[Tip] Disable or Remove “Mixed Reality Portal” App in Windows 10

We told you earlier that new versions of Windows 10 come with a new feature called “Mixed Reality” which is also known as “Windows Holographic“. This feature provides virtual reality and 3D experience to Windows 10 users.

If you don’t want to use this feature or if your Windows 10 device doesn’t meet the minimum hardware requirements to run Mixed Reality, you can uninstall it with the help of following tutorial:

[Tip] How to Uninstall Mixed Reality Portal in Windows 10

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Using above mentioned tutorial, you can uninstall Mixed Reality functionality from your Windows 10 computer but it doesn’t remove the “Mixed Reality Portal” app from your computer. The app is kept by Windows 10 so that you can reinstall Mixed Reality feature in future by just running this app. Mixed Reality Portal app can reinstall Mixed Reality feature upon first run.

If you have uninstalled Mixed Reality feature from Windows 10, another person can mistakenly reinstall the feature by accidentally running the Mixed Reality Portal app from Start Menu.

Today in this tutorial, we are going to share an easy way to disable or remove Mixed Reality Portal app in Windows 10. After following this tutorial, nothing will happen if someone tries to launch Mixed Reality Portal app from Start Menu. We’ll restrict the app from executing in Windows 10.

Mixed Reality Portal app can’t be uninstalled using PowerShell method as the app is protected by Windows 10. So we’ll take help of renaming its folder method which we used long time back in removing Cortana search, Microsoft Edge, Contact Support and Feedback apps in Windows 10:

[Windows 10 Tip] Remove Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Contact Support and Feedback Apps

Once we rename the folder containing Mixed Reality Portal executable (MixedRealityPortal.exe) file, it’ll stop running and no one will be able to launch it from its shortcut. It’ll never take any system resources and will never run in background.

If you also want to disable or restrict Mixed Reality Portal app in Windows 10 operating system, following steps will help you:

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1. First of all open following folder:

C:\Windows\SystemApps

You can open the folder directly using SystemApps command in RUN dialog box.

2. Now look for following folder:

Microsoft.Windows.HolographicFirstRun_cw5n1h2txyewy

3. Right-click on the folder and select Rename option. Alternatively, you can select the folder and press F2 key to rename it.

While renaming the folder don’t remove its name completely. Just add new characters such as BAK or ! or any desired character in the beginning of the name. For example, we have added BAK_ in the beginning of the folder name to change its name.

Disable_Mixed_Reality_Portal_Holographic_Windows_10.png

Windows will show you a dialog box showing “You’ll need to provide administrator permission to rename this folder” message, click on Continue button.

You may also get another UAC (User Account Control) dialog box showing “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” message, click on Yes button.

That’s it. Now try to run Mixed Reality Portal app from Start Menu, nothing will happen. You have successfully disabled Mixed Reality Portal app in Windows 10.

NOTE: If you face any difficulty in renaming the folder, take ownership of the folder first and then rename it. You can take the ownership as described in following tutorials:

[Tip] Add “Take Ownership” Option in Files / Folders Context Menu in Windows

[Guide] How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder Manually in Windows

PS: In future, if you want to re-enable the app, just restore the original name of its folder.

Also Check:

[Windows 10 Tip] Disable Hardware Requirement Checks in Mixed Reality Portal

[Tip] Disable or Remove “Windows Defender Security Center” App in Windows 10

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. This doesn’t work for me. Leaves a long item under app. in Task Manager even after reboot.

  2. This work around does not work any more.

    It seems Windows just replaces the whole file.

  3. Is there any way to remove the “Mixed Reality Portal” Start menu shortcut?

  4. This still works as of 08-01-17. I do the same for the Cortana folder to prevent it from running at all.

  5. waste of time because it doesn’t work
    I’m uninstalling windows 10 now
    because I’m sick and tired of Microsoft mentality to shovel down my throat useless
    windows 10 features I don’t care about without have the option to uninstall em without break the OS by playing with the regedit this is unacceptable at any levels
    Windows 7 is Forever and is all microsoft fault..!!!

  6. This did not work.

    It’s really stupid that MS leaves the shortcuts to Mixed Reality in the Start Menu even though it has determined that my PC is not equipped to use it. It has removed Mixed Reality from the Settings but leaves the shortcuts cluttering the Start. Makes no sense.

  7. it workt for an hr ! i had to reinstall my computer dor some reason uppdated bios and all now i cant get back ” were updating some things for you ” yeah right get struck on 78 % and thats it cant get by it i using asus VR tryed to uninstall it reboot and the same changed ports nothing happens just the same need support.

  8. Why would I remove something I use?

    I have a Mixed Reality head set, deleting the app is the same as saying. Find another program to launch the headset. Unfortunately there is no other drop in replacement app for it, unless you can refer me to some working open source project. I would drop it in a heartbeat if that were the case.

  9. You can disable this in Group Policy by setting up a Software Restriction Policy.

    Computer Configuration>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Software Restriction Polices>Additional Rules

    Right click on the Additional Rules folder and select New Path Rule

    Enter this path %programfiles%\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal*

    Select Disallowed for Security Level

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