Solved A Powershell dummy needs a Powershell expert

glasskuter · Aug 6, 2023

I am pretty much illiterate in powershell so I need some help.

1. Treesize shows 5 Dell apps using about 2 gb of disk space in folder C:\Windows|Program Files\Windows Apps. (see screenshot attached) These are all apps I uninstalled using Revo when I got this computer.

2. When I run Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName I do not see these apps installed for my user in the list. However, when I run Get-AppxPackage –AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName I do see these apps in the list for allusers.

3. In PS as admin, Using both package name and wildcards( *.*) I have attempted to remove these packages for all users.
Using PowerDirectorforDell as an example I enter either of the following:

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *PowerDirector* | Remove-AppxPackage
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers DB6EA5DB.PowerDirectorforDell | Remove-AppxPackage

Each time it accepts either of those commands with no errors, but I followup with another Get-AppxPackage –AllUsers | Select Name, PackageFullName and the apps are still there. (Yes, I've restarted)

How do I get rid of these suckers?? What am I doing wrong? Is this something to do with permissions, maybe? Why does it accept the commands but not remove them? I want my 2 gb of storage back on principal more than anything else.

ARRRGGHHH!!!!! I hate powershell.

iko22 · Aug 6, 2023

2. If you specify User Name, then cmdlet returns packages ONLY installed for that user.

3. Have you checked you have file/folder permissions on Windows Apps subfolder?

x BlueRobot · Aug 6, 2023

It might be worthwhile running those commands with a Process Monitor trace and then filtering the saved trace to the corresponding directories. It could possibly be "silently" failing.

BrianInEngland · Aug 6, 2023

Enable the built-in Admin account, log in and remove them using Powershell?

Disable it again after of course

Are these apps not in the Start menu? Again, try it from the Admin account

glasskuter · Aug 6, 2023

iko22 said:
Have you checked you have file/folder permissions on Windows Apps subfolder?

Yes, that's why I mentioned permissions above. The sub folder is owned by trusted installer. I hesitate to take control of the entire folder and there is no option to change ownership of individual packages. Jacking with trusted installer can get one in a such a mess. I was hoping there would be a way to use powershell to deal with these 5 app packages. Does anyone know if there will be no repurcussions by changing ownership of the folder long enough to see if I can remove the packages, and then changing ownership of folder back to trusted installer.

garlin · Aug 6, 2023

Appx packages are installed on a system level, but are individually registered for each user profile. So if you remove them for yourself, it only deletes your AppDataLocal files and settings. This allows other users, and future users to continue using the app for themselves.

The app isn't removed until it's unregistered for all user accounts.

Code:

PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-AppxPackage *Notepad* -AllUsers | Remove-AppPackage -AllUsers
PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-AppxPackage *Notepad* -AllUsers

PS C:\Windows\system32> dir "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_11.2112.32.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe"
dir : Cannot find path 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_11.2112.32.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe' because it does not exist.

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers DB6EA5DB.PowerDirectorforDell | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Fabler2 · Aug 6, 2023

Maybe WingetUI might be of help?

glasskuter · Aug 6, 2023

garlin said:
The app isn't removed until it's unregistered for all user accounts.

Yes, I know. I entered that exact command (Post #1 step 3) The command did not error, showed it completed, but package still not removed. Enabled hidden administrator account. Those 5 apps were in all app list. I uninstalled them from that account and then tried to remove the app packages using PS from administrator. Same exact thing. Tried @Fabler2 suggestion. Winget list command does not show those 5 apps installed so can't do anything using Winget.

It just pi$$es me off that I can't get rid of an app package for a manufacturer app. I ain't liking it but guess I have to live with it. Things like this irk me to no end.

garlin · Aug 6, 2023

Are they protected with the NonRemovable flag?
Get-AppxPackage *Dell* | select Name,NonRemovable

glasskuter · Aug 6, 2023

non

garlin said:
Are they protected with the NonRemovable flag?

non removable=false

DigitalGoat · Aug 6, 2023

Not sure if this might help or is even possible but have you checked the GPE, I assume it is the Windows Pro as listed in your profile, to see if Dell has changed or added a policy to protect thier software from removal?

Try3 · Aug 6, 2023

I think, from what you've written, that you are using
Uninstall Apps - ElevenForumTutorials
and I wondered if asking in the tutorial thread might be useful.

[That comment about the Built-in Admin won't help you. It is no more powerful than any Admin account you have created yourself.]

Best of luck,
Denis

glasskuter · Aug 6, 2023

To anyone interested, I found my answer why I couldn't delete these packages. It seems this is folder specific. When you check permissions for the WindowsApps folder, you get an error message "access point corrupted", even when there's actually not an issue with the folder but still throws out an error message anyway. This was all after I had come up clean with SFC and used DISM.

How To Fix “This Access Control Entry Is Corrupted” Error

When your Universal Windows or Microsoft Store Apps encounter certain issues, instructions on the internet may tell you to access this folder and make some

www.technewstoday.com

This is a really informative article you might want to keep handy if you ever have to deal with trusted installer permissions.
I jumped through hoops but was able to get permission away from trusted installer, delete the apps in PS, and then assign trusted installer ownership again. We'll see if I end up having any repurcussions from it when using any of my other store apps. I always have a backup if anything squirrelly happens.
Thanks for your suggestions.