Which apps to keep for installing UWP Control Panels?

gurkanyal

New Member
I want to remove all apps related to Microsoft Store, but when i do that i was unable to install UWP Based driver apps (control panels etc.).
 
Installing UWP apps requires the minimum features:
- all of ModernApp support
- System Apps
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2​
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2​
Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.4​
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop​
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00​
AppResolverUX (optional)​

If your UWP app requires other libraries besides the core .NET.Native, UI.Xaml & VCLibs, those must be installed too. Most of the graphics control panels don't require anything beyond the native libraries.

AppResolverUX allows File Explorer users to install packages w/o PowerShell commands.

AMD (requires VCLibs):
AdvancedMicroDevicesInc-2.AMDRadeonSoftware_0a9344xs7nr4m

Intel (requires both .NET, VCLibs):
AppUp.IntelGraphicsExperience_8j3eq9eme6ctt

NVIDIA (no requirements):
NVIDIACorp.NVIDIAControlPanel_56jybvy8sckqj
 
its how I do, actually. Also of note, license.xml is valid for any version released AFTER its date of release, so you can install it with a PS script like so:PowerShell -NoLogo -NoProfile -NonInteractive -InputFormat None -ExecutionPolicy Bypass Add-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackagePath C:\AppX\AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_1.0.34.0_x64__8j3eq9eme6ctt.Appx -DependencyPackagePath C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx -LicensePath C:\Appx\AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_8j3eq9eme6ctt.xml
 
its how I do, actually. Also of note, license.xml is valid for any version released AFTER its date of release, so you can install it with a PS script like so:PowerShell -NoLogo -NoProfile -NonInteractive -InputFormat None -ExecutionPolicy Bypass Add-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackagePath C:\AppX\AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_1.0.34.0_x64__8j3eq9eme6ctt.Appx -DependencyPackagePath C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx,C:\Appx\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx -LicensePath C:\Appx\AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_8j3eq9eme6ctt.xml
you can use allias for powershell function in your script :
Powershell -NOL -NOP -NONI -EP Bypass -C " "
 
[for list of all aliases you can use]

powershell -c "get-alias"
 
since NTLite doesn't pick up License.xml
nuhi hasn't mentioned if NTLite supports license files for app packages. But the filename convention is not always consistent.
That's why most external installers include a PS script with exact filenames.

Dell's (Intel) Graphics Command Center:
18c529d76f9946b3b73eac52ac582bd5.appxbundle
18c529d76f9946b3b73eac52ac582bd5_License1.xml

HP Support Assistant 9:
71a2b320b52b47aebbd13210dccc5d26.appxbundle
71a2b320b52b47aebbd13210dccc5d26_License1.xml

Your example:
AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_1.0.34.0_x64__8j3eq9eme6ctt.Appx
AppUp.ThunderboltControlCenter_8j3eq9eme6ctt.xml

winget (GitHub):
b0a0692da1034339b76dce1c298a1e42_License1.xml
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle

winget changes its filename with EVERY RELEASE, and it's Microsoft's own package manager!
 
Yeah, I usually rename it to match the app name, without the version and architecture numbers, because I'm a neat freak.
 
More results from sideloading Control Panel apps in VM:

AMD Radeon Software
AMD requires a fake "UWP device driver" installed before adding the package. It's just a placeholder, there's no actual driver inside.

Add-AppxPackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CFD, A Prerequisite for an install could not be satisfied.
Windows cannot install package AdvancedMicroDevicesInc-2.AMDRadeonSoftware_10.21.40026.0_x64__0a9344xs7nr4m because this package depends on a device driver that could not be found. One of the following device drivers must be installed: {[Advanced_Micro_Devices,_Inc.-UWPPair.inf, 29.2140.0.0]}

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. - SoftwareComponent - 29.2140.0.0 (Microsoft Update Catalog)
- extract the CAB
- on live system, install INF file and then add package
- on offline system, integrate the INF and apply changes -- then add AMD package in the 2nd pass

Installs and quits because my driver is not compatible (or isn't a real AMD driver). Since I don't have any recent AMD video cards, someone needs to check this out on their system.

Intel Graphics Command Center
Installs and loads fine.

NVIDIA Control Panel
Installs and quits because there's no detected NVIDIA graphics
 
It remains to say which control panels do not work. Nvidia uwp control panel doesn't need anything special just bind filter driver.

But I'm interested in knowing the minimum required for intel, amd, realtek etc uwp control panels to work.

The setup of the intel and amd drivers does not install the control panel and its dependencies? Is this done via the Store? The nvidia setup contains the control panel and installs it without even needing internet.

I would like to remove everything possible and only install when necessary, if the setups do it automatically. If it is necessary to install the dependencies manually then it is better to keep them in the image.
 
Standalone installers include all of the UWP app's dependencies. There's no guarantee the bundled app or its dependencies will match the Store's version, depending on how often the drivers are released.

NVIDIA RTX 3080 for W11

Display.Driver\NVCPL:
d7bda1d24bbf4a8aad193fd20c874609.appx
d7bda1d24bbf4a8aad193fd20c874609_License1.xml
d7bda1d24bbf4a8aad193fd20c874609.appx -> 8.1.962.0
Store -> 8.1.962.0

AMD RX6800 for W11

Packages\Appx\amdlink\frommsstore
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.30704.0_arm64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.30704.0_arm__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.30704.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.30704.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.appx
d40eb3cf6dbc43f592ff156c1c01b058.msix
d40eb3cf6dbc43f592ff156c1c01b058_License1.xml
d40eb3cf6dbc43f592ff156c1c01b058.msix -> 10.22.20002.0
Store ->10.21.40026.0

Intel DCH Drivers (May 2022)
No packages included.

Store app 1.100.3408.0 requires NET.Native.Runtime.2.2. NET.Native.Framework.2.2, VCLibs.140.00

HP Support Assistant 9

HPSA9x
71a2b320b52b47aebbd13210dccc5d26.appxbundle
71a2b320b52b47aebbd13210dccc5d26_License1.xml
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.3.appx
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.4.appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.appx
71a2b320b52b47aebbd13210dccc5d26.appxbundle -> 9.13.85.0
Store (update only, no downloads) -> 9.17.31.0

Realtek Audio Control (pal1000 GitHub)

RTKUWP
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_arm64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_arm__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.30704.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
RealtekSemiconductorCorp.RealtekAudioControl_1.36.273.0_neutral_~_dt26b99r8h8gj.AppxBundle
RealtekSemiconductorCorp.RealtekAudioControl_1.36.273.70_neutral_~_dt26b99r8h8gj.EAppxBundle
Store -> 1.36.273.0

IMO there's no downside to pre-installing the latest 4-5 UWP core libraries (13 MB total). It's the same as installing .NET 5/6 even if you might not have any apps which require that release version.
 
Last edited:
garlin thank you, and sorry for the delay.

So just keep what is necessary for Windows to be able to install UWP apps and for them to have their basic functionality. I believe that control panels do not need all components protected by Windows Store compatibility. For example, 'Sync Host' must be useless to them. I had Store compatibility in mind but in newer versions of NTLite Modern App support was split from that. I hadn't really looked at the components protected by that but now I see that there aren't many like in Store compatibility :)

Intel DCH Drivers (May 2022)
No packages included.
There's always someone to spoil the party :p

So we have to keep the Store for this to be installed automatically, right?
 
nuhi would it be possible to split the Store from your backend which is needed for 3rd party drivers to download uwp apps? I mean files and services, as in LTSC 1809 which doesn't have the Store app but has the Microsoft Store Install Service for example.
 
Store/Store Engagement apps are not required for anything, unless your app has a digital license or DLC. Keeping the Store app will allow Windows to auto-update your packages. Which may or may not be a good thing.

Minimum requirements to run Appx is Modern app compatibility and the core .NET.Native/UI.Xaml/VCLibs. Some MS apps like Bing may insist on adding Advertising.Xaml & WinJS, but no one else wants them.

For the Intel DCH example, I was checking if they included an app inside the installer. No for Intel, it's Store only.

Remember all those old scripts for adding Store to LTSC? NTLite makes this really simple.
Code:
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

I'm finishing up a PS script to click and download Store apps (and their dependencies). Got a few more things to work out.
Currently not allowing downloads of both arch in the same pass, forgot about that...
 
Store/Store Engagement apps are not required for anything, unless your app has a digital license or DLC.
But NTLite removes everything related to the Store along with your app. Microsoft Store Install Service is an example. That's why I asked nuhi if it's possible to split this. But I don't know what is actually needed for Intel drivers for example to install the control panel automatically. I gave the example of LTSC because I saw in the MDL some commenting that in LTSC even without the Store the Intel control panel was automatically downloaded by the installer because although LTSC does not have the Store it has its "backend".

I know it's possible to install the control panel using powershell or dism but I wanted an easier and automatic way without having to maintain the Store app. Maybe using LTSC is the way out for now.
 
After your Intel DCH Graphics Drivers are successfully installed, they are programmed to automatically download and install the Intel® Graphics Command Center from the Windows Store if an Internet connection is available (this is done without the need of any user intervention).

Windows® 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) users may face challenges since access to the Microsoft Store may be limited.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000055210/graphics.html

I don't have compatible intel video to test this :(
 
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