You can disable the Microsoft Store without removing Windows itself

The Microsoft Store app comes built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, and many people want it gone because it slows their system, clutters their start menu, or they straightforward prefer installing software another way. You have three realistic options: hide it from view, disable it so it cannot run, or remove it entirely using command-line tools. Which one works depends on your Windows version and how much access you have to your system settings.

The easiest route for most people is hiding the app from the Start menu and taskbar so you never see it. If you want to go further and stop it from running in the background, you can disable it through Services. Full removal requires administrator access and a command called PowerShell, which is more technical but permanent.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-clicking the Microsoft Store icon and selecting "Uninstall" removes it from your Start menu and taskbar on Windows 10 and 11, though the app files remain on your system.
  • Disabling the app through Services stops it from running in the background, which saves memory and prevents it from launching when you click a link to the Store.
  • Full removal requires opening PowerShell as administrator and running a command to uninstall the app package, which works on Windows 10 and 11 but may reinstall during major updates.
  • If you use a work or school account, your administrator may have locked the Store, and you will need to contact them before you can remove it.

Hide the Microsoft Store from your Start menu and taskbar

The fastest way to stop seeing the Microsoft Store is to uninstall it from your Start menu. Right-click the Microsoft Store icon wherever you see it — in your Start menu, taskbar, or search results — and select "Uninstall". Windows will ask you to confirm. Click "Uninstall" again. The app disappears from your view when ready.

This method does not actually remove the app from your computer; the files stay in your system folder. But you will not see it in your Start menu, taskbar, or search results unless you specifically look for it in Settings. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store page in Settings under "Apps" > "Apps and features" > "Optional features", or by searching for "Microsoft Store" in the Windows search bar.

Disable the Microsoft Store so it cannot run in the background

If hiding it is not enough and you want to stop the app from running when you are not using it, you can disable it through Windows Services. Open the Services app by pressing Windows key + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter. A list of services appears.

Scroll down and find ClipboardUserService, dmwappushservice, and AppXSvc — these are the services that run the Microsoft Store. Right-click each one, select "Properties", and change the "Startup type" dropdown from "Automatic" to "Disabled". Click "explore" and "OK". Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This stops the Store from launching in the background and using system resources. The app still exists on your computer, but it will not run unless you manually start it. If you later want to use the Store again, return to Services, change the startup type back to "Automatic", and restart.

Completely remove the Microsoft Store using PowerShell

For permanent removal, you need to use PowerShell, which is a command-line tool built into Windows. Press Windows key + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Terminal (Admin)" depending on your Windows version. If you see a User Account Control prompt asking for permission, click "Yes".

In the PowerShell window, type or paste this command exactly:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage

Press Enter and wait for the command to finish. The Microsoft Store is now removed from your system. This method deletes the app files, not just hides them. However, the Store may reinstall itself during a major Windows update, so you may need to run this command again later.

What to do if you cannot remove the Microsoft Store

If you are using a work or school computer, your administrator may have locked the Microsoft Store so you cannot remove it. You will see a message saying "This app is managed by your organization" or "This app cannot be uninstalled" when you try to remove it. In this case, contact your IT department or system administrator — they control whether the Store can be removed.

If you are on your own computer but the PowerShell command does not work, make sure you opened PowerShell as administrator. Right-click the PowerShell icon and select "Run as administrator" to confirm. If the command still fails, your system may have restrictions that prevent removal. In that case, hiding the app or disabling it through Services is your best option.

Alternatives to removing the Microsoft Store

If you want to keep Windows but avoid the Store, you can install software from other sources instead. Ninite lets you read and install multiple programs at once without the Store. Chocolatey is a command-line package manager similar to what Mac and Linux users have. WinGet, made by Microsoft itself, is a newer command-line tool built into Windows 11 that downloads programs without opening the Store.

Many people disable or hide the Store but keep it on their system in case they need it later. This takes up minimal space — the Store app is usually under 500 MB — and gives you the option to re-enable it without reinstalling Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing the Microsoft Store break Windows or other apps?

No. The Store is a separate app, not a core part of Windows. Removing it does not affect Windows updates, security, or other programs. Some apps installed from the Store may stop working if you remove it, but most software installed from other sources will run fine.

Can I remove the Microsoft Store on Windows 11?

Yes, the same methods work on Windows 11. You can hide it, disable it through Services, or use the PowerShell command. Windows 11 makes it slightly easier to hide because you can right-click the icon directly in the Start menu.

What if the Microsoft Store comes back after I remove it?

Major Windows updates sometimes reinstall the Store. If it returns, run the PowerShell command again. You can also disable Windows Store updates through Group Policy (on Pro and Enterprise versions) to prevent it from reinstalling automatically.

Does removing the Microsoft Store speed up my computer?

Slightly. The Store uses a small amount of memory and disk space, and it may run background processes. Removing or disabling it frees up these resources, but the difference is usually not noticeable unless your computer is already running low on memory.

Can I reinstall the Microsoft Store if I change my mind?

Yes. If you hid it, search for "Microsoft Store" in Windows search and click the result. If you removed it with PowerShell, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store page in Settings under "Apps" > "Optional features", or read it from the Microsoft Store website.