Enhancing User Experience with New Uninstall Options
Windows users have long voiced their frustrations regarding preinstalled applications that clutter their interfaces and sometimes hinder performance. The introduction of a new feature in Windows 11 version 25H2, discovered by Windows Insiders, offers a solution that promises to streamline the user experience significantly.
This innovative setting, aptly named Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages, can be found under the path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment. It allows users, particularly IT administrators managing multiple devices, to easily remove unnecessary Microsoft applications from their systems.
Among the programs available for removal are familiar names such as the Camera, Sound Recorder, Windows Media Player, Xbox, Windows Terminal, and Notepad. However, it is important to note that this feature does not extend to third-party applications like LinkedIn.
Currently, users looking to uninstall these built-in apps often resort to complex methods, such as utilizing PowerShell. The new native policy introduced in version 25H2 simplifies this process, making it the likely go-to method for users in the future.
Once the policy is activated and the desired applications are selected for removal, the uninstallation process is straightforward. For optimal results, administrators are advised to complete this process before new users log in, ensuring a clean and distraction-free interface. However, users may still encounter non-functional shortcuts in the Start menu after the apps have been removed.
The first preview build of Windows 11 version 25H2 was released late last month, although Microsoft did not highlight any new features at that time. Speculation surrounding the potential arrival of Windows 12 has circulated, with earlier rumors suggesting a 2025 launch. However, the introduction of version 25H2 may postpone this next major operating system revision by at least another year.
As for the transition to Windows 12, Microsoft has yet to provide a timeline. Windows 11 has only recently surpassed Windows 10 in terms of user base after more than three years on the market, with the impending end of Windows 10 support this October likely contributing to this shift. The release of Windows 11 version 25H2 may serve to rekindle interest in the current operating system.
Interestingly, the ability to uninstall official apps may not be exclusive to version 25H2. Microsoft’s Jason Leznek has confirmed that similar features will also be available in version 24H2, albeit disabled by default. A public release of Windows 11 version 25H2 is anticipated later this year, promising to enhance user control and customization in the Windows environment.
