Some components breaking Start Menu and System Settings (Win 10)

garson

Member
Hi nuhi

Some components when removed break Start menu and System Settings on Win10 (I am using LTSC 2021 at the moment but I think same issue was on 1909). While it is maybe expected that this action breaks Start menu and System settings, maybe it would be good to add that in description for these components. Or maybe even add compatibility option for Start Menu/System Settings.
Here are components:
'Capability Access'
'Device Association Broker'


Also I would like to report 2 more findings:
1. removing 'International Unicode Components' breaks/removes Network connections in Old Control Panel and network icon in tray becomes globe/sphere as if you don't have internet connection
2. I've noticed 2 components (attached screenshot) are needed for Start Menu and they are greyed out, with no description like "Explicit removal not supported". So I remove Start Menu and these 2 are still there and greyed out?
 

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Last edited:
I noticed that most components protected by OOBE compatibility break the Start menu and Settings app since then I avoid removing them. A few can be removed without issue using autounattend.xml to skip OOBE.

'International Unicode Components' breaks Search app too.

EDIT:
For the 2 grayed out components I think you have to use this.
 
Last edited:
I noticed that most components protected by OOBE compatibility break the Start menu and Settings app since then I avoid removing them. A few can be removed without issue using autounattend.xml to skip OOBE.
Yeah, I am not trying to report a bug or something, just thinking that it would be good to have warning in description at least, as many other components have.

EDIT:
For the 2 grayed out components I think you have to use this.
I was thinking the same but in that case they should have description "Explicit removal not supported" like some other components?
 
That's helpful link, I found that main component is icu.dll so I've added it to the list of files not to be removed, and icons are ok now after removal of 'International Unicode Components' .
 
Another one for nuhi to look into.
Just removed these 2:
commmc 'COM+ (Component Services) (management console)'
commmc32 'COM+ (Component Services) (management console) - 32 bit'
but got error in mmc.

complus.jpg
 
Some components when removed break Start menu and System Settings on Win10 (I am using LTSC 2021 at the moment but I think same issue was on 1909). While it is maybe expected that this action breaks Start menu and System settings, maybe it would be good to add that in description for these components. Or maybe even add compatibility option for Start Menu/System Settings.
Here are components:
'Capability Access'
'Device Association Broker'
Those two components are a part of OOBE compatibility for a reason. Always enable OOBE compatibility when installing from an image.
See warning on the Apply page when disabling OOBE compat.
Those components you can only remove Live.
Tested now, no issues when removed after setup.

Also I would like to report 2 more findings:
1. removing 'International Unicode Components' breaks/removes Network connections in Old Control Panel and network icon in tray becomes globe/sphere as if you don't have internet connection
International Unicode Components is also part of OOBE, make sure not to remove before setup.

2. I've noticed 2 components (attached screenshot) are needed for Start Menu and they are greyed out, with no description like "Explicit removal not supported". So I remove Start Menu and these 2 are still there and greyed out?
This was unlocked in the latest version, the controlpanel one is Settings app, recommending not to remove it if using Settings.
The other one, Shell Experience Host is needed for some tray stuff, like icons on them.
 
Another one for nuhi to look into.
Just removed these 2:
commmc 'COM+ (Component Services) (management console)'
commmc32 'COM+ (Component Services) (management console) - 32 bit'
but got error in mmc.

View attachment 6530
Isn't that expected, see the title of that MMC snapin, same name as the component.
The question is how did that leftover remain to be clicked on.
What MMC shortcut is that if comexp.msc is removed?

Thanks.
 
This was unlocked in the latest version, the controlpanel one is Settings app, recommending not to remove it if using Settings.
The other one, Shell Experience Host is needed for some tray stuff, like icons on them.
Thanks!
The question is how did that leftover remain to be clicked on.
What MMC shortcut is that if comexp.msc is removed?

Thanks.
This is what I wanted to report. Going to mmc and adding 'Component Services' snap-in, then expanding like on screenshot I attached earlier.
 
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