PowerShell Script to Remove In-Box Apps from Windows 10 Image File

For System Admins this PowerShell script will help you remove unwanted built-in apps from your organizations Windows 10 image file.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

October 31, 2016

1 Min Read
PowerShell Script to Remove In-Box Apps from Windows 10 Image File
Andre Picker

I am always on the lookout for great resources and this PowerShell script is one I think you might want to bookmark as it might come in handy for system admins who are configuring Windows 10 installation for their organizations.

In the Windows 10 Anniversary Update any in-box first party apps that were previously uninstalled are re-installed when a new Feature Update upgrade occurs. Luckily that only happens about two times per year. However, Microsoft understands that this is not the ideal situation so in current testing builds for Windows 10 Redstone 2, now known as the Creators Update, Microsoft has made changes that prevent those apps from getting placed back on a system after those Feature Updates.

Now the Creators Update is not expected until sometime in the Spring of 2017 so in the interim this PowerShell script will help you manage which default apps are in the Windows 10 images, aka WIM files, so that you do not have to deal with their manual removal after installation.

This PowerShell script, created by Andre Picker, is posted over on the TechNet System Center Gallery and already has nearly 10,000 downloads since it was made available earlier this year.

The current version of the script is 1.2 and can be found at the Removing Built-in apps from Windows 10 WIM-File with Powershell page.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author(s)

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.