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Want an Effortless Way to Clean Up Company PCs? Does the New 25H2 Update Make Removing Apps Incredibly Simple?
Microsoft has introduced a new policy for Windows 11 Enterprise and Windows 11 Education editions, starting with version 25H2. This change gives IT administrators a simple, direct method to remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps from company and school computers. This new approach eliminates the need for complicated scripts or custom system images, which were previously necessary to achieve a cleaner, more controlled Windows environment.
How the New App Removal Policy Works
The policy allows administrators to select specific pre-installed apps they want to remove from a pre-defined list provided by Microsoft. This function can be managed using standard tools that IT teams already use.
- Group Policy Object (GPO): For organizations managing their devices through traditional on-premise Active Directory.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): For modern management through cloud-based services like Microsoft Intune.
By default, this policy is turned off. An administrator must actively enable it. Once enabled, the system automatically removes the selected apps and their local data from user devices. This process ensures a consistent experience and reduces clutter.
When the Policy Takes Effect
The removal of the specified apps happens at key moments to ensure it is applied effectively across all managed devices.
- During the initial setup of a new computer, known as the out-of-box experience (OOBE).
- When a user signs in for the first time after a major operating system upgrade.
- When a user signs in after the policy has been updated by the IT department.
This policy works with standard deployment methods, including Windows Autopilot, making it a flexible tool for managing a fleet of devices. It helps create a standardized and more secure computing environment by removing unnecessary applications.