Proper way for preventing Windows 10 1703 from automatically downloading apps?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by slackeritguy, Apr 10, 2017.

  1. slackeritguy

    slackeritguy MDL Member

    Jun 27, 2013
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    #1 slackeritguy, Apr 10, 2017
    What's the proper way for disabling automatic apps (candy crush, minecraft, etc) downloads on Windows 10 1703?

    Thanks fellas.
     
  2. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

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    #2 abbodi1406, Apr 11, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  3. slackeritguy

    slackeritguy MDL Member

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    #3 slackeritguy, Apr 11, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    (OP)
  4. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

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    #4 abbodi1406, Apr 11, 2017
    It doesn't exist by default
    you create/copy it to that path inside wim image, or manually after deploying wim image
     
  5. slackeritguy

    slackeritguy MDL Member

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    #5 slackeritguy, Apr 11, 2017 (OP)
    After deploying wim image? so this doesn't work on online installations?

    Pardon my ignorance on this topic mate, but this is the first time I've heard of this layoutmodifications.xml tweak.
     
  6. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

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    #6 abbodi1406, Apr 11, 2017
    No, it has to be present before creating user profile (before OOBE)
     
  7. Super Spartan

    Super Spartan MDL Expert

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    #7 Super Spartan, Apr 11, 2017
    I just disable the Windows Store app from running using Group Policy Editor and it never installs any apps automatically
     
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  8. slackeritguy

    slackeritguy MDL Member

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    #8 slackeritguy, Apr 11, 2017 (OP)
    I see.

    Really appreciate your help with this, thanks.

    Is that right? will definitely try this right now.
     
  9. mr01

    mr01 MDL Novice

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    #9 mr01, Apr 11, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2017
    From my own experience, every time I've reinstalled a fresh installation of Windows 10, I always chose to NOT connect online when given the option during the installation procedure. Once Windows 10 is finished installing, I would always click on the start menu and unpin every single app on the start menu. These pinned apps are usually the trash apps like candy crush that Windows would download automatically. Afterwards, when I connect online, my computer never downloads Candy Crush or any of the other trash apps.
     
  10. cengizhan

    cengizhan MDL Senior Member

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    #10 cengizhan, Apr 11, 2017
    can we use this file in $oem$ folder?
     
  11. freevista

    freevista MDL Member

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    #11 freevista, Apr 11, 2017
    Are you really sure about that Start Menu method? It might just download the apps still, but not pin them in Start. I like to plug the problem out of its roots: removing ContentDeliveryManager from SystemApps. It can be done to the OS image (install.wim) using MSMG ToolKit (and others). A quick and dirty way is to just rename C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy to something else and rebooting, after that Windows can't use it anymore. Sfc /scannow will restore it though, so removing it altogether is cleaner. ContentDeliveryManager isn't present in Server 2016, so I doubt it has any critical dependencies, except pushing "valuable" "content" to you. Microsoft should just rename it to ConsentlessContentDelivery :p
     
  12. RanCorX2

    RanCorX2 MDL Addicted

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    #12 RanCorX2, Apr 11, 2017
    i uninstall the store (but don't remove any packages) and disable the appx service.
     
  13. freevista

    freevista MDL Member

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    #13 freevista, Apr 11, 2017
    But this doesn't work anymore in Pro (starting from version 1607 if I'm right), you need to have Enterprise or Education.
     
  14. madmax2002

    madmax2002 MDL Novice

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    #14 madmax2002, Apr 11, 2017
    You can use the excellent privacy tool O&O ShutUp10 portable software
     
  15. slackeritguy

    slackeritguy MDL Member

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    #15 slackeritguy, Apr 11, 2017 (OP)
    Disabling Store via gpedit.msc worked for me. I wasn't planning on using it anyway lol.
     
  16. softfinds

    softfinds MDL Novice

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    #16 softfinds, Apr 11, 2017
    You can do so via Group Policy Editor
     
  17. frepsz

    frepsz MDL Junior Member

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    #17 frepsz, Apr 11, 2017
    Just install Education edition. You need it to be able to disable the lock screen without modifying system files anyway.
     
  18. mr01

    mr01 MDL Novice

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    #18 mr01, Apr 12, 2017
    Whenever I did this, I don't see Candy Crush or any other of the unwanted apps listed in my start menu. They are no where to be found in my installed program list (control panel, apps list, Store App, or even CCleaner).