Bulk Remove SCCM Applications and Their Distribution Points Using PowerShell

Managing applications in Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM/SCCM) can become time-consuming—especially when you need to remove multiple applications along with their associated Distribution Points (DPs) or DP Groups.

To simplify this process, here’s a PowerShell script that:

✔ Reads application names from a text file
✔ Removes associated Distribution Point Groups
✔ Removes individual Distribution Points
✔ Deletes the application from the MECM database
✔ Displays progress and success messages in the console

This script is very helpful during environment cleanups, migrations, or when retiring large numbers of outdated applications.

PowerShell Script: Bulk Application & DP Cleanup in SCCM

$application = Get-Content "C:\applicationlist.txt"

Write-Host "Application removal initiated, Please wait..." -BackgroundColor DarkMagenta

foreach ($applicationname in $application)
{
    # Removing associated DP group from application
    Write-Host "Application Name: $applicationname" -BackgroundColor Blue

    Write-Host "Removing associated DP group and DP from the application..." -BackgroundColor Gray

    Remove-CMContentDistribution -ApplicationName $applicationname -DistributionPointGroupName "Enter the distribution group Name" -Force
    Remove-CMContentDistribution -ApplicationName $applicationname -DistributionPointName "Enter the DP Name" -Force

    Write-Host "$applicationname - Associated DP group and DP removed successfully." -BackgroundColor Green

    Write-Host "Please wait..." -BackgroundColor Gray

    # Removing application from SCCM DB
    Write-Host "Removing application from MECM database..." -BackgroundColor Gray

    Get-CMApplication -Name "$applicationname" | Remove-CMApplication -Force

    Write-Host "Successfully removed application: $applicationname" -BackgroundColor Green
}

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📂 Preparing the Application List

Create a simple text file at:

C:\applicationlist.txt

Add each application name on a new line—names must match exactly as shown in MECM:

Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Adobe Reader
WinRAR

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▶️ How the Script Works

1. Load application names

The script reads each application from the text file using Get-Content.

2. Remove DP Group & DP associations

It removes:

• The assigned Distribution Point Group

• The assigned Distribution Point

This ensures MECM doesn’t block deletion due to content distribution.

3. Remove the application from MECM

After cleanup, the script removes each application using:

Remove-CMApplication -Force

4. Shows clear status messages

Colored console messages indicate progress and completion.

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⚠️ Important Notes Before Running

• Run this script in the Configuration Manager PowerShell environment.

• Replace the placeholders:

  • "Enter the distribution group Name"

  • "Enter the DP Name"

• Ensure you have Application Administrator or higher permissions.

• Test the script in a non-production environment first.

• This script permanently deletes applications, so proceed cautiously.

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✔️ Benefits of Using This Script

• Saves hours of manual cleanup

• Automates DP and DP group removal

• Avoids MECM dependency errors

• Ensures consistent and repeatable cleanup

• Ideal for large-scale environment maintenance