Windows 10: How to disable System Apps

Some Windows 10 apps cannot be uninstalled, even not with Power Shell commands. One example is the Edge browser. But you can disable those apps by renaming the folder that they are stored in.

The system apps can be found in

C:\Windows\SystemApps

Find below the list of folders that I have renamed without any problem:

ContactSupport_cw5n1h2txyewy = Get Help
CortanaListenUIApp_cw5n1h2txyewy
DesktopLearning_cw5n1h2txyewy
DesktopView_cw5n1h2txyewy
EnvironmentsApp_cw5n1h2txyewy
holocamera_cw5n1h2txyewy
holoitemplayerapp_cw5n1h2txyewy
InsiderHub_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.AccountsControl_cw5n1h2txyewy = Add MS Account (Cloud)
Microsoft.BioEnrollment_cw5n1h2txyewy
microsoft.creddialoghost_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe = Edge Browser
Microsoft.PPIProjection_cw5n1h2txyewy = Connect (Miracast)
Microsoft.Windows.AppRep.ChxApp_cw5n1h2txyewy = SmartScreen for Applications
Microsoft.Windows.AppResolverUX_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.FilePicker_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.HolographicFirstRun_cw5n1h2txyewy = Mixed Reality Portal
Microsoft.Windows.ModalSharePickerHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePortal_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI_cw5n1h2txyewy = Windows Defender Security Center
Microsoft.Windows.SecondaryTileExperience_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.SecureAssessmentBrowser_cw5n1h2txyewy
Microsoft.Windows.WindowPicker_cw5n1h2txyewy Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI_cw5n1h2txyewy
ParentalControls_cw5n1h2txyewy = Parental Controls

The effect of this is that these apps don't start. So for example when I click on the Edge icon, nothing happens.

When you get bigger updates (e.g. Creators Update), these folders might be recreated and you would have to rename them again.

3 thoughts on “Windows 10: How to disable System Apps”

  1. Still appear in the start menu
    How do I get rid of entries from the start menu
    takes ages to scroll past unwanted crap
    above only stops them working

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