How to completely remove Microsoft Paint 3D?
We are trying to remove Microsoft Paint 3D off Windows 10 Pro computers. these are not internet connected computers and they are not allowed to be connected to the internet. This is due to security vulnerabilities in the application. Paint 3D needs to be removed completely so that there are no files associated with it on the system. The files are normally located at the following location "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\. The application can be removed from internet connected system by either using the Add or Remove Programs GUI interface or via PowerShell script. However, neither method works for standalone systems. We have tried to take ownership of the files, give ourselves Full permission and still can't delete the application's files. It errors out on lack of permission even after doing the above. Any information on how to permanently remove the application and associated files would be welcome.
This pre-installed app can only be removed via a cmdlet:
- Press Start.Button
- Search for Windows PowerShell, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator.
- Type the following command to verify the app information and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint - Type the following command to uninstall Paint 3D from your computer and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint | Remove-AppxPackage
ASKER
While the solution recommended by Rindi didn't do what I needed done 100% (remove the Paint 3D files from the WindowsApps directory), I did try the Revo uninstaller and plan on using adding it to my arsenal of tools. While it left the files on my system it did find all registry entries for Paint 3D and removed them.
ASKER
Andrew Wright's solution to use the following PowerShell command; Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MSPaint | Remove-AppxPackage , also did not meet my requirements 100% (remove the Paint 3D files from the WindowsApps directory). I am still at a loss on a simple method to remove 100% of all traces of Paint 3D.
O&O app buster is my highly effective at removing windows apps including hidden apps. There are 3 levels of removal: this user, all users and entire machine. Deleting the apps for a single user or all users, still leaves the apps on the PC for newly added users.
See: https://www.oo-software.com/en/ooappbuster
See: https://www.oo-software.com/en/ooappbuster
ASKER
Fred Hakim's solution did not work for me. However, the app he recommended O&O is a good app that I can see being useful. Similar to Revo Uninstaller which was recommended by Rindi. My issue with both applications is that while they remove Paint 3D they leave the files for the App which are located in the WindowsApps folder (a hidden folder). The remaining files are flagged by my security scanner, Nessus by Tennable, as an open vulnerability.
in O%O, after selecting the apps to remove you need to select the "Entire Machine" option. The removal options (from my memory) are this user, all users, entire machine.
I believe the entire machine option will remove them from the hidden folder. At the very least, prevent the app from loading for a new user.
I believe the entire machine option will remove them from the hidden folder. At the very least, prevent the app from loading for a new user.
ASKER
Fred Hakim, I did select "entire machine" and that may prevent loading for a new user. However, when dealing with security requirements, that is not sufficient in my organization since the vulnerable file is still in the folder. While I can use brute force to remove it by taking ownership and giving myself full rights, it is too cumbersome for hundreds of machines.
Hi Jonathan,
You could also try CCLEANER free, once installed goto tools section and delete the app there.
FYI, if MS release an update to the current version of Windows that you are using there's a good chance that all the apps you have removed will come back again :(
If doing this on 'hundreds of machines' the above approach will not work.
At this point I would create a PS script to remove the app using my previsouly mentioned string then a simple remove directory to completely remove all evidence of that app.
If the PS that you create is placed in a GPO that checks to see if the app is installed (at time of start) you can always keep it off your machines.
Just my two cents worth.
Andrew
You could also try CCLEANER free, once installed goto tools section and delete the app there.
FYI, if MS release an update to the current version of Windows that you are using there's a good chance that all the apps you have removed will come back again :(
If doing this on 'hundreds of machines' the above approach will not work.
At this point I would create a PS script to remove the app using my previsouly mentioned string then a simple remove directory to completely remove all evidence of that app.
If the PS that you create is placed in a GPO that checks to see if the app is installed (at time of start) you can always keep it off your machines.
Just my two cents worth.
Andrew
@Andrew I agree, I think the script makes the most sense, especially for many PCs and to handle reappearances after Windows updates.
ASKER
I appreciate all the suggestions, but so far all have left some files behind, as I had stated in my original question; " Paint 3D needs to be removed completely so that there are no files associated with it on the system. The files are normally located at the following location "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\. The application can be removed from internet connected system by either using the Add or Remove Programs GUI interface or via PowerShell script. However, neither method works for standalone systems. We have tried to take ownership of the files, give ourselves Full permission and still can't delete the application's files. It errors out on lack of permission even after doing the above. " I can now add the the 3rd party applications that were suggested also leave files under the WindowsApps folder. We use Nessus by Tenable for security scanning and it alerts if it finds those files. What we are doing now is taking ownership of the Paint 3D folder and giving the Administrators Full rights. deleting the folder. For some reason a handful of files remain. We have to then take ownership on the remaining files, give ourselves full permission again and finish removing the files. I was hoping to find a less cumbersome method.
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https://portableapps.com/
https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/revo_uninstaller_portable
It is freeware so there shouldn't be any issues with licensing.