cleanly and completely remove the Store. Combining uninstall, disabling auto-updates, and firewall blocks provides backup layers of protection.
While the Microsoft Store is integral to Windows 11, if you are on Windows 10 you can safely remove it as long as you understand the tradeoffs. Just be aware you’ll lose first-party Microsoft apps and the ability to install UWP apps going forward.
Conclusion
Removing the Microsoft Store provides a way to streamline your Windows experience if you don’t utilize the Store for apps. While the Store cannot be easily disabled via official methods, using PowerShell and group policy gives you the ability to fully eliminate the Store app and block its reinstallation. Just keep in mind you’ll lose access to Microsoft apps and UWP apps distributed through the Store. For general home use though, uninstalling the Store usually improves performance with minimal downsides.
