Disable Third-Party Apps in Windows Share Menu

This guide explains how to prevent third-party applications from appearing in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 Share sheet using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). Modifying these registry settings streamlines the native sharing flyout, restricts app-suggested actions, and leaves only default Windows sharing options.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit into the field and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. When prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrator privileges.

Step 2: Navigate to the Explorer Policies Key

Use the left navigation pane or paste the following path directly into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Note: If the Explorer key does not exist under Windows, right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.

Step 3: Create the DWORD Value to Block Third-Party App Suggestions

  1. With the Explorer key selected in the left pane, right-click any empty space in the right pane.
  2. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  3. Name the new value NoUseStoreOpenWith.
  4. Double-click NoUseStoreOpenWith to open its properties.
  5. Set the Value data field to 1.
  6. Ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal, then click OK.

Step 4: Restrict User-Level Package Sharing (Optional)

To ensure current user profiles do not query installed Store packages for the Share contract:

  1. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

  2. Check if a sub-key named ShareOptions exists. If not, right-click Explorer, choose New > Key, and name it ShareOptions.

  3. Select ShareOptions, right-click in the right pane, and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  4. Name the value DisableAppList (or BlockThirdPartyAppSharing depending on your specific Windows build).

  5. Set its Value data to 1 and click OK.

Step 5: Restart Windows Explorer

For the changes to take effect immediately without rebooting your computer:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
  3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.

The Windows Share menu will now display native sharing options without populating installed third-party apps or Store integrations. To revert the changes, navigate back to the created values, set their data to 0, or delete the created DWORD entries.