Microsoft’s latest OS Windows 10 is in full swing and it can be said categorically that it has defied the odds and exceeded the expectations by taking PC software market by storm. More than 200 million devices worldwide are now running on Windows 10, a staggering feat consider that OS was launched for public just 8 months ago. Windows 10 comes with many built-in apps to help users in carrying out routine tasks with utmost ease. Importance of these essential Windows 10 built-in apps in enhancing productivity can’t be ignored. Moreover, being default apps they take up hardly any PC hard disk space. However, they do create clutter on the Start Menu, which some might not be too comfortable with, especially those who like everything on the PC properly arranged and clutter free. Although you can uninstall built-in apps on Windows 10, we would suggest its best to let them be and ignore them instead of deleting them from PC Windows 10. In case you change your mind and want to reinstall built-in apps, there is also an easy way of doing it as will be discussed in this post.
How to uninstall Windows 10 built-in apps:
All built-in apps on Windows 10 can be found in the Start Menu by clicking the ‘Start button’ and then ‘All Apps’ option. Some built-in apps can be uninstalled using normal uninstall method. Right-click the app icon and select uninstall option from the context menu. For others there is slightly different way of accomplishing the same task. (Touchscreen users just tap on the app icon for a few second and tap uninstall from the small context menu window).
All built-in apps can be installed from Windows 10 except Cortana and Microsoft Edge. Other apps such as Get Started, Solitaire game, Money, Sports app, Office, Skype and all other default apps can be uninstalled with the method mentioned below.
Uninstall Apps using PowerShell
All default Windows 10 apps, both with or without normal uninstall option, can be taken care of using Windows PowerShell feature. Note that Cortana and Edge Browser cannot be removed at all.
To open PowerShell, type ‘PowerShell’ in the search box and click ‘Windows PowerShell’ from the search result list. Or go to Start > All Apps > Windows PowerShell to open the command prompt. Make sure that you choose ‘Run as administrator’ option when opening PowerShell.
When Windows PowerShell command prompt is open, type or just copy and paste following commands in to it for uninstalling the default app associated with that particular command.
Uninstall Calculator
Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Xbox
Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Sports
Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall weather
Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Money
Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Skype
Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Camera
Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Maps
Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall OneNote
Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall 3D Builder
Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Office
Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Movies & TV
Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall People
Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Store
Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Music
Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Calendar & Mail
Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Photos
Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Voice Reccorder
Get-AppxPackage *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Uninstall Phone Companion
Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Windows Feedback and Contact Support cannot be removed with the above mentioned method or any other way for that matter.
How to Reinstall Default Apps on Windows 10
With the command given below you will be able to recover deleted built-in apps on Windows 10. Just open Windows PowerShell the way mentioned above in this post, and run it as administrator. Now copy and paste or manually type the following command in PowerShell command prompt:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Hit the enter key after the command for reinstalling built-in apps. Wait some time for the process to finish, restart the PC and check Start menu, all built-in apps should be back now. Once again as a reminder, uninstall built-apps only when it’s absolutely essential, of course you can recover them by using our method but still it’s best not to tinker with system apps or programs.
For More, Read: 10 Best Cortana Features for PC (Windows 10) & Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14267 Released with Microsoft Edge Enhancements