Windows 10 1803 Built-In Apps: What to Keep
The development of the Spring Creators Update (codenamed "Redstone 4") is now heading towards the finishing line. We can assume that Windows 10 1803 is now feature-complete and as such, I can't stress it highly enough that you should start testing the newest features and functionality in this Semi-Annual Channel release as soon as possible in preparation for broad deployment to the devices in your organization. As part of this process, you should take a look at provisioned apps - most likely you want to ensure that only a choice selection of apps is being installed, whenever a user logs on either for the first time or after installing a feature update on a Windows 10 computer, because app installation directly impacts login times.
Note
This blog post is based on pre-release information and may be subject to change.
In the Spring Creators Update, Microsoft added two new removable apps. The Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions package adds support for the open source OGG container and the Theora and Vorbis codecs in the Edge browser and Windows 10 apps. The implementation is based on the well-known FFmpeg codecs using the FFmpeg Interop library. Additionally, Microsoft developers implemented a redesigned Game Bar experience in Windows 10 via the Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay app which takes full advantage of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and provides streamlined access to core functionalities such as screenshots capture and game clips recording.
Below is a list of applications which are flagged as removable in Windows 10 Spring Creators Update - color coded from Enterprise client standpoint for your convenience.
Please be aware, that the decision which applications should be removed can be tricky and very dependant on your usage scenario. Consider the list below - based on my interactions with various customers - as food for thought.
- Microsoft.BingWeather
- Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller
- Microsoft.GetHelp
- Microsoft.Getstarted
- Microsoft.Messaging
- Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer
- Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub
- Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection
- Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes
- Microsoft.MSPaint
- Microsoft.Office.OneNote (Note: Consider keeping if you are allowing Microsoft Account usage)
- Microsoft.OneConnect
- Microsoft.People
- Microsoft.Print3D
- Microsoft.SkypeApp
- Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp
- Microsoft.Wallet
- Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions
- Microsoft.Windows.Photos
- Microsoft.WindowsAlarms
- Microsoft.WindowsCalculator
- Microsoft.WindowsCamera
- microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps
- Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub
- Microsoft.WindowsMaps
- Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder
- Microsoft.WindowsStore
- Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI
- Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay
- Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay
- Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider
- Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay
- Microsoft.ZuneMusic
- Microsoft.ZuneVideo
Note
removing the Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI app used to break Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7 in earlier Insider Builds. However, using the very latest Insider Build I could not identify any detrimental side effects upon removal of the provisioned app package. See this post for additional details.
Explanation:
- Green: "Keep"
- Gold: "Consider keeping in order to ensure full Windows 10 functionality"
- Red: "Consider removing in an Enterprise scenario".
Important
I am yet to come up with a solid reason why Microsoft flags following apps as removable: DesktopAppInstaller, StorePurchaseApp, WindowsStore.
Note
When you build your image, you should also consider removing Quick Support capability using DISM. See my previous blog on how to remove Windows capabilities for more guidance.
Additional considerations: In a multi-language image you may experience issues localizing built-in apps. See my blog for additional details.