In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to remove the Microsoft Store from your taskbar, thereby giving you more control over your Windows 11 experience.
Whether you rarely use the Store or simply want to declutter your workspace, rest assured we’ve got you covered.
To begin with, here’s a quick step-by-step guide to remove Microsoft Store from the taskbar in Windows 11:
- Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Locate the Microsoft Store app.
- If it’s listed, select it and click Disable.
However, this is just an overview. For a more comprehensive approach, continue reading the blog.
We have included more effective methods with detailed instructions to remove the Microsoft Store from the taskbar in Windows 11 later in this article.
Why should I remove the Microsoft Store from the taskbar ?
While there’s no definitive reason to completely remove the Microsoft Store, many users prefer a cleaner taskbar.
In fact, here are some common reason to remove Microsoft Store from taskbar in Windows 11:
- Declutter your workspace: Firstly, a less cluttered taskbar can improve focus and productivity.
- Prevent accidental clicks: secondly, removing the icon can help avoid unintentionally opening the Microsoft Store.
- Personal preference: Thirdly, some users simply prefer a minimalist look.
- Limited use: Lastly, if you rarely use the Microsoft Store, it might be unnecessary to have it on your taskbar.
Ultimately, however, the decision to remove the Microsoft Store icon is a matter of personal preference.
How to remove Microsoft Store from taskbar in Windows 11 ?
In this tutorial, we will show you how to remove the Microsoft Store from the taskbar in Windows 11.
This straightforward method will help you achieve a more organized and clutter-free taskbar, enhancing your overall user experience.
Method 1: Temporarily Hiding the Microsoft Store Icon
To begin with, this is the simplest and safest method:
- First, right-click on the Microsoft Store icon in your taskbar.
- Next, select Unpin from taskbar.
- As a result, this will remove the icon from your taskbar but won’t prevent the app from running in the background.
Also Check: How to disable On-Screen Weather in Windows 11 ?
Method 2: Preventing Automatic Startup
Alternatively, this method prevents the Microsoft Store from automatically starting when you log in:
- To start, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
- Then, switch to the Startup tab.
- Finally, locate the Microsoft Store app. If listed, select it and click Disable.
Method 3: Using PowerShell (Advanced and Potentially Risky)
Warning: Modifying system files can lead to system instability. Therefore, create a system restore point before proceeding.
- First, press Windows+X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Then, paste the following command and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage
Note: This method removes the Microsoft Store entirely from your system.
Method 4: Modifying the Registry (Advanced and Potentially Risky)
Warning: Incorrect registry modifications can cause system instability.
- To begin, press Windows+R, type “regedit”, and press Enter.
- Next, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel.
- Then, create a new DWORD value named “AllowAllTrustedApps”.
- Lastly, set its value to “0”.
Method 5: Using Group Policy Objects (GPO) (Domain Environments Only)
- First, open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).
- Next, create a new GPO or edit an existing one.
- Then, navigate to “Computer Configuration” -> “Administrative Templates” -> “Windows Components” -> “Store”.
- Finally, enable the “Turn off the Store application” policy.
Method 6: Modifying Group Policy (Not Available on Home Editions)
This method is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions:
- To start, press Windows+R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Then, navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Store.
- Next, double-click on Turn off the Store application.
- Finally, select Enabled and click Apply.
Also Check: How to move taskbar to left in Windows 11 ?
How to remove the Microsoft Store from the taskbar Using Intune ?
In this section, we will walk you through the process of using Microsoft Intune to remove the Microsoft Store from the taskbar on Windows 11 devices.
By following these steps, you can streamline your taskbar and enhance user productivity across your organization.
- First, log in to the Intune admin center.
- Next, navigate to Devices > Configuration profiles.
- Then, click Create profile.
- After that, select Windows 10/11 as the platform and Settings catalog as the profile type.
- Subsequently, give the profile a name and description.
- Now, click Add settings.
- Next, search for “Do not allow pinning Store app to the Taskbar (User)”.
- Then, select the setting and configure it as desired (enabled, disabled, or not configured).
- Finally, assign the profile to the desired user or device groups.
Additional Considerations
While not directly removing the icon, these methods can be explored for further control:
- App Protection Policies: Firstly, consider using App Protection Policies to restrict access to the Microsoft Store app itself.
- PowerShell Scripts: Secondly, you can deploy PowerShell scripts to unpin the Microsoft Store from the taskbar, but this requires additional management and testing.
- Proactive Remediation: Lastly, use Intune’s Proactive Remediation to execute PowerShell scripts and manage remediation tasks.
Also Check: How to use dark mode in Windows 11 ?
Conclusion
Removing the Microsoft Store icon from your Windows 11 taskbar is a simple way to personalize your workspace and streamline your digital environment.
Throughout this guide, we’ve explored various methods, from the straightforward right-click and unpin option to more advanced techniques using PowerShell or Group Policy.
Remember, the best method for you depends on your specific needs and technical comfort level. While removing the icon can declutter your taskbar, it’s important to note that the Microsoft Store itself remains a valuable resource for finding and installing apps securely.
Furthermore, if you’re managing multiple devices in an organization, tools like Microsoft Intune offer powerful options for customizing the taskbar across your network.
Ultimately, the choice to remove the Microsoft Store icon is about making your Windows 11 experience work best for you.
Source: [ answers.microsoft, elevenforum, scloud.work, prajwaldesai, makeuseof ]
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
Right-click on the Microsoft Store icon in your taskbar, then select “Unpin from taskbar”. This will instantly remove the icon without affecting the app itself.
To remove the Microsoft Store icon from your Windows 11 taskbar, simply right-click on the icon and select “Unpin from taskbar”. This will instantly declutter your taskbar without affecting the Microsoft Store app itself.
Unfortunately, you cannot completely uninstall the Microsoft Store app on Windows 11. It’s a core component of the operating system. However, you can effectively remove its icon from the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting “Unpin from taskbar.”
