Microsoft is no longer allowing administrators to block Windows 10 Pro users' access to the Windows Store.
Up until a month ago, admins could use Group Policy to shut off employees' access to Windows Store if they were running Windows 10 Pro. Controlling this access is a requirement for some businesses.
But last month, Microsoft changed that option, claiming that Store access was required for all versions of Windows 10 except Enterprsie and Education "by design."(Thanks to @SwitftonSecurity for the heads up.)
Admins still can use AppLocker or Group Policy to block access to the Windows Storeif their employees (or students) are running Enterprise or Education.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the change, noting that businesses who need to shut off Store access have no recourse other than Windows 10 Enterprise. The official statement:Microsoft is focused on helping enterprises manage their environment while giving people choice in the apps and devices they use to be productive across work and life. Windows 10 Enterprise is our offering that provides IT pros with the most granular control over company devices. Windows 10 Pro offers a subset of those capabilities and is recommended for small and mid-size businesses looking for some management controls, but not the full suite necessary for IT pros at larger enterprises.The ability to block access to the Windows Store is typically for organizations who want more control over corporate-owned devices. This fits into the value of Windows 10 Enterprise.
Microsoft no longer allows administrators to block Windows Store access in Windows 10 Pro | ZDNetNoteReference:How to Allow or Block Access to the Store App in Windows 10
I would think that's going to mean buying licenses for Enterprise or Education for some companies? Extra expense if PC's purchased came with Pro installed. It kind of negates the free upgrade offer too, if they need to block store access. Will the reg file option still work, I wonder?
I just tested in build 14332, and the group policy and .reg no longer has any affect on the Store.
I had a feeling they would block that from working, thanks for testing it out. I'm not running an insider build at the moment or I would have checked it myself.
Anytime. Yeah, I'm not sure it's a good idea to prevent being able to block the Store. A choice is always best.
I guess they want you to pay for the privilege? It won't be an option for your average consumer, they are pretty well limited to Home and Pro. Corporate customers will have to upgrade to Enterprise or Education to get that option. This won't go over very well, IMHO. On the plus side, if you BYOD and its running Home or Pro, the IT guy won't be able to lock you out of the Store. Not easily anyway.
I suppose one could just uninstall the Store for all accounts to effectively disable it instead.
Apps - Uninstall in Windows 10
Get-appxpackage -allusers *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackageWarningIf you uninstall the Store app, the only way to reinstall it is to do a repair install of Windows 10.
How to Do a Repair Install of Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade
For my take on this laughable and lamentable situation, please see No Blocking Store Access in Win10Pro over at TechTarget's IT Knowledge Exchange. Thanks, Shawn, for bringing this to my attention. I'm equally appalled and amused, as I'm sure many SMB Windows buyers and users will also be. IMO, they oughta put a sign up over the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center that reads "abandon all hope, ye who enter here." Dante would approve!
Oh that's dangerous. The ONLY way to reinstall is a repair install.I suppose one could just uninstall the Store for all accounts to effectively disable it instead.
Apps - Uninstall in Windows 10
Get-appxpackage -allusers *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Shawn I hope no one gets any dumb ideas when the read that
I already did that once during the TP. You know me!
So, the small business sector using the Pro version will have to pay for a Enterprise version or Education version ?
