Solved Can I uninstall UWP apps from a command line while still placeholders in Start?

hsehestedt · Apr 13, 2023

I have a whole lot of my installation of Windows automated. For example, I use an unattended answer file to install Windows. Then I have a batch file that installs all drivers for my system and applies Windows customization to get Windows set up just how I like it.

However, there is one thing that eludes me. After a clean install, you get a whole bunch of icons in Start such as ESPN, Messenger, Instagram, Netflix, etc. These seem to be placeholders as the associated apps only get installed when you click one of those icons the first time. I know that I can right-click any of those icons and choose to uninstall, but does anyone know of a way to do this from the command line so I can script it?

Let's take an example...

After a clean install of Windows, one of the placeholders is "Instagram". If I run the command "winget uninstall instagram" it will fail with the message "No installed package found matching input criteria.". However, if I click the icon and allow Instagram to install, then I can run the same command and Instagram will be uninstalled. My goal is to be able to delete these from the command line without having to first install them.

I'm assuming that I am not finding answers because I'm probably not using the correct terminology. I'm calling these icons before the apps are installed "placeholders" but there is probably some other term for these.

Any ideas?

garlin · Apr 13, 2023

I believe the correct term is "stub" packages. They're placeholders to launch Store to do a full package install.

To prevent Suggested Apps from appearing on Start Menu, you need to create a reg key for Content Delivery Manager.
Turn Off Automatic Installation of Suggested Apps in Windows 10

kgarrett67 · Apr 13, 2023

Open a command prompt and run winget list

Scroll down the list and see if Instagram is listed under the Name column. To the right under Source, is Winget the Source?

hsehestedt · Apr 13, 2023

garlin, thank you. I will look at the info you provided.

kgarrett67, no, none of those stub apps appear in a list until after you click on them to allow them to be installed.

garlin · Apr 13, 2023

Suggested apps aren't really installed. Therefore, they're untouchable by Remove-AppxPackage or winget.

From my digging, they exist somewhere in the registry and inside StateRepository-Machine (Appx database). I haven't heard of any solution to programatically remove them after creation. You can create a new Start Menu default layout, which just doesn't display them, but I don't think they're gone from Windows.

Ghot · Apr 13, 2023

garlin said:
To prevent Suggested Apps from appearing on Start Menu, you need to create a reg key for Content Delivery Manager

Mine is set to "zero" as in the tutorial.
I've not seen any stubs... ever.

Showing my entire ContentDeliveryManager key, in case any other items seem interesting...

kgarrett67 · Apr 13, 2023

hsehestedt said:
garlin, thank you. I will look at the info you provided.

kgarrett67, no, none of those stub apps appear in a list until after you click on them to allow them to be installed.

I have Instagram installed from the Microsoft Store. Winget shows Instagram in the list, but not a Winget source. I'm not sure where I was going with the post, but I've used Winget upgrade and found it doesn't pick up everything I have installed.

hsehestedt · Apr 13, 2023

Doesn't look like anything shown thus far actually makes a difference in this instance.

I'm going to research further, but it's not really a huge deal. I simply right-click each stub app and choose to uninstall, but would have loved to be able to script this somehow.

ghot - thanks for the info. In my case, the only time I see those stubs is after the initial clean install of Windows. If networking is disabled I will see grey spots with no icons, kink of like placeholders. As soon as I connect to the internet within about 5 seconds every one of those placeholders gets replaced by a stub icon. The icon then needs to be clicked to actually install the app.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Ghot · Apr 13, 2023

hsehestedt said:
Doesn't look like anything shown thus far actually makes a difference in this instance.

I'm going to research further, but it's not really a huge deal. I simply right-click each stub app and choose to uninstall, but would have loved to be able to script this somehow.

ghot - thanks for the info. In my case, the only time I see those stubs is after the initial clean install of Windows. If networking is disabled I will see grey spots with no icons, kink of like placeholders. As soon as I connect to the internet within about 5 seconds every one of those placeholders gets replaced by a stub icon. The icon then needs to be clicked to actually install the app.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Well, it may be that I didn't clean install Windows 11.
I did an In-Place Upgrade from a tweaked Win 10 to Win 11.
That pretty much eliminated most of the Win 11 funny business.

FreeBooter · Apr 13, 2023

I have a script that can be use for to uninstall default built-in apps in Windows 10, but i don't see why it will not work for Windows 11.

Warning this script should only be executed when user is sure to uninstall all default built-in apps.

Code:

:: Uninstall all apps bundled with Windows 10


@Echo Off & Color 0E


(Net session >nul 2>&1)||(PowerShell start """%~0""" -verb RunAs & Exit /B)


::Creating System Restore point
Wmic.exe /Namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call CreateRestorePoint "Restore All Apps", 100, 12

Cd %TMP%




Echo Get-AppxPackage *3DBuilder* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > 3DBuilder.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File 3DBuilder.ps1

Del 3DBuilder.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft3DViewer* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > 3DViewer.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File 3DViewer.ps1

Del 3DViewer.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsAlarms* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Alarms.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Alarms.ps1

Del Alarms.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *AppConnector* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Connector.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Connector.ps1

Del Connector.ps1




Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsCalculator* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Calculator.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Calculator.ps1

Del Calculator.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Communications.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Communications.ps1

Del Communications.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsCamera* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Camera.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Camera.ps1

Del Camera.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *CandyCrushSodaSaga* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Candy.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Candy.ps1

Del Candy.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *ContactSupport* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > ContactSupport.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File ContactSupport.ps1

Del ContactSupport.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *DrawboardPDF* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > DrawboardPDF.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File DrawboardPDF.ps1

Del DrawboardPDF.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsFeedbackHub* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > FeedbackHub.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File FeedbackHub.ps1

Del FeedbackHub.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *ContactSupport* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > ContactSupport.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File ContactSupport.ps1

Del ContactSupport.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftOfficeHub* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Office.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Office.ps1

Del Office.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *GetStarted* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > GetStarted.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File GetStarted.ps1

Del GetStarted.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *ZuneMusic* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > ZuneMusic.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File ZuneMusic.ps1

Del ZuneMusic.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Communicationsapps.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Communicationsapps.ps1

Del Communicationsapps.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsMaps* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Maps.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Maps.ps1

Del Maps.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Messaging* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Messaging.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Messaging.ps1

Del Messaging.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftSolitaireCollection* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Solitaire.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Solitaire.ps1

Del Solitaire.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Whiteboard* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Whiteboard.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Whiteboard.ps1

Del Whiteboard.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > MixedReality.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File MixedReality.ps1

Del MixedReality.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *BingFinance* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > BingFinance.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File BingFinance.ps1

Del BingFinance.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *ZuneVideo* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > ZuneVideo.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File ZuneVideo.ps1

Del ZuneVideo.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *BingNews* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > BingNews.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File BingNews.ps1

Del BingNews.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *microsoft.microsoftskydrive* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > OneDrive.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File OneDrive.ps1

Del OneDrive.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Office.OneNote* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > OneNote.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File OneNote.ps1

Del OneNote.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *MSPaint* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > MSPaint.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File MSPaint.ps1

Del MSPaint.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *CommsPhone* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Phone.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Phone.ps1

Del Phone.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsPhone* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > WindowsPhone.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File WindowsPhone.ps1

Del WindowsPhone.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Photos* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Photos.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Photos.ps1

Del Photos.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *SkypeApp* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Skype.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Skype.ps1

Del Skype.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > ScreenSketch.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File ScreenSketch.ps1

Del ScreenSketch.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *BingSports* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > BingSports.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File BingSports.ps1

Del BingSports.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftStickyNotes* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > StickyNotes.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File StickyNotes.ps1

Del StickyNotes.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Office.Sway* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Sway.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Sway.ps1

Del Sway.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Getstarted* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Tips.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Tips.ps1

Del Tips.ps1


Echo Get-AppxPackage *Twitter* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Twitter.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Twitter.ps1

Del Twitter.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *WindowsSoundRecorder* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > SoundRecorder.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File SoundRecorder.ps1

Del SoundRecorder.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *BingWeather* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > Weather.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File Weather.ps1

Del Weather.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *XboxApp* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > XboxApp.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File XboxApp.ps1

Del XboxApp.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > XboxGamingOverlay.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File XboxGamingOverlay.ps1

Del XboxGamingOverlay.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *XboxOneSmartGlass* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > XboxOneSmartGlass.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File XboxOneSmartGlass.ps1

Del XboxOneSmartGlass.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.YourPhone* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > YourPhone.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File YourPhone.ps1

Del YourPhone.ps1




Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.GetHelp* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > GetHelp.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File GetHelp.ps1

Del GetHelp.ps1



Echo Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.People* ^| Remove-AppxPackage > People.ps1

Powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File People.ps1

Del People.ps1

hsehestedt · Apr 13, 2023

Thanks, FreeBooter. The problem is that when you perform a Get-AppPackage operation, not one of those apps like Instagram, Netflix, ESPN, etc. are returned. Once you click on those stubs and allow the app to install, then Get-AppPackage will find the app and it can then be uninstalled.

So, for now, I'm simply going to resign myself to needing to right-click on the stubs and then selecting "uninstall". Again, it's not a huge deal as this takes mere seconds, but it would have been nice to automate.

Far more important is the ability to install apps using "winget" (the package installer) and this is working great. I can pretty much install all my apps with one simple script now.

Thanks to all who provided suggestions, but I think I'm good at this point and don't want to beat the topic to death, so I'll mark it as closed. At least I'm glad I was missing something obvious

.