How to get rid of random silent automatic app installation/updates?

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by fkstabizler, Nov 13, 2024.

  1. fkstabizler

    fkstabizler MDL Novice

    Oct 2, 2015
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    Hi,

    at some random point, Windows run a task to install Apps I don't want to. This include "Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting", "Microsoft Edge Update", Store Update...
    I really don't want to have Microsoft.Ink.Handwriting and everytime I uninstall in Powershell, it come back at some random day.

    When this happen, the eventviewer logs as Information that the source "WindowsUpdateClient" run the task "Windows Update-Agent" to download and install the App. (ID 44, 43, 19)

    I am not looking for a solution to kill Windows Update services like many tutorials are about. I only want full control for manual Store updates, manual Windows Updates ("quality updates") and no unwanted automatic installation of anything.

    Things I already tried:

    • Automatic Updates Disabled (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU\NoAutoUpdate 1) -> only for cumulative updates
    • Turn off Automatic Download and Install of updates (Store) (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore\AutoDownload 2) -> probably only myself added Store Apps
    • I checked the registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler with all sub keys (like the automatic installation of Outlook or Dev Home). They all do have the DWORD workCompleted 1 and also not install. But there is nothing about Microsoft Ink or Edge Update
    When I check the Task Scheduler around the time when the unwanted bloatinstallation begin, there is no task in "UpdateOrchestrator" that run at that time. Also starting the task manually doesn't install the Apps.

    For the Microsoft.Ink issue, I have also disabled Microsoft Ink Workspace in Policy and Onscreen keyboard. This is just a normal computer. Windows does not care and always reinstall the App.

    I really would like to understand which task is starting the WindowsUpdateClient and where is there information provided and stored what to check/update/install.
    Is there a registry for that? Is there a task that you can disable?

    I hope someone knows what I am talking about

    Regards
     
  2. David Retzloff

    David Retzloff MDL Novice

    Apr 30, 2023
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    Disable Content Delivery Manager

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager]
    "SilentInstalledAppsEnabled"=dword:00000000
     
  3. fkstabizler

    fkstabizler MDL Novice

    Oct 2, 2015
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    Unfortunately that is not the solution. Everything in there is already DWORD 0. (OemPreInstalledAppsEnabled, PreInstalledAppsEnabled, PreInstalledAppsEverEnabled, SilentInstalledAppsEnabled, SoftLandingEnabled, SystemPaneSuggestionsEnabled etc.)
    Windows still install Microsoft Ink App.
     
  4. whitestar_999

    whitestar_999 MDL Addicted

    Dec 9, 2011
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    Check in your privacy settings that you have disabled any "handwriting/text recognition feature".
     
  5. TairikuOkami

    TairikuOkami MDL Expert

    Mar 15, 2014
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    Have you also removed subscribed apps?
    Code:
    reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager\Subscriptions" /f
    reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager\SuggestedApps" /f
    I have never even uninstalled that app and it is not present and I have all windows/store updates enabled. So it is most likely related to some settings.
     
  6. fkstabizler

    fkstabizler MDL Novice

    Oct 2, 2015
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    I think I beaten Microsoft Ink App by replacing "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe" with an empty dummy file. For whatever reason, starting that exe, it just download Ink App wihtout user consent.

    All handwriting/text recognition are disabled. Also showing virtual keyboard when "no keyboard is attached" is set to Never. Nothing worked to get rid of it. To admit, the issue appear only on that system. Other computers of me don't have it. My personal guess that my USB switch for keyboard and mouse always make my PC "think" to make use of virtual keyboard. But even then, there is never a virtual keyboard displayed...

    @TairikuOkami
    There is no entry for that key, it is empty. SuggestedApps do not even exist.

    Well, these days the PC once again just updated the Microsoft Store App and pushed "Microsoft Edge Update" on the PC. :( It's frustrating to lose control over Windows, because Microsoft intruduced new tasks, keys somewhere...
     
  7. pm67310

    pm67310 MDL Guru

    Sep 6, 2011
    3,325
    2,506
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    Use this and reboot

    Create text file with this content and save as fix.reg ( enable file extension ) and apply fix.reg by double click and reboot

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
    "DisallowRun"=dword:00000001
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun]
    "1"="Smartscreen.exe"
    "2"="Tabtip.exe"
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\TabTip.exe]
    "Debugger"="blocked"
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\smartscreen.exe]
    "Debugger"="Blocked"
     
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