How to Turn On or Off Archive Apps in Windows 11
Archiving apps in Windows 11 frees up disk space by compressing old apps you don’t use often. This feature is available in Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise editions.
When an app is archived, its files are compressed, and its icon stays on your desktop or Start menu. You can open the app by clicking its icon; Windows will automatically decompress it.
This setting can be managed for your personal account, another user’s account, or all users on the PC. You control which apps get archived to save space.
Open Settings, go to Apps, then Advanced app settings, and toggle “Archive apps” to On or Off. This setting controls whether infrequently used apps are automatically archived to save space.
What are Archive Apps?
Archive apps in Windows 11 save storage space by shrinking programs you rarely use. When you need an archived program again, Windows downloads it, making it ready to use and keeping your PC running smoothly. This frees up storage space without you losing access to your installed programs.
Archiving apps in Windows 11 saves storage space on your computer. Turning off app archiving keeps your programs ready to use immediately, without the need to download them first.
Reference:
ApplicationManagement Policy CSP
Learn more about the ApplicationManagement Area in Policy CSP.
Option One
Turn Archive Apps On or Off for Your Account in Settings
- Open Settings (Win+I).
- Click on Apps on the left side. Then click on Advanced app settings on the right side.
- Turn archive apps On (this is the default) or Off for what you want.
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two
Turn Archive Apps On or Off for a Specific Person in Registry Editor
Managing archive app settings for individual users on your Windows 11 PC is possible with the Registry Editor. This method lets you manage the archive app setting for specific users if you have administrator privileges, instead of changing the setting for everyone on the computer. This approach refines app archiving for individual accounts.
- Open Windows Terminal. Select Windows PowerShell.
- Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell. Press Enter.
You'll need the Security Identifier (SID) for a specific Windows account; this unique string of numbers and letters identifies that user and will be used later for archiving apps.
- Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
- Navigate to this location in the left pane of Registry Editor:
For Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions, the Local Group Policy Editor lets you control archive app settings for all users. Administrators can configure archiving behavior for the entire system, impacting every account. This approach manages app archiving for everyone simultaneously on these specific Windows versions.
- Open Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
- Navigate to this location in the left pane:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment
- In the right pane, double-click on Archive infrequently used apps to change it.
To Turn Archive Apps On for Everyone:
- Click the dot next to Enabled.
- Click OK. Go to step 8 below.
To Turn Archive Apps Off for Everyone:
- Click the dot next to Disabled. (see screenshot below)
- Click OK. Go to step 8 below.
To Use Default Settings (Let People Choose):
- Click the dot next to Not Configured.
- Click OK. Go to step 8 below.
- You can now close Local Group Policy Editor.
Option Four
Turn Archive Apps On or Off for Everyone Using a REG File
To Turn Archive Apps On for Everyone:
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowAutomaticAppArchiving /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
To Turn Archive Apps Off for Everyone:
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowAutomaticAppArchiving /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
To Use Default Settings (Let People Choose):
reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowAutomaticAppArchiving /f
Summary
Managing archive apps in Windows 11 helps save storage by shrinking unused programs. You can turn archive apps on or off for your own account through Settings. For specific users, you can use the Registry Editor if you have admin rights, or for all users on Pro, Enterprise, or Education versions, use the Local Group Policy Editor.
- Option One: Use Settings for just your account. This is the easiest way.
- Option Two: Use Registry Editor to change settings for one specific person on the computer. Requires admin access.
- Option Three: Use Local Group Policy Editor to change settings for everyone. Only works on Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions. Requires admin access.
- Option Four: Use a REG file to change settings for everyone. Works on all versions. Requires admin access.
What do archive apps do in 🪟 Windows 11?
Archive apps in Windows 11 help save storage space and internet data by automatically archiving Microsoft Store apps you rarely use. Your personal files and data remain safe during this process. When you need to use an archived app again, it automatically downloads from the internet to function normally.
How to hide apps on 🪟 Windows 11 without deleting?
Windows 11 does not have a native 'hide' feature for apps. To keep apps out of sight, you can remove shortcuts from your desktop or taskbar. Alternatively, you can move app shortcuts into a specific folder within your Start menu's 'All apps' list to keep your interface clean and organized.
How do I remove unused programs and bloatware from 🪟 Windows 11?
Removing unused programs and bloatware from Windows 11 is possible: go to Settings, then Apps, and Installed apps to uninstall them, or use PowerShell for stubborn software.
How to archive apps to free up space?
Windows 11 automatically manages app archiving. To ensure it is enabled, open Settings, navigate to Apps, and select Advanced app settings. Toggle the 'Archive apps' option to On. This feature intelligently archives infrequently used Microsoft Store apps, freeing up disk space while keeping your data accessible for future use.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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