How to Uninstall Windows Store Apps

By the Revo Cleaner editorial team · Last updated August 30, 2026 · Written for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 10 and 11 come preloaded with a number of Microsoft Store apps (also called UWP or modern apps), and many users install more from the Store over time. These apps behave differently from traditional desktop software, and some resist the usual removal methods. This guide covers every way to uninstall Store apps, including the ones that appear 'grayed out' or refuse to be removed through Settings.

If you're cleaning up both Store apps and traditional desktop programs, it's worth reading our broader guide on how to remove apps from Windows as well.

What Are Windows Store Apps?

Store apps (technically UWP — Universal Windows Platform — apps) are different from traditional Win32 desktop programs. They install through the Microsoft Store, run in a sandboxed environment, and update automatically in the background. Examples include apps like Photos, Movies & TV, Xbox, Weather, and many pre-installed apps from Windows itself, as well as anything you download from the Store, such as social media or gaming apps.

Because they use a different installation system than classic software, they don't always show up the same way in Control Panel, and some are protected by Windows and can't be removed through normal means.

Method 1: Uninstall via Settings

The simplest way to remove most Store apps:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps > Apps & features (Windows 10)
3. Find the app in the list — Store apps are typically labeled without a publisher path like desktop apps
4. Click the three-dot menu (or the app itself) and select Uninstall
5. Confirm the prompt

This works for the majority of optional Store apps, including games, streaming apps, and most utilities you've downloaded yourself.

Method 2: Uninstall from the Start Menu

For a quicker one-off removal, right-click the app's tile or icon in the Start menu and choose Uninstall. This triggers the same removal process as Settings but skips having to search through the full apps list, which is convenient when you only need to remove one or two apps.

Method 3: Uninstall via PowerShell

Some Store apps — particularly built-in system apps like Cortana components, 3D Viewer, or Mixed Reality Portal — don't show an Uninstall option in Settings, or the option is grayed out. PowerShell can remove these directly:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click Start button > Terminal (Admin))
2. List installed packages for your account: Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
3. Find the package name of the app you want to remove
4. Run: Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage, replacing appname with a matching part of the package name

To remove an app for all user accounts on the machine rather than just your own profile, use Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage. Be cautious with this command since some apps are tied to system functionality — removing core components like the Store itself or Windows Security is not recommended.

Method 4: Reinstalling a Removed Built-In App

If you accidentally remove a system app you need later, most Store apps can be reinstalled from the Microsoft Store by searching for them by name. Apps removed via PowerShell's Remove-AppxPackage are typically still listed in the Store and can be reinstalled with one click, since the command only removes the local installation, not your Store account's entitlement to it.

Why Some Store Apps Won't Uninstall

A handful of apps are deliberately protected by Windows because other system components depend on them — examples include the Microsoft Store app itself, certain security components, and some apps tied to Windows' shell experience. These typically can't be removed through any standard method without third-party tools or advanced system tweaks, and removing them isn't usually advisable since it can cause instability.

Other apps simply have bugs in their uninstall routine, leaving a stuck or partial removal. If Settings shows an error when uninstalling, try restarting your PC and attempting again, or use the PowerShell method above as an alternative path. For persistent problems with any type of software removal, our guide on what to do when Windows cannot uninstall a program has broader troubleshooting steps.

Removing Bloatware Apps

Many new Windows PCs, especially from OEMs, come with extra pre-installed Store apps like games, trial subscriptions, or manufacturer utilities that most users never open. These are usually safe to remove through Settings using the steps above. For a full rundown on identifying and safely clearing out this kind of pre-installed clutter, see what is bloatware and how to remove unwanted apps.

What Happens to Leftover Data

Unlike traditional desktop software, Store apps are sandboxed, so they generally don't leave scattered files across your Program Files and registry the way older Win32 programs can. However, they do store data under %LocalAppData%\Packages\[PackageName]. Uninstalling an app through Settings or PowerShell normally deletes this folder along with it, but if you notice a stray folder remaining after removal, it's usually safe to delete manually once you've confirmed the app is fully uninstalled.

Using a Third-Party Tool for a Combined Cleanup

If you're clearing out both traditional desktop programs and Store apps in the same session, a dedicated uninstaller can save time by listing both types together. Revo Uninstaller displays installed Store apps alongside classic desktop software in one list, so you don't need to switch between Settings and Control Panel to manage everything. This is particularly useful right after setting up a new PC, when you want to strip out bundled software and unwanted Store apps in one pass. See our overview of what Revo Uninstaller is for more on how it compares to the built-in tools.

Quick Reference: Which Method to Use

• Regular optional Store apps: Settings > Apps or right-click in Start menu
• Grayed-out or stubborn system apps: PowerShell's Remove-AppxPackage
• Removing for all users on a shared PC: PowerShell with the -AllUsers flag
• Bulk cleanup alongside desktop programs: a third-party uninstaller tool

Part of our Windows software removal series. Start with the Windows uninstaller guide or read the overview of Revo Uninstaller.

Revo Cleaner is an independent information resource. Revo Uninstaller is developed by VS Revo Group Ltd.; download the software from the developer's official website.