How to Permanently Remove the Windows 11 Phone Link App (The Cleanest Way)

The Phone Link app (formerly known as Your Phone) is a core component of Windows 11 designed to seamlessly connect your PC and mobile device. However, if you don't use it, it takes up system resources and appears as unwanted bloatware.

Unfortunately, Microsoft often prevents uninstallation through the standard Settings or Start Menu interface. This article provides the cleanest, most efficient method to completely remove the Phone Link app using a powerful built-in tool: PowerShell.

The Only Method You Need: Using PowerShell

To truly uninstall the Phone Link app system-wide, we must leverage PowerShell, which provides elevated permissions to manage core Windows components and pre-installed applications (AppX packages).

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Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Phone Link

This process is straightforward and only requires one line of command. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Open PowerShell with Administrator Rights

This is the most critical step. Standard user permissions won't allow the uninstallation of an AppX package.

1. Click the Start Menu or press the Windows key.

2. Type "PowerShell."

3. In the search results, look for "Windows PowerShell" or "PowerShell (Desktop app)."

4. Right-click on the app.

5. Select "Run as administrator."

6. If the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click "Yes" to grant permission.

Why Admin? Running as Administrator grants the necessary system-level access to execute the Remove-AppxPackage command, ensuring a complete, permanent removal.

Step 2: Execute the Uninstallation Command

In the blue or black PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command exactly as written.

• Command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage

• Press the Enter key on your keyboard.

Step 3: Verify Removal

The command executes instantly and provides no confirmation message in the console.

1. Close the PowerShell window.

2. Go back to the Start Menu and search for "Phone Link."

3. The application icon should now be gone, confirming that the app has been successfully removed from your device.

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Pro-Tip: What Does That Command Actually Do?

For the data-driven user, here's a quick breakdown of the PowerShell command:

• Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone: This is the first part of the command. It tells PowerShell to locate the specific AppX package named Microsoft.YourPhone.

• -AllUsers: This ensures that the command finds the installed package for all user profiles on the computer, not just the currently logged-in one. This guarantees a complete system removal.

• | (Pipe): This symbol takes the output from the first command (the identified Phone Link package) and passes it as input to the next command.

• Remove-AppxPackage: This is the final and main action. It tells PowerShell to uninstall the AppX package it received via the pipe.

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Key Takeaway for Windows Users

• The most reliable way to remove core Windows 11 apps like Phone Link is by using PowerShell with Administrator rights.

• Standard uninstallation methods will fail because Microsoft classifies these apps as core "AppX Packages."

• The command Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage is your definitive solution for a clean system cleanup.

• Removing unused pre-installed software can marginally improve system performance and reduce desktop clutter.