Many programs are pre-installed in Windows 10. Some of these applications are popular among users, while others are viewed as a nuisance. Unfortunately, the Microsoft Store app falls into the second group. Despite the fact that the Microsoft Store app has a wide range of applications, e-books, games, movies, and TV episodes that Windows 10 users may download for free or for a fee, many users find it highly irritating.
Unfortunately, the Microsoft Store app is being promoted in the same way that the U2 album was promoted by Apple. Microsoft has pinned the Store app to the taskbar of all devices, including PCs and tablets, in the same way, that iTunes pre-downloaded the whole U2 album. When corporations try to force their products down people's throats, they resent it. Apart from the overall annoyance aspect, the Store app has a significant negative impact on employee productivity due to the numerous distracting apps that can be downloaded with it.
This is why we've prepared a guide to show you how to remove the Microsoft Store icon from your Windows 10 taskbar.
It will help you go through the whole process step by step so that you can get rid of the annoying pinned Store app forever.
Removal of the Microsoft Store App Icon from Taskbar
Step 1: In order to remove any application, sign in as an administrator on your PC or tablet.
Step 2: A group policy needs to be set up for removal of Windows Store icon in Windows 10 i.e. user policy with the name ‘Do Not Allow Pinning Store App to the Taskbar’ to enabled in. To set up this policy you need to access ‘Local Group Policy Editor’.
To access the Local Group Policy Editor, follow the instructions given below:
- Click on Start Menu and type ‘Run’. A prompt will open.
- Type ‘gpedit.msc’ and select ‘Ok’.
Note: gpedit.msc is not available on Windows 10 Home Edition
Step 3: Next, click on ‘User Configuration’, present in the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, to expand it. You will see a folder with ‘Administrative Templates’ label. Click on it to further expand and find the folder named ‘Start Menu and Taskbar’.
Step 4: Double-click on ‘Start Menu and Taskbar’, you will see the policies in the right pane. Here, double-click on ‘Do Not Allow Pinning Store App to the Taskbar’ policy in order to edit it.
Step 5: A window will open with three options for the policy i.e. Not Configured, Enabled, and Disabled. Not configured is the default value. To remove the icon, select the radio button next to ‘Enabled’ option.
Step 6: Click on ‘Ok’ to close the window and exit the Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 7: Now, if your Store icon has not been removed after applying group policies then go to the taskbar. Right-click on the icon. A menu will open. Select ‘Unpin from taskbar’ option.
Bonus Step: Unpin Microsoft Store app icon from the Start Menu as well by clicking on the Start Menu. Right-click on the Microsoft Store icon and select ‘Unpin from Start’ option in the menu.
So, these were the steps that can help in the removal of the Windows Store icon. If you found this tutorial helpful then do let us know in the comments below.