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Is the New App Removal Policy in Windows 11 25H2 the Simple Solution You Need? Helpful Update
Windows 11 often comes with many Microsoft apps pre-installed. Some are helpful, like the Snipping Tool for screenshots. Others, such as Xbox-related apps, may not be useful for everyone. Until now, removing these unwanted apps has been a slow process. The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update aims to change this by introducing a new, simpler way to remove default Microsoft apps.
What’s New in Windows 11 25H2?
A new policy called “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system” is now available in the latest Windows 11 Dev build (26200.5670). This policy appears in the Administrative Templates section and lets users select which default apps to remove.
Key Points:
- The policy goes beyond the usual enable/disable options.
- Users can check boxes next to apps they want to remove.
- The process is designed to be quick and user-friendly.
List of Removable Microsoft Apps
Below is the list of apps included in the new policy:
- Feedback Hub
- Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Microsoft Clipchamp
- Microsoft News
- Microsoft Photos (**)
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection
- Microsoft Sticky Notes
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft To Do
- MSN Weather
- Outlook for Windows
- Paint
- Quick Assist
- Snipping Tool
- Windows Calculator
- Windows Camera (**)
- Windows Media Player (**)
- Windows Notepad (**)
- Windows Sound Recorder
- Windows Terminal
- Xbox Gaming App
- Xbox Gaming Overlay (*)
- Xbox Identity Provider (*)
- Xbox Speech To Text Overlay (*)
- Xbox TCUI (*)
Legend:
- (*) Headless apps: No user interface, run in the background (mainly Xbox services).
- (**) Core apps: Needed for basic OS tasks (photos, text files, camera, media playback). Removing them won’t break Windows, but you’ll need alternatives.
How Does the Removal Policy Work?
- Open the Administrative Templates section.
- Find the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system” policy.
- Enable the policy.
- Check the boxes next to the apps you want to remove.
- Click apply.
This process is much faster than uninstalling apps one by one.
What Are the Limitations?
Microsoft Edge cannot be removed using this policy. It remains a core part of Windows. The new policy may not work perfectly yet. In some tests, the selected apps did not disappear after applying the policy. This suggests the feature is still being refined. Some core apps, if removed, will need replacements for daily tasks.
Why Is This Change Positive?
- Saves time by allowing multiple apps to be removed at once.
- Reduces clutter from unwanted apps.
- Gives users more control over their devices.
- Makes Windows feel more personal and less crowded.
What Could Be Improved?
- The policy could be made more reliable before public release.
- Adding a multi-select uninstall option in the main Settings menu would make the process even easier.
- Allowing Edge to be removed would offer complete freedom of choice.
The new app removal policy in Windows 11 25H2 is a positive move toward user-friendly customization. While not perfect yet, it offers hope for a cleaner, more personalized Windows experience. Users can look forward to easier management of default apps and less time spent on manual uninstalls.