Windows 11 - Autopilot - remove Consumer Shortcuts

Question

Is there a configuration setting in Intune that would remove the shortcuts for Spotify,TikTok, WhatsApp, Disney+, etc that seem to appear on a fresh install of Windows 11?

I have successfully used Proactive Remediation to get rid of the Consumer version of Teams, and was able to successfully remove the Teams Chat icon using a configuration profile. Is there a configuration profile that will help remove the consumer shortcuts?

Answer 1

Success!!

I was able to get this working by customizing the JSON file and using a configuration profile. Directions can be found here:

[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/customize-start-menu-layout-windows-11

I was able to add and subtract apps to the Start menu. Here is the JSON I used which is the default minus the consumer apps:

{"pinnedList":[{"desktopAppLink":"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Microsoft Edge.lnk"},{"desktopAppLink":"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Word.lnk"},{"desktopAppLink":"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Excel.lnk"},{"desktopAppLink":"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\PowerPoint.lnk"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"windows.immersivecontrolpanel_cw5n1h2txyewy!microsoft.windows.immersivecontrolpanel"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.Todos_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.Paint_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"},{"packagedAppId":"Microsoft.ZuneVideo_8wekyb3d8bbwe!Microsoft.ZuneVideo"},{"desktopAppLink":"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\OneNote.lnk"},{"desktopAppLink":"%APPDATA%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\File Explorer.lnk"}]}

Answer 2

OK - I lied. While this removes the offending faux shortcuts, it also removes any customization that was done before and after. This is not the results I want. I just want the faux shortcuts removed and any customization done after that to be honored.