Why is windows not removing the apps when I uninstall them

vsub · Dec 26, 2024

I uninstall them but I can still see them in "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" taking space
For example I have no use at all for the Power Automate and that program is taking over 1gb of space
I also removed some other apps long time ago and just notest that they are still there

abactuon · Dec 26, 2024

Really 1Gb ?

vsub · Dec 26, 2024

wiganken · Dec 26, 2024

It could be mis-reporting due to some corruption. Try running the batch file to fix corruption. You'll need to unzip it first.
The file runs sfc /scannow, DISM and chkdsk commands in sequence and it takes 10 minutes on my PC so be patient. Good luck.

It is an easy first step in discovering the culprit.

MitchInHome · Dec 26, 2024

In the future use Revo Uninstaller it's free, does a great job

Revo Uninstaller Free

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces

www.revouninstaller.com

vsub · Dec 26, 2024

If you don't run the program that checks the folder size as admin,it will be reported as empty(0 bytes used)

wiganken said:
It could be mis-reporting due to some corruption. Try running the batch file to fix corruption. You'll need to unzip it first.
The file runs sfc /scannow, DISM and chkdsk commands in sequence and it takes 10 minutes on my PC so be patient. Good luck.

It is an easy first step in discovering the culprit.

No problems found

wiganken · Dec 26, 2024

Modifying the registry can be dangerous but if you are confident in doing this then you can search it for the term Microsoft PowerAutomate and delete any references found.
Know that changes you make happen in real time so if you make a mistake you need to be able to restore the registry so make an image beforehand or backup the registry before editing.

vsub · Dec 26, 2024

I install it again and RevoUninstaller did not find it
In the end I use this command and that remove it
get-appxpackage -allusers Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop | remove-appxpackage -allusers

garlin · Dec 26, 2024

UWP (or "Store") apps are designed around the concept of user provisioning. The base software package is written to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" in one or more folders (some of them are just resources). For every user, Windows tries to provision or create an individual app profile.

When you use Remove-AppPackage, by default it only removes your AppData\Local profile but leaves the base package installed in WindowsApps. The reason is a PC may be shared by two or more users, and other users may still want to use that same app. Windows won't clean up the base package unless you force removal using the "-AllUsers" flag (which de-provisions the app from all user profiles). This is the normal behavior, and how UWP packages should be removed.

cheaterslick · Dec 28, 2024

garlin said:
UWP (or "Store") apps are designed around the concept of user provisioning. The base software package is written to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" in one or more folders (some of them are just resources). For every user, Windows tries to provision or create an individual app profile.

Wouldn't that take up useless, bloated space for Store apps that are no longer used?

I would think some kind of global cleanup would be required...

garlin said:
When you use Remove-AppPackage, by default it only removes your AppData\Local profile but leaves the base package installed in WindowsApps. The reason is a PC may be shared by two or more users, and other users may still want to use that same app.

If there's only one user and one user profile, then the whole thing needs to go. I could be wrong, but I believe many (if not most) computers out there are set up for only one user, anyway.

garlin said:
Windows won't clean up the base package unless you force removal using the "-AllUsers" flag (which de-provisions the app from all user profiles).

I tried to look up a tutorial on how to do that and couldn't find one, so how would you do that?

garlin said:
This is the normal behavior, and how UWP packages should be removed.

So if it happens to show up in Revo, it won't clean it all up? Not even for the user profile that's being logged into?

Interesting topic. Sorry for all the questions...

vsub · Dec 28, 2024

I have a feeling that the command remove-appxpackage just delete the folder but all traces of the app are left
LIke installing an app,run it for a while and then delete the folder without using the uninstaller

When I scan the registry and the C drive,there is A LOT of leftovers
If there is only one account AND that account is the admin one,I would expect the app will actually be removed

Once you install for of the apps,when you uninstall it,it feels like you are just removing the shortcut

garlin · Dec 28, 2024

@cheaterslick
This is how UWP apps are designed, they have features which mostly benefit workplace users. A work PC may be shared by more than one user (like a shift worker), or the same PC is re-issued to the next hire (and it's not wiped clean).

In these cases, IT doesn't want to re-install the app again. An individual user may chose not to use a specific app, or that app is denied to them by policy restrictions. For example, students are not allowed to use the Store App on a school PC but their teacher can. The Store App is provisioned for teachers but not students.

So the base package remains installed, until it's absolutely clear no one will be using the app, now or in the future. Remove-AppxPackage (by itself) only refers to removing your private app profile for the named app. MS doesn't really promote that "Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers" should be used, since they're trying to maximize app usage. Especially because Windows ships with so many default Apps, and they want you using them ("engagement").

I don't use Revo, so I can't comment on it. From reading user comments, it can remove any UWP package which doesn't have the non-removable flag set. PowerAutomation is an optional feature, so it should be removable.

Many frustrating Windows features exist because they're put in for workplaces, and not necessarily for a single home user.

cheaterslick · Dec 28, 2024

garlin said:
@cheaterslick
This is how UWP apps are designed, they have features which mostly benefit workplace users. A work PC may be shared by more than one user (like a shift worker), or the same PC is re-issued to the next hire (and it's not wiped clean).

In these cases, IT doesn't want to re-install the app again. An individual user may chose not to use a specific app, or that app is denied to them by policy restrictions. For example, students are not allowed to use the Store App on a school PC but their teacher can. The Store App is provisioned for teachers but not students.

Yup, I get all that, but it doesn't really apply to many home users, now does it?

That's why some kind of workaround needs to be applied. A form of junk cleanup. Like for example, nuking XBOX stuff, stuff that I don't need and don't use.

garlin said:
So the base package remains installed, until it's absolutely clear no one will be using the app, now or in the future. Remove-AppxPackage (by itself) only refers to removing your private app profile for the named app. MS doesn't really promote that "Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers" should be used, since they're trying to maximize app usage. Especially because Windows ships with so many default Apps, and they want you using them ("engagement").

Yeah, but I don't want to always do that. Most of the time, if it's a choice between a Store app or a 3rd party app, I'll usually pick the 3rd party app. I don't want MS to control all the apps I choose. That's not 100% the case but that would be how I would want it, if possible.

So "Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers" is applied as a admin command in cmd? That will get rid of them?

garlin said:
I don't use Revo, so I can't comment on it. From reading user comments, it can remove any UWP package which doesn't have the non-removable flag set. PowerAutomation is an optional feature, so it should be removable.

Many frustrating Windows features exist because they're put in for workplaces, and not necessarily for a single home user.

Some things are hidden from Revo. Hard to believe since it's a remarkable program and that's one of the first things I install in Windows when I have to re-image for some reason.

TairikuOkami · Dec 28, 2024

MS thinks that it is for user's convenience (time/bandwidth), steam does the same, in case you change your mind and want to reinstall.

idgat · Dec 28, 2024

vsub said:
I install it again and RevoUninstaller did not find it

Did you look under the Uninstaller tab or Windows Apps tab?

I sometimes have to resort to GeekUninstaller if Revo doesn't list it.

Scannerman · Dec 28, 2024

cheaterslick said:
Some things are hidden from Revo. Hard to believe since it's a remarkable program and that's one of the first things I install in Windows when I have to re-image for some reason.

Very rarely are things completely hidden from Revo. When they appear to be hidden you can use "hunter" mode. The only thing I've ever found completely hidden from Revo was malware that was embedded in the BIOS. I had to completely remove it from BIOS via reboot first and even then my client was not pleased with the fact that I reinstalled their OS after ward, but the malware was completely gone at that point and no personal data was lost. Whether or not it remained that way is unknown to me as it was a Lenovo laptop so one never really knows. Hit Man Pro also used to be pretty good in the day but you'll have to pay for it if it's still around.

idgat · Dec 28, 2024

Scannerman said:
Very rarely are things completely hidden from Revo.

Ditto. In cases where I've seen this, it mostly was down to the way a program was installed (user had changed Windows/software installation defaults). In those cases, GeekUninstaller has succeeded.

EDIT
However, Microsoft's insidious deviousness with some apps can be frustrating

brummyfan · Dec 28, 2024

I use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall, it can uninstall any hidden Apps if we select Hunter Mode.

cheaterslick · Dec 28, 2024

Scannerman said:
When they appear to be hidden you can use "hunter" mode.

Never really had to use that before, but that's good to know in case something like that happens again.

Thanks

~

So basically you have to open the app you want to remove.
Then open Revo, select the hunter mode and then drag and drop the floating icon on to the app window or app GUI that's open, correct?

And then what? Does the "hidden" app suddenly appear in Revo's main GUI so I can uninstall it like anything else that's not hidden?

Scannerman · Dec 29, 2024

cheaterslick said:
Never really had to use that before, but that's good to know in case something like that happens again.

Thanks

~

So basically you have to open the app you want to remove.
Then open Revo, select the hunter mode and then drag and drop the floating icon on to the app window or app GUI that's open, correct?

And then what? Does the "hidden" app suddenly appear in Revo's main GUI so I can uninstall it like anything else that's not hidden?

How to use Hunter Mode

HOW TO USE HUNTER MODE Hunter Mode is an innovative and flexible method of interactively selecting a program that you want to uninstall, disable from

www.revouninstaller.com

Why is windows not removing the apps when I uninstall them

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