How to Uninstall PC App Store on Windows 11

To uninstall PC App Store on Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for PC App Store, select the three dots (…) next to it, and choose Uninstall. Follow the prompts, then restart your PC.

PC App Store is a third-party program, not part of Windows. It often arrives bundled with other free downloads, which is why many people find it on their PC without remembering installing it. It isn’t the same as the Microsoft Store, which is built into Windows and safe to keep.

Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.

Uninstall it in Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Apps, then Installed apps.
3. Type PC App Store in the search box. If the name is slightly different on your PC, look for recently installed apps you don’t recognize.
4. Select the three dots (…) next to it and choose Uninstall, then Uninstall again.
5. Complete the uninstaller’s steps. If it asks why you’re leaving or offers to keep something, choose the option that removes everything.
6. Restart the PC.

You can also uninstall it from Control Panel: select Start, type control panel, open it, and select Programs > Uninstall a program. Select PC App Store and then Uninstall.

If it says the app is running

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. On the Processes page, find anything named PC App Store, select it, and select End task.
3. Try the uninstall again.

If it keeps starting again, turn it off in Settings > Apps > Startup, restart, and then uninstall.

Remove leftovers

Bundled programs sometimes leave other pieces behind. After you restart, check these:

• Other apps: in Installed apps, set Sort by to Install date and remove anything installed at the same time that you don’t want.
• Startup apps: go to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn off anything you don’t recognize.
• Start menu: if a PC App Store shortcut is still there, right-click it and select Uninstall or Unpin from Start.
• Browser: check your browser’s extensions and your search engine and home page settings. Remove extensions you didn’t add, and reset the search engine to the one you want.

Scan your PC

1. Select Start, type Windows Security, and open it.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
3. Choose Full scan and select Scan now. If it finds anything, follow its steps to remove it.

If the app still comes back, choose Microsoft Defender Offline scan in Scan options instead. It restarts your PC and scans before Windows fully starts, which catches programs that protect themselves while Windows is running.

Block unwanted apps in future

Windows Security can block programs like this before they install. Microsoft has turned this on by default since 2021, but it’s worth checking:

1. Open Windows Security and select App & browser control.
2. Select Reputation-based protection settings.
3. Make sure Potentially unwanted app blocking is on, with both Block apps and Block downloads checked.

When you install free software, download it only from the maker’s own website or the Microsoft Store, choose Custom or Advanced install if offered, and uncheck any extra programs.

If it still won’t uninstall

• Try in Safe Mode. Programs that start with Windows often uninstall cleanly in Safe Mode. See how to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11.
• Use System Restore to go back to before it was installed, if you have a restore point from that time. See how to restore Windows 11 to a previous date.
• Avoid “uninstaller” and “cleaner” tools from search ads. Some bundle more unwanted software.

Frequently asked questions

Is PC App Store a virus?

Security companies generally treat it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) rather than a virus. It isn’t designed to damage your PC, but it can install other apps, show ads, or change browser settings, so most people are better off removing it.

Will removing it delete apps I installed through it?

No. Apps you installed with it stay installed. Check Installed apps and remove any you don’t want or don’t recognize.

Is it safe to remove the Microsoft Store?

Don’t remove the Microsoft Store. It’s part of Windows and is used to update built-in apps. To remove other programs, see how to uninstall a program in Windows 11.

Microsoft explains this protection in Potentially unwanted apps are blocked by default. More help is on our Windows 11 Help & Guides page.

Matt Jacobs

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.