Uninstall Apps and Pre-Installed Windows Bloatware From the Microsoft Store

What the Windows bloatware removal Worklet does

This Automox Worklet™ removes Microsoft Store applications and pre-installed Windows bloatware from your endpoints using PowerShell. The Worklet targets all Microsoft apps that are removable and not part of the Windows Framework, while automatically excluding Office-related apps, extensions, and the Microsoft Store itself.

The Worklet processes all users on an endpoint simultaneously, verifying consistent application of the removal policy. You can customize which applications to remove and which to exclude, allowing fine-grained control over your endpoint environments.

You can target specific non-Microsoft apps by name or wildcard pattern. The Worklet also removes provisioned app packages from the Windows image to prevent automatic reinstallation when new user accounts are created.

Why remove bloatware from your endpoints

Pre-installed and user-installed Microsoft Store apps consume system resources, storage space, and can create security risks. Removing unnecessary bloatware improves endpoint performance, speeds up system startup times, and reduces background process activity.

From a security perspective, applications on the Microsoft Store can pose risks if they contain malware, exploit vulnerabilities, or collect sensitive user data. Automating bloatware removal gives you consistent control over your endpoint software environment across your entire organization.

Storage space management is another critical benefit. Pre-installed apps often consume significant disk space, especially on endpoints with limited storage capacity. Removing bloatware frees resources for business applications and improves overall endpoint responsiveness.

How bloatware removal works

1. Evaluation phase: Scans the endpoint using Get-AppxPackage with filters for removable Microsoft apps, non-Microsoft apps matching your configured list, and exceptions. If the Worklet finds apps that meet removal criteria, it returns a failure code triggering remediation.

2. Remediation phase: Removes each identified app using Remove-AppxPackage for all users, then removes the provisioned package from the Windows image using Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage to prevent automatic reinstallation on new user accounts.

Bloatware removal requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 endpoints

• PowerShell 5.1 or higher

• Administrator permissions on the endpoint

• Define exception apps if you want to exclude Microsoft Store apps from removal

• Optionally specify non-Microsoft apps to remove using full names or wildcards

Expected endpoint state after bloatware removal

After the Worklet executes successfully, all configured bloatware applications are removed from every user profile on the endpoint. The removed applications no longer appear in Settings > Apps or the Microsoft Store, and they cannot be automatically reinstalled when new user accounts are created. You can verify this change through the Automox Activity Log or by checking the endpoint configuration directly.

Your endpoints gain immediate performance benefits including faster startup times, reduced background processes, and freed storage space. Applications listed in your exceptions configuration remain installed and functional. You can verify removal by checking installed apps in Windows Settings or by running Get-AppxPackage on the endpoint.

How to validate uninstall apps and pre-installed windows bloatware from the microsoft store changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot Windows endpoint and review evaluation output for uninstall apps and pre-installed windows bloatware from the microsoft store.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as Pre-Installed, Get-AppxPackage, Where-Object.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as Pre-Installed, Get-AppxPackage, Where-Object, then rerun evaluation for compliance.