Disable the Windows Store in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1


Recommended Posts

Thanks. I was thinking the same, but was wondering why he didn't specifically limit the scope of his warning to exclude the official deactivation method.

 

Dunno. I'll chalk it up to being a little lax on a forum, no big deal. 

Using group policy to disable the store will hurt the system? If so, why is this option included in the OS?

 

I was mainly referring to the part about disabling random services. Hiding the store icon using group policy on your own machine is just silliness. Just unpin it if you really don't want to try any of the great apps on offer. The point of group policy is to allow IT admins to force settings on users on their domains. There's no reason to force something on yourself, just do it the normal way!

 

Also, if you completely disable the store, how will you install OS updates like 8.1?

  • Like 2

I was mainly referring to the part about disabling random services. Hiding the store icon using group policy on your own machine is just silliness. Just unpin it if you really don't want to try any of the great apps on offer. The point of group policy is to allow IT admins to force settings on users on their domains. There's no reason to force something on yourself, just do it the normal way!

 

Also, if you completely disable the store, how will you install OS updates like 8.1?

Whether or not one should use group policy is up to them. I just wanted to be sure that there wasn't something wrong with this option.

 

That is a valid question. If I were to disable the store via Group Policy how would the update be pushed? Or even more directly, how is an update like this pushed out in the enterprise setting? Surely, the individual employees wouldn't be using personal Microsoft accounts to request an update for their work issued machine...

I remember the old days when some netscape zealots came up with a way to completely strip ie out of windows 98 or 95, can't remember which version.

 

I wonder if it would be possible to do something similar to windows 8.x, strip out all of the offending metro junk before the os is even installed or run a program to rip all the junk out directly after the install, it would definitely make for a much less user-hostile experience with windows 8.x and might free up some resources in the process.

 

Edit: Ahh here it is http://www.litepc.com/98lite.html

 

Whether or not one should use group policy is up to them. I just wanted to be sure that there wasn't something wrong with this option.

 

That is a valid question. If I were to disable the store via Group Policy how would the update be pushed? Or even more directly, how is an update like this pushed out in the enterprise setting? Surely, the individual employees wouldn't be using personal Microsoft accounts to request an update for their work issued machine...

 

For 8 to 8.1 it's a new OS, so the usual OS upgrade tools, same way they went from 7 to 8. For the upcoming 8.1 Update 1, it's essentially a roll up hotfix, so WSUS.

those like me who don't need it? I have no need for it. I'm just a simple consumer user

Chrisj1968, you certainly do not want to disable the Task Scheduler. I did not know about Task Scheduler's dependency on System Events Broker at the time of writing this topic . . . My apologies to anyone who decided to disable the service based on my original post.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/07/15/why-you-shouldn-t-disable-the-task-scheduler-service-in-windows-7-and-windows-8.aspx

If you have not already done so, please do not disable System Events Broker. If you have disabled the service based on my original post, you can enable it by setting the value of the Start key located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SystemEventsBroker to 3.

those like me who don't need it? I have no need for it. I'm just a simple consumer user

 

 It's the scheduler for the entire operating system, you absolutely need it.  

 

If you want to use a car analogy, it's like randomly removing belts from your car because you only use the car for commuting.

Chrisj1968, you certainly do not want to disable the Task Scheduler. I did not know about Task Scheduler's dependency on System Events Broker at the time of writing this topic . . . My apologies to anyone who decided to disable the service based on my original post.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/07/15/why-you-shouldn-t-disable-the-task-scheduler-service-in-windows-7-and-windows-8.aspx

If you have not already done so, please do not disable System Events Broker. If you have disabled the service based on my original post, you can enable it by setting the value of the Start key located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SystemEventsBroker to 3.

 

Shouldn't that be 2?

  • 2 weeks later...

The default is 3.

 

Actually, it's 2. It don't think it makes a difference since the task scheduler is going to force start the service if it's manual or delayed start.

Actually, it's 2. It don't think it makes a difference since the task scheduler is going to force start the service if it's manual or delayed start.

Where are you getting this information? A fresh Windows 8 installation has the Registry values for System Events Broker and Time Broker set to 3. The Services snap-in lists the default setting for System Events Broker and Time Broker as Manual (Trigger Start).

Where are you getting this information? A fresh Windows 8 installation has the Registry values for System Events Broker and Time Broker set to 3. The Services snap-in lists the default setting for System Events Broker and Time Broker as Manual (Trigger Start).

 

I checked two installs, one is automatic the other is manual trigger. I guess something changes it as needed (Office, most likely)

 

It doesn't matter, they are dependent services, they will always start unless disabled, there's no point wasting time on it.

  • 9 months later...
  • 4 months later...

For everyone reading, I have a warning

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you disable System Events Broker!!

It is NOT just part of the store, but as It turns out a core part of windows. Disabling it has resulted in ALL driver installations failing (from "invalid data"), ALL networked computers becoming inaccessible, as well as completely breaking Task Scheduler. Those are only the issues I've found so far, there's bound to be more stuff going on in the background that has been broken

I'm also finding that it is practically impossible to re-enable System Events Broker, even after changing the registry key back to default it still refuses to start. I've spent the last day an a half trying to fix this. I also strongly suggest removing the suggestion of disabling it from the OP.

This was on windows 8.1 64 bit. If anyone disabled their system events broker, and was able to fix it, please let me know how.

Seems to me this is way too much work for something that is easily ignored and never opened 

 

 

I see no valid reason to ever need to go through all this effort, corporate environments already have the needed tools to bypass the Store, so again pointless and likely prone to end up breaking more that doing any real good 

so many posts in this thread saying that you shouldnt do this, that it shouldnt matter, that it doesnt take any resources. i dont understand why people who dont want to do it and will not do it would be posting in this thread. its like everyone has to share their opinion no matter how pointless it is. kind of like an athiest wandering into a church, standing in front of everyone, and yelling about how bad the people there are and how great he is.

  • 5 months later...

Can you please tell me how to undo this. No matter what i change the registry values to, it will not let me enable windows store again. I even imported the original values but nothing is working including all of the apps.

Refresh your PC from settings.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • They aren't going to want to. Most would just go with the 17 Pro and save money. Why would they want to spend $300 for basically the same thing? It's not worth it if there are hardly any changes from year to year.
    • 24H2 rolled out to the Release Preview Channel in early June 2024, so this coming a bit later in the Experimental Channel (formerly Dev) doesn't really say much more than earlier H2 releases that came out in October. I am not sure what the thinking is here by putting it in Experimental, one would think that the 26H2 stamp means features are locked down and it's now bug tested until October? I don't even pretend to understand Microsoft's strategy for Windows Insider Program though
    • Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 with active noise cancellation drop to lowest price ever by Fiza Ali With Prime Day 2026 scheduled to run from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 June, Amazon has already begun rolling out early access offers ahead of the main event. Particularly, Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds have dropped to their lowest price ever with limited Prime deal offering 33% and 24% discounts, respectively. Nothing Ear (a) are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers featuring a PM1 + TPU diaphragm. For noise control, the earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 45dB across frequencies reaching 5,000Hz. The smart ANC algorithm adapts to surrounding noise levels, while a Transparency Mode allows users to remain aware of their environment when needed. Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.3, with support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC audio codecs. Additional features include IP54-rated earbuds for dust and splash resistance, paired with an IPX2-rated charging case. Furthermore, users also benefit from pinch controls, in-ear detection, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, dual-device connectivity, and a low-latency mode designed for gaming and video playback. The Nothing X app unlocks a range of customisation options, including a personalised equaliser, bass enhancement, control remapping, ear tip fit testing, firmware updates, dual-device management, a Find My Earbuds feature, and low-latency mode settings. When it comes to the battery, the earbuds house a 46mAh lithium-ion battery, while the charging case contains a 500mAh cell. With ANC disabled, users can expect up to 9.5 hours of playback from the earbuds and up to 42.5 hours in total with the charging case. With ANC enabled, battery life is rated at up to 5.5 hours per charge and up to 24.5 hours combined with the case. Finally, fast charging is also supported that should provide up to 10 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge with ANC turned off. Nothing Ear (a) Wireless Earbuds (Black): $53.20 (Amazon US) - 33% The CMF Buds Pro 2 feature a dual-driver audio system consisting of an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm micro-planar tweeter. The earbuds use PU (polyurethane) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) titanium-coated diaphragms and are tuned by Nothing to deliver balanced audio performance. They further support active noise cancellation of up to 50dB across a frequency range of up to 5,000Hz, and noise control features include a Smart ANC algorithm, Adaptive ANC, Transparency Mode, and Clear Voice Technology 2.0. For calls, the CMF Buds Pro 2 use a total of six microphones and feature an environmental noise-cancelling algorithm, Clear Voice Technology 3.0, and Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 that should improve voice clarity during conversations. Furthermore, when it comes to the connectivity, it is provided through Bluetooth 5.4. Additional features include an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, in-ear detection, a low-latency mode, and a Find My Earbuds function. Moreover, through the Nothing X app for Android and iOS, users can access custom EQ settings, a bass enhancement algorithm, customisable controls, Find My Earbuds, low-latency mode, dual-device connectivity, an ear tip fit test, and firmware updates. The earbuds contain a 60mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the charging case houses a 460mAh battery. A full charge of the earbuds and case via USB-C should take approximately 85 minutes, while the earbuds alone should be fully recharged in the case in around 60 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 43 hours with the charging case when ANC is turned off. With ANC enabled, playback time is reduced to up to 6.5 hours on the earbuds and up to 26 hours with the charging case. Talk time is rated at up to 6 hours on the earbuds and 25 hours with the case with ANC disabled, or up to 4.8 hours and 18.6 hours, respectively, with ANC enabled. CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (Dark Grey): $37.05 (Amazon US) - 24% Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • The entire world moved to the vastly superior and now universally supported Dolby Atmos technology a very long time ago, mate.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      544
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      187
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      77
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      75
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!