Forum Discussion
Locking down the Microsoft Store
Hi Tech Community,
I am currently trying to find a way to lock down the Microsoft Store on our enterprise devices running Windows 10.
I am aware that we can redirect our users to use a curated business store, but there is no stop for a user to log onto a personal account and using the store to download and install any other application.
Any insights are greatly appreciated,
Thanks in advance!!
- Hi,
I created a blog about managing the store with applocker/intune, some time ago. Maybe this is what you are looking for?
https://call4cloud.nl/2020/06/managing-apps-in-the-microsoft-store/ You can either disable the Microsoft Store completely, or use the Windows Store for Business only. If you want to do the later, first make sure you configured the Business Store to your liking and then disable the public store either with GPO or Intune:
GPO:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store > Only Display The Private Store within the Microsoft Store
Intune:
https://docs.microsoft.com/de-de/archive/blogs/beanexpert/block-windows-10-public-store-using-microsoft-intune-but-still-allow-the-business-storedretzer Thanks for the sharing knowledge ,Its not working on Windows 10 Pro.
can you help to provide for win10 Pro.
- It's a complete mess, the only way we found to lock the store down was using AppLocker.
You can add all the default Windows apps to a policy really easily if you install GPMC onto one of your endpoint devices and edit the policy from that.
The user experience isn't ideal - you just get an error message if you try and install a non-approved app, but it works and stops apps you haven't approved from being installed. I'm using this on Win11 but it'll work on Win10 too.
Make sure you have a policy entry to allow administrators to run any application.- Applocker is indeed the way to go... there are more options to block/prevent/remove it... but... that's not my cup of tea... Applocker it is!
https://call4cloud.nl/2020/06/managing-apps-in-the-microsoft-store/#part2Rudy_Ooms_MVP Blocking the store completely isn't an option due to the amount of Windows functionality that would never update if you did, and some manufacturers are delivering drivers and support software through the store, e.g. it seems to be the only way to get the Waves MaxxAudio driver. No Store = no audio functionality on your machine 😞
It's a shame Microsoft have made such a mess of being able to manage it, this stuff has been possible on other platforms for a very long time, and was possible on Windows until fairly recently. It's bizarre that any product manager would think the current situation is acceptable for a release product used in business (i.e Windows Pro/Enterprise).
- How do I get the information for the App Rule? Ive followed the article listed from call4cloud.nl and it works only for MS apps. I want to include Apple apps but not sure where to get the configuration info from for the XML file
I understand it is an old topic, but here's is an updated information on the query:
The best way is to use a Settings Catalog policy "Turn off store application". It still allows you to Install Store Apps from the Company Portal App. Refer to this blog post, for more detailed information about this subject: https://cloudinfra.net/how-to-disable-microsoft-store-in-windows-using-intune/
