The fastest way to remove Microsoft Store

You can remove the Microsoft Store app from Windows 10 or Windows 11 using the Settings menu in about two minutes. Open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft Store in the list, click it, then click Uninstall and confirm. The app will be gone from your system.

If the Uninstall button is greyed out or does not appear, your account does not have administrator rights on this computer. You will need to sign in with an administrator account, or ask whoever manages the computer to remove it for you. Some Windows installations (particularly on work or school computers) lock the Store app to prevent removal.

Removing Microsoft Store does not affect Windows itself or any other programs. You can reinstall it later from the Windows installation media or by running a repair if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • The Microsoft Store app can be removed through Settings > Apps > Apps & features on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
  • If the Uninstall button is unavailable, your account lacks administrator permissions and you will need to switch accounts or contact your system administrator.
  • Removing the Store app does not uninstall Windows or break any system functions.
  • You can reinstall Microsoft Store later if you decide you want it back.
  • Some managed computers (work, school, or organization-owned) may prevent Store removal through group policy settings.

Step-by-step removal through Settings

Start by opening the Settings app. Press the Windows key and type Settings, then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps in the left sidebar (or scroll down and select it if you are on an older version of Windows 10).

In the Apps section, click Apps & features. You will see a list of all installed programs. Scroll down or use the search box at the top to find Microsoft Store. Click on it once to select it, and an Uninstall button will appear to the right.

Click Uninstall. A confirmation dialog will pop up asking if you want to remove the app. Click Uninstall again to confirm. Windows will remove the app, and you may see a progress bar. Once it finishes, the Microsoft Store will no longer appear on your Start menu or in your apps list.

What to do if Uninstall is greyed out

If the Uninstall button appears but is greyed out (faded), or if it does not appear at all, your user account does not have administrator rights. Windows prevents non-administrator accounts from removing certain system apps. You have two options: switch to an administrator account, or ask the person who manages this computer to remove it.

To check if you have administrator rights, open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info. Look for text that says "Administrator" under your account name. If it says "Standard user" instead, you will need to use a different account or contact your system administrator.

If this is a work or school computer, the Microsoft Store may be locked by group policy — a setting that prevents certain apps from being removed. In that case, only your IT department or system administrator can remove it, even with administrator rights.

Removing Microsoft Store using PowerShell

If Settings does not work or you prefer the command line, you can remove Microsoft Store using PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin) depending on your Windows version. If you see a User Account Control prompt, click Yes.

In the PowerShell window, paste this command and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage

PowerShell will remove the app without asking for confirmation. The process takes a few seconds. Once it finishes, close PowerShell. Microsoft Store will be gone from your system. This method works even if the Uninstall button is greyed out in Settings, as long as your account has administrator rights.

Reinstalling Microsoft Store if you change your mind

If you remove Microsoft Store and later decide you want it back, you can reinstall it. The easiest way is to open the Microsoft Store page on the web, click the Get button, and Windows will open the Store installation. You can also search for "Microsoft Store" in the Windows search box and click Get if it appears.

Alternatively, you can reinstall it through PowerShell by running this command as administrator:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

If neither method works, you can repair Windows itself through Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, which will restore Microsoft Store along with other built-in apps. This is a more involved process and should only be used if reinstallation fails.

Why you might want to remove Microsoft Store

Some people remove Microsoft Store because they do not use it and want to reduce clutter on their Start menu. Others remove it to free up a small amount of disk space, though the app itself takes up very little room. Some users prefer to install programs from other sources like the web or Steam, and do not need the Store.

Removing the Store does not affect Windows Update, security patches, or any other Windows functions. It also does not prevent you from installing programs from other sources. The only thing you lose is the ability to read apps directly from the Microsoft Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Microsoft Store break Windows?

No. Microsoft Store is a standalone app, not a core part of Windows. Removing it does not affect Windows Update, system stability, or any other built-in features. Windows will continue to work normally.

Can I remove Microsoft Store on Windows 11?

Yes. The process is identical to Windows 10: go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft Store, and click Uninstall. If the button is greyed out, your account lacks administrator rights.

Does removing Microsoft Store free up a lot of disk space?

No. Microsoft Store takes up only about 100 to 200 MB of space, so removing it will not noticeably improve your storage. If you are trying to free up significant disk space, uninstalling larger programs or deleting old files will have a much bigger impact.

What if I remove Microsoft Store and then want to reinstall it?

You can reinstall it by searching for "Microsoft Store" in Windows search and clicking Get, or by visiting the Microsoft Store website and clicking Get. If those do not work, you can use a PowerShell command to restore it, or repair Windows through Settings > System > Recovery.

Can I remove Microsoft Store on a work or school computer?

Probably not. Work and school computers often have group policy settings that lock the Microsoft Store to prevent removal. If the Uninstall button is greyed out, contact your IT department or system administrator — they may be able to remove it for you if there is a business reason.