Windows 11 25H2: Seamless Removal of Default Microsoft Apps for a Cleaner Experience

For years, Windows users have found themselves on a familiar carousel: a fresh install of the operating system, followed by a meticulous round of uninstalling apps that Microsoft bundles by default. Some applications, like the Snipping Tool or Notepad, have become essential utilities for countless users. Others, such as Xbox Game-related services, evoke indifference or even outright frustration—especially when they feel impossible to remove. As Microsoft unveils new developments in Windows 11 25H2 Dev builds, it appears this longstanding pain point is finally being addressed, promising to make the removal of Microsoft default apps far more straightforward. But how significant is this shift, and what does it truly mean for day-to-day users and enterprise environments? Let’s take a closer look at the details, strengths, and potential caveats of this coming change.

The Burden of Bundled Apps in Windows​

Microsoft’s practice of shipping Windows with a suite of branded and system apps—often referred to as “bloatware” by detractors—has been both a convenience and a headache. On one hand, pre-installed tools like Photos and Calculator offer immediate utility out of the box, supporting a seamless first-use experience. On the other, many users have bristled at Microsoft’s tendency to bundle less widely used, harder-to-remove apps, such as Xbox Game Overlay or Feedback Hub, regardless of their actual utility. Historically, purging these pre-installed applications has required a deep dive into PowerShell scripts or obscure third-party utilities, especially in the case of “system” apps that don’t even appear in the standard uninstall menu.
This scenario is especially frustrating for businesses and power users. In managed IT environments, every superfluous app multiplies maintenance, consumes storage, and might even muddy security compliance. For everyday consumers, the inability to quickly remove unwanted apps runs counter to the increasing emphasis on customization and user empowerment that operating systems claim as a virtue.

A Policy-Based Solution: What’s Incoming in Windows 11 25H2​

Microsoft’s latest Dev builds for Windows 11 25H2 introduce a potentially game-changing policy: “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system.” This setting, found under Administrative Templates, offers a much-anticipated streamlined approach to decluttering Windows installations. Unlike previous cryptic workarounds, this is a first-party administrative control, directly exposing the uninstall option for an extensive, clearly enumerated list of Microsoft apps.

Which Apps Can Be Removed?​

Based on analysis of build 26200.5670, the following apps are on the new policy’s chopping block:

• 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 *

(A single asterisk * designates background “headless” apps, mainly powering Xbox features. A double asterisk ** points to utilities integral to common workflows, like Photos or Camera. Removing them won’t break the OS, but users will need third-party replacements.)
Significantly, this list excludes Microsoft Edge, the company’s Chromium-based web browser. Edge remains deeply entangled in the OS core and, for now, cannot be removed via this policy—likely due to its integration with system-level web components and security features.

How It Works​

To apply the policy, administrators or users within enterprise environments simply enable “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages,” select the apps to be purged from the system, and hit Apply. This is strikingly more user-friendly than previous manual methods, which often involved verifying complex GUIDs or leveraging undocumented PowerShell commands.
Initial reports, including hands-on coverage by Windows Latest and developer insights such as those from Tero Alhonen, suggest that the feature is present but still under active refinement. In the current Dev build, enabling the policy and selecting applications does not consistently execute their removal—a strong indication that the tool is still a work in progress.

The Impact for Users: Streamlined Customization and Greater Control​

If Microsoft carries through on this promise in the public release, the ramifications are wide-reaching:

A More Personalized Experience​

The ability to remove Microsoft-branded apps, even those previously classified as “integral” or “system” components, is a win for user agency. No longer will Windows users have to accept a monolithic experience; instead, they can customize clean installs to suit their individual workflows or business policies.

Administrative Efficiency in the Enterprise​

For IT administrators, this sets the stage for much faster post-deployment optimization. Rather than scripting and maintaining lengthy removal scripts, admins can leverage standard policy rollouts to remove unwanted apps in Windows 11 25H2. This reduces complexity, lessens the margin for error, and ensures greater consistency across managed devices—whether desktops in a corporate office or virtual desktops in a cloud-hosted environment.

Security and Privacy​

While most Microsoft apps are benign, unnecessary software can contribute to the overall attack surface of a system. Reducing the number of default apps deployed, especially those with cloud connectivity or ties to online identities (like Xbox or Teams), marginally decreases risk and simplifies compliance for privacy-sensitive organizations.

Technical Challenges and Unanswered Questions​

Despite the optimism, several factors temper expectations and introduce caution for early adopters and enterprise decision-makers.

Feature Completeness and Reliability​

Current builds reveal that the policy doesn’t consistently trigger app removal, as noted by firsthand testers. This suggests either an unfinished backend implementation, or unresolved permission and dependency issues. There’s always a risk that, until finalized, such features may disappear, change radically, or not be enabled by default.
Given Microsoft’s recent stumbles with Windows 11 feature rollouts—such as the phased introduction, then pullback, of controversial Start menu changes—users should be wary of pinning all hopes on Dev build features until they reach stable channels.

The Matter of System Integrations​

Some apps, while technically removable, play a quasi-integral role in core user experiences. Paint, Photos, Notepad, and Calculator have long acted as fallback utilities for common tasks across many Windows systems. For these, Microsoft marks them with a double asterisk, explaining that removing them won’t “break” Windows, but users must have alternatives lined up. This creates both freedom and responsibility: there is more power, but also more risk of deleting tools quickly needed in troubleshooting or remote-assist scenarios.

Why not Multi-Select in Settings?​

One lingering question is why such functionality cannot—or has not—been exposed directly in the consumer-facing Settings app, rather than hidden behind Group Policy or administrative templates. A multi-select uninstall capability seems an intuitive and long-overdue quality-of-life upgrade for all users, not just sysadmins. For now, consumers without access to Group Policy Editor on Home editions may remain excluded from this streamlined experience, unless or until Microsoft brings parity across editions.

Edge: The Unremovable Elephant​

Despite broadening the uninstallable app list, Microsoft Edge remains locked into the Windows experience. While this is justified by technical dependencies (Edge WebView components underpin key Windows UIs and third-party apps), it’s a sore spot for users seeking a truly minimal or fully customized install environment. Antitrust tension, ongoing in the EU and elsewhere, may eventually force Microsoft’s hand, but for now, Edge is immovable.

Comparing to Similar Efforts: How Does Windows Stack Up?​

Other major operating systems balance bundled app experiences differently. macOS, for instance, allows for many system apps to be hidden but not uninstalled without resorting to Terminal commands or third-party utilities. Linux distributions, meanwhile, typically provide far greater package-level uninstall freedom but at the expense of risk for less technical users. Microsoft’s latest approach sits in an interesting middle ground—policy-driven, reversible, and explicit.
For comparison, the Android ecosystem made headlines when Google began allowing users to uninstall or disable many more pre-installed apps in recent years, in response to user outcry and regulatory pressure. Windows’ latest moves show a similar willingness to yield to longstanding user feedback, even if some core boundaries remain.

Strengths of the New App Removal Policy​

• User Empowerment: Direct, policy-driven approach supports varied workflows and user preferences without scripting gymnastics.
• Administrative Scalability: Fast rollout across multiple devices or images, supporting remote, hybrid, and on-premises environments.
• Security: Marginally reduces system attack surface by minimizing unnecessary software.
• Clarity: Explicit list of apps, with clear designation of which are headless/system-essential, minimizes guesswork.

Areas of Concern and Limitations​

• Incomplete Implementation: As of public builds, the solution is not fully functional—users report no immediate effect after enabling the policy.
• Exclusivity to Pro/Enterprise: Unless settings migrate to standard app controls, Home users may be left out.
• Edge Exclusion: Microsoft Edge remains mandatory, fueling criticism about forced software inclusion.
• Potential for User Error: Removing tools like Photos, Notepad, or Media Player may inconvenience users who don’t expect the downstream effects.
• Reliance on Policy Editors: The need to use Administrative Templates keeps the experience squarely in IT’s domain, not suitable for most consumers.

Recommendations for Users and Organizations​

For users eager to try this feature, a cautious approach is warranted. Installing Windows 11 25H2 Dev builds in a virtual environment or on non-critical hardware is the best way to explore the new settings without risking core productivity. Backing up any vital data and taking note of which applications you rely on daily is also essential—especially before committing app removals.
For organizations, the impending general availability of this functionality justifies a review of provisioning scripts and group policy templates. IT teams should prepare now to update deployment documentation, and consider how this change aligns with security posture, support testing, and software license management.
Keep in mind as well that some apps, while unwanted, may become necessary for troubleshooting or remote support—Quick Assist, for example, is a staple for technical help desks. Policy-driven removals can be reversed, but clarity and communication with end users is crucial before standardizing this change.

The Road Ahead: Could More Customization Follow?​

Microsoft’s decision to expose a granular, policy-based uninstallation menu signals a maturing approach to user empowerment in Windows. With regulatory environments evolving, user expectations shifting, and competing platforms offering ever-richer customization options, this kind of transparency and control was overdue.
Will Edge removal—or at least a “hide” option—follow? If history is a guide, user demand, competitive pressure, and external legal forces will continue to shape what’s possible in future builds. The more granular and accessible Microsoft makes its uninstallation controls, the more likely it will be to win user trust, especially with businesses wary of one-size-fits-all app environments.

Bottom Line: Toward a Leaner, More Flexible Windows Future​

The ability to streamline Windows by removing default Microsoft Store apps natively, via official policy, is a powerful development with the potential to please both consumers and IT professionals. While the current implementation is incomplete and somewhat hidden, the direction is clear: Windows 11 25H2 is poised to give users new tools for personalization, efficiency, and security.
The new app removal policy, as it stands, isn’t a panacea—Edge remains eternally fused to the OS, and the Settings app still lacks a true multi-select uninstall. Nevertheless, this marks one of the most user-respecting changes to Windows app management in recent years, showing a willingness from Microsoft to heed long-standing feedback and put more control in users’ hands.
As this feature matures and rolls out across all channels, Windows users should anticipate a lighter, faster, and more tailored computing experience—one built not just for convenience, but for genuine choice. For anyone who has ever groaned at the sight of an unwanted app on a new machine, the future looks a lot less cluttered.

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Source: Windows Latest Removing Microsoft apps could become easy in Windows 11 25H2