“Microsoft is installing Office Web Apps on Windows 10 devices without permission”

Reports suggest: In the Start Menu, Web App versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are showing up. Microsoft is downloading the apps without consent. Users need to uninstall the apps if they don’t desire them. 

 On all the Windows 10 devices, Microsoft is reportedly installing the PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook without seeking user permission. These are popping up on the Start Menu as dedication entries, also in the ‘Programs and Features’ section as recently installed. Microsoft is also said to be restarting devices to install these apps through a software update. In the first instance, it was reported as a check carried out in the insiders exclusively, but it is now experienced by non-insiders also.

Generally, PWAs open up by a browser and run without executables on your computer / laptop. The Verge and Windows Latest report that PWA versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook have been put up in their devices without any consent. Few users have also under gone a force restart for the installation of apps without permission. BleepingComputer.com also reported that Microsoft was forcibly installing these PWAs into the new Edge for some users and registering them with Windows 10.

Microsoft is acknowledged to put forth attentive reminders to replace their Windows units repeatedly, these pressure updates to pitch its personal internet apps raises a number of privateness crimson flags. Uninstalling requires these steps to be followed: Control Panel > Programs & Features or Settings App > Apps & Features web page.  

Previously, Microsoft introduced Outlook as a PWA option that any user can choose. The installing of the Office app as a PWA was also a user-controlled option and wasn’t pre-installed.