Microsoft forcing PC Health Check app onto Windows 10

By Sean Endicott
published

Microsoft's PC Health Check app reinstalls onto Windows 10 PCs, even when people don't want it.

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Surface Laptop 4 Amd 2021 Display (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • A Windows 10 update installs the PC Health Check app onto devices running Windows 10.
  • The primary function of the tool is to assess if a computer is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11.
  • Some people are having issues uninstalling the program.

A recent update to Windows 10 installs the PC Health Check app. The primary function of the tool is to assess if a computer is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, though it has other uses. Microsoft explains that the app can be uninstalled in a support document (opens in new tab), but some people run into issues when trying to remove the app from their PCs. According to Bleeping Computer some PCs reinstall the PC Health Check app, even after people uninstall it several times.

The PC Health Check app comes to Windows 10 with the KB5005463 update. Specifically, PCs running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) or later will receive the update. The app can manage startup programs, view storage usage and battery capacity, and sync device preferences across PCs. It's most well-known, however, for its ability to check if a PC meets the minimum requirements of Windows 11.

Uninstalling the PC Health Check app hasn't gone smoothly for some PC owners. People that reached out to Bleeping Computer explained that Windows 10 reinstalls the PC Health Check app after checking for OS updates. Additionally, Windows 10 states that the KB5005463 update is not installed, even when the update is running on a PC. This makes it difficult to uninstall the KB5005463 update.

Source: Bleeping Computer (Image credit: Source: Bleeping Computer)

It's possible to block the installation of the PC Health Check app and the KB5005464 update through the registry, though that is a more complex method than normally required to block an update.

The PC Health Check app does not run automatically and can be closed, meaning it shouldn't affect system performance. Some PC owners dislike having programs forced onto their PCs, preferring to have the option to choose which programs are on their computer.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

8 Comments
  • I removed it with Wisecare 365. I have pro but free version also offers you to use it's program uninstaller. You can remove is safely or the aggressive way. And it didn't come back.
  • This should not get pushed to users involuntary though, at least it should only give user a link to download first before updating to Windows 11.
  • Things like this certainly makes the anti-trust regulators rub their hands with glee. The bean counters are really pushing Microsoft into questionable territory here.
  • Yeah, this really makes my head scratch with Microsoft's decisions like this, considering that they may know this move will be unpopular. Though because 90% of Windows users may not really notice or care, so they do it anyways I guess. But yeah, this is just corporate shenanigans where some departments in Microsoft has to meet targets to please their managers, and will just have to do this because it is business after all. Regardless if it really make sense for them to do this or not. This pushing PC Health Check app is unnecessary since the only user will need it are the ones will actively look for Windows 11. So this is just a bloatware that most people won't use.
  • PSA: If you have windows update set to notify to download and install. As long you haven't clicked down yet, you can hide (remove) the offending Kb update using the update troubleshooter.
  • I don't have a problem with it. It's more than just a check for Win 11 compatibility app. It has other health check functionality. There are are a number of MS installed utilities on every Windows PC. I just consider this an addition to those. Probably have a similar Dell one or HP one if you have one of their systems. My gripe is it says my laptop is perfectly fine for Win 11, but Win update keeps saying coming soon, check to see if you are ready.
  • Obviously this forced install is a blatant advertisement for windows 11, and adding other functions is an excuse to push it on everyone. Luckily it can be *easily* uninstalled the normal way from the programs list on settings or control panel (ms does actually state this in it's info article); uninstalling it does leave the "update" on, so winupdate will not install it again.
  • The problem with things like this is we know what they tell us it does not we have no idea what else it may do. I don't trust any of these companies anymore and this is a perfect example of why.