Microsoft has introduced a new app management policy that allows IT administrators to remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps (also known as in-box apps) from Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 and Windows 11 Education 25H2 devices.
This new feature is available through Configuration Service Provider (CSP), Group Policy Object (GPO), and the Microsoft Intune settings catalog, giving organizations multiple ways to manage default apps across systems.
Previously, removing pre-installed apps required custom installation images or complex PowerShell scripts, but the new policy makes the process far simpler. It lets admins choose from a predefined list of Microsoft Store apps and remove them automatically. Once applied, the policy deletes the selected app packages and local data from devices without additional configuration.
“Starting this month, you can remove select in-box apps using straightforward policy on Windows 11 Enterprise or Windows 11 Education, version 25H2. The new policy, called Remove default Microsoft Store packages from the system, is disabled by default,” Microsoft explained.
The feature must be explicitly enabled by administrators and can be used with Group Policy or mobile device management (MDM) tools such as Microsoft Intune.
To use this policy in Intune, admins can:
- Go to Devices > Manage devices > Configuration > Create > New policy in the Intune admin center.
- Choose the following settings:
- Category: Administrative Templates → Windows Components → App Package Deployment
- Setting name: Remove default Microsoft Store packages from the system
- Value: Enabled
- Set the toggle to True for each app you want to remove.
- Assign the policy to one or more device groups.
Microsoft says this approach will reduce operational overhead, especially for organizations that previously relied on custom scripts that often broke when app versions changed.
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“The new policy lets you select and remove apps according to your organization’s requirements with reduced operational overhead,” Microsoft added.
The complete list of supported apps and instructions for applying the policy via Local Group Policy Editor or across Active Directory-joined devices are available on Microsoft’s official documentation page.
