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Microsoft Introduces Policy to Remove Pre-installed Microsoft Store Apps

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Microsoft has significantly expanded its pre-installed Microsoft Store app removal policy for Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions. The updated policy now allows administrators to dynamically select specific pre-installed apps for removal using their Package Family Name (PFN), removing the need for custom scripts or images. This capability is now available on Windows 11 Enterprise and Education 24H2 devices, in addition to the previously supported 25H2+, and requires at least the April 2026 Windows non-security update. Admins can enforce removal via Group Policy, MDM solutions, or Microsoft Intune (with Intune’s dynamic list feature planned for future releases). The policy remains off by default and requires explicit configuration to activate.

Timeline

  1. 27.10.2025 17:13 2 articles · 6mo ago

    Microsoft Introduces Policy to Remove Pre-installed Microsoft Store Apps

    Microsoft expands the RemoveDefaultMicrosoftStorePackages policy with dynamic selection capabilities, enabling administrators to target specific pre-installed MSIX/APPX apps for removal by Package Family Name (PFN) via Group Policy, MDM, or Microsoft Intune. The policy now supports Windows 11 Enterprise and Education 24H2 editions (previously limited to 25H2+) and requires at least the April 2026 Windows non-security update for full functionality. Admins must use PowerShell to retrieve the target app’s PFN before configuring removal in Group Policy under Windows Components > App Package Deployment. Microsoft has also indicated that the dynamic list feature will become available in Intune in the coming months, with guidance on applying the policy to single devices or Active Directory-joined fleets provided.

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