Forcably purge windows apps from your system

Warning
This program modifies Windows and registry settings. Create a system restore point before use.
An automatic restore point is attempted by this program, but Windows limits 1 every 24 hours.

Disclaimer
AppExorcist is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk. The devs are not liable for any damages or potential data loss caused by this program.

Download

System Requirements

• Supported OS: Windows 8, 10, 11 (64-bit only)

Features

• App Removal: Removes apps and associated remnants, though not 100% of registry keys/files due to naming variations, Windows Updates, etc.
• Database Management: Automatically updates app list database on startup. Manual update:
  • Download: apps.json
  • Place apps.json in: C:\ProgramData\ShadowWhisperer\Apps\database_new.json
• Remnants Scan: Searches for leftover app files/keys based on Source/apps.json. Takes a long time and will show undeletable items.
• Log: Saves uninstall details to C:\ProgramData\ShadowWhisperer\Apps\uninstall.log
• Startup Checks: Verifies services (PcaSvc, AppXSvc, camsvc) and registry keys to prevent app re-installation.

How It Works

• Startup: Checks for conflicts or issues, fixing them if needed. A brief GUI may appear on slower hardware.
• Database: Builds C:\ProgramData\ShadowWhisperer\Apps\database.json on startup for installed apps, refreshing only when needed.
• App List: Hides critical apps (e.g., Microsoft.Windows.DevicesFlowHost) to prevent system issues. See Source/apps.json for hidden apps ("hide": "yes").
• App Removal: Searches system for files/registry keys to delete, using app-specific data from Source/apps.json (e.g., Microsoft.Print3D context menu keys).

apps.json

• name: Publisher-given app name (e.g., SAMSUNGELECTRONICSCO.LTD.Bixby)
• info: Display name (e.g., [App] Bixby AI)
• issues: Problems caused by removal (e.g., Breaks Windows Store Apps)
• hide: Hide from viewable list (yes/no)
• native: Part of clean Windows install (yes/no)
• bloat: Non-essential software (yes/no)

Notes

• Desktop Icon Flicker: Caused by clearing installed app list cache during database rebuild. See rebuild_database in source code.
• Windows 11 Reboot: Required to clear apps from list due to differences in app management compared to Windows 10.
• Unknown Apps: Apps with ? in Info or Issues are not in the database or unverified for safe removal. Research before removing.
• Bloat vs. Native:
  • Bloat: Non-essential, third-party software.
  • Native: Built into a clean Windows install.
• Remnants Scan: May take a long time to run or log entries. (It has to find them first)
• Comparison to RevoUninstaller: AppExorcist searches dynamically for remnants, unlike Revo’s predefined lists. It’s free, with no animations or PowerShell popups.

Limitations

• Incomplete Removal: Some registry keys/files may persist due to system constraints.
• Hidden Apps: Critical apps are hidden to avoid breaking system functionality. Remove ? apps at your own risk.

Build From Source

pip.exe install pywin32 pyinstaller requests wmi

pyinstaller --noconsole  --onefile -i cross.ico -n AppExorcist.exe --add-data "cross.ico;." apps.py --add-data apps.json;."

1.mp4