[new] - Install-wim-tweak.exe

Title: Demystifying install-wim-tweak.exe: The Surgeon’s Scalpel for Windows System Files

Do NOT Remove:

• Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost (breaks Start Menu)
• Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost (critical for UI)
• Microsoft.Windows.Cortana (if using Windows Search – removal breaks search bar)
• Microsoft.Windows.SecurityHealth (breaks Windows Security Center)
• Microsoft.Windows.Store (removing Store breaks many apps that rely on its licensing infrastructure, even if you never open the Store)

Further Resources

• MSFN Original Thread (archive link) – For historical context and author’s notes.
• GitHub Gist: "install-wim-tweak-commands" – Community-collected package names for Windows 10/11.
• Microsoft Docs: Component-Based Servicing – To understand what the tool actually modifies.

Package Unlocking: Changes package attributes from "Permanent" to "Removable." install-wim-tweak.exe

install_wim_tweak.exe /p /c [PackageName] /r: Unhides and then removes the selected package. Title: Demystifying install-wim-tweak

Use Case 3: Pre-deployment Golden Image Cleanup

Mount a Windows 10 WIM:

Step 3: Commit Changes & Unmount

dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"C:\mount" /Commit

More commonly used commands:

Open C:\appx-list.txt in Notepad. Look for packages like: Microsoft