How to remove core Windows 'modern' apps using Powershell

[isladogs]

The Windows Mail app has always seemed flaky to me but today I had a new problem with it on a Windows tablet (Win 10 version 1709)
The live tile worked and showed that new mail was being received.
However, opening the app just created a blank blue screen with a blank taskbar icon.
After a few seconds the app then closed by itself.
Rebooting didn't fix the issue which also affected the calendar part of the app.

As others may know from experience, core Windows apps such as Mail cannot easily be uninstalled & reinstalled or indeed repaired.
So I contacted MS for an online remote support session & now have the Mail app back.
To my amazement, I was first in the queue & it was completely resolved in around 15 minutes!

The MS tech offered to provide the instructions for the removal of Windows apps together with reinstall instructions which I was happy to accept.
With his permission. I have attached these here for others to use

To remove any of the app(s), open Powershell as an administrator
Why it has to be so difficult is another issue entirely!

To reinstall an app, go to the Windows store ... or use Powershell again

I hope this is useful to others

 

[jdraw]

Re: How to remove Windows 'modern' apps

Colin,

When you establish direct contact with M$oft and get a complete answer in 15 minutes, it might be time to buy a lottery ticket. But maybe you wouldn't be so lucky as to get two winning numbers in one day.
Thanks for the info.

 

[isladogs]

Re: How to remove Windows 'modern' apps

Hi Jack
It felt (briefly) as though I was Microsoft's MVC (most valued customer)
Nice whilst it lasted!

If they also fix my issue with Win1803 & IE in the near future, I really will buy a lottery ticket - if so it will be the first time in 20 years.
Roughly when MS last made me feel 'blessed'

UPDATE 21/06/2018 - MS have also fixed the IE issue. Where can I get a lottery ticket?