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Removing Windows 8.1 Modern Applications during your MDT / SCCM Task Sequence

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I have implemented this solution based on information provided in the following blogs - credit to these people for posting this information.

So I have moved on from my old process of corporate WIM image creation. I used to build up an image from a source ISO for a respective operating system using Hyper V, make my customisations, apply patches, then use MDT to do a sysprep and capture. I know, I know, there are probably numerous reasons why you shouldn't do this. Well no more after watching Johan's session from System Center Universe this year here 

The new process involves the more contemporary approach of doing a completely automated build and capture in one process with MDT performing any additional changes using scripts and additional steps. The session that Johan presented is in my view the best by far that I have seen.

One thing that wasn't covered was how to remove the built in Windows 8.1 Modern Applications. In my case (like many others) we are deploying Windows 8.1 and do not wish to have all of these applications available.

Here is a solution you can implement which will remove these apps as part of your MDT or Configuration Manager Task Sequence. My example will be in MDT 2013.

Firstly create a new powershell script from the this blog, you can amend the script as required so that it only removes the applications that you want. Alternatively I have copied the script syntax into a word document here RemoveModernApps - I'm not sure what copying and pasting is going to do to some of the code so if there's a problem just do a copy from the original blog (which is what I did).

Copy the script to your MDT server sources folder.

Create a new MDT application and give it an appropriate name such as Remove Windows 8.1 Modern Applications

http://damonjohns.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/removeapps1.jpg

Use the following powershell wrapper command - credit to Johan who posted the install wrapper argument here

powershell.exe -Command "set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force; cpi '%DEPLOYROOT%\Applications\Remove Windows 8.1 Modern Applications\RemoveWindows8Apps.ps1' -destination c:\ c:\RemoveWindows8Apps.ps1; ri c:\.ps1 -Force; set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted -Force"

Note you will need to adjust the path to your PowerShell script depending on how you setup the application in MDT.

http://damonjohns.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/removeapps3.jpg

Now just add an install application step in your existing MDT / Configuration Manager Task Sequence, its that easy.

http://damonjohns.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/removeapps2.jpg

If you implement a Suspend action in your MDT Task Sequence you can check that the apps have been removed.

http://damonjohns.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/removeapps4.jpg

http://damonjohns.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/removeapps5.jpg

Cheers

Damon