Disable inbox UWP apps auto updates

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by vali20, Dec 14, 2021.

  1. vali20

    vali20 MDL Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    Hi

    Does anyone know how I can stop Windows 11 from automatically updating the in-built UWP apps. Specifically, every couple of days I have to uninstall Paint, and reinstall the version without the Windows 11 UI manually. I have tried all the methods I know of:

    * Disabling automatic updates in Microsoft Store. Ignored.
    * Disabling Microsoft Store via group policy. Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store - Turn off automatic download and install of updates - Enabled. Ignored.

    What else out there could I try? This is stupid, by the way, I don't understand why inbox apps are exempt from those policies.

    Thank you very much.
     
  2. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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  3. vali20

    vali20 MDL Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    This: "Disabling automatic updates in Microsoft Store. Ignored." means that. Already did that. It's ignored.
     
  4. Stripakulina

    Stripakulina MDL Member

    Jul 19, 2009
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    #4 Stripakulina, Dec 15, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2021
    Disable inbox UWP apps auto updates

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore]
    "AutoDownload"=dword:00000000

    Reboot is not required.

    N.B. If you ever change your mind and wanted to enable UWP apps automatic updates again, changing dword 00000000 to 00000001 won't work. You need to delete "WindowsStore" in Registry totally.

    P.S. If you like classic MS Paint there is a solution, and you can choke on new one that you dislike.
     
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  5. vali20

    vali20 MDL Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    @Stripakulina Thanks. I tried that, but unfortunately it is still not working. I uninstall Paint from Start, use PowerShell to install the appx for the pre-Windows 11 version, reboot the system and wait a bit and the new version is magically reinstalled. It's driving me nuts. I just want it gone. I am fine with the old version. I'd use the Classic Paint available on sites like Winaero, but I have 2 issues with that:
    * It has the Windows 7-era icon
    * It doesn't have an entry in the context menu of images to "Edit" the file, which I find quite useful
    Paint used to be a built-in app as well, offered as an optional feature via the Settings app, that seems to be gone too. Is there a way to slipstream that back in 11 from a 10 ISO or something like that?
     
  6. Stripakulina

    Stripakulina MDL Member

    Jul 19, 2009
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    #6 Stripakulina, Dec 26, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2021
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  7. geepnozeex

    geepnozeex MDL Junior Member

    Oct 21, 2014
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    maybe - disable UWP Background activity
    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy]
    "LetAppsRunInBackground"=dword:00000002
    
     
  8. vali20

    vali20 MDL Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    Not working. It's incredibly stupid. It gets reinstalled straight on every restart. I have resorted to registering a scheduled task that removes the new appx and reinstalls the old one. Stupid, but it works. This OS is cancer.
     
  9. geepnozeex

    geepnozeex MDL Junior Member

    Oct 21, 2014
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    like this command?
    Code:
    Powershell "Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online|? PackageName -Match 'Paint'|Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -AllUsers"
     
  10. vali20

    vali20 MDL Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    No, I used this:

    Remove-AppxPackage -Package Microsoft.Paint_11.2110.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

    I will use that then and see if it helps.

    EDIT: THANK YOU. Finally, now it sticks. Addresses the problem at the root, basically. Probably the damn thing detects the installed Paint is different from the provisioned one and restores that. This is great, finally the proper solution. Thanks