Windows 10 - how to prevent Microsoft Text Input Application from starting?

Question

I Am trying to prevent Microsoft Text Input Application from starting. Process name: "TextInputHost.exe". I know it is behind an on-screen keyboard. But I don't use this! It starts nevertheless, after a Windows startup. I am on Windows 10 Pro x64 20H2, but this is bothering me a long time!

Goal: is to disable it properly, as you can rename the folder - but it generates Errors in Event Viewer.

What I tried:

First I tried to rename "MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy" by adding .bak at the end. Which prevents a startup. However this is not an optimal way to disable applications in Windows. It could create some problems! I Am confident this could be disabled by editing some hidden registry value. Problem is to find it!

As I had a similar problem with "GameBarPresenceWriter.exe". It was starting at any game launch. Even GameDVR and Gamebar were disabled in every possible location! And then I found some hidden registry key on minitool.com. Which allowed me to disable it!

I also tried:

• startup of "TabletInputService" is disabled!
• all settings in pen & ink are disabled
• inking and typing is disabled
• use on-screen keyboard is disabled

Solution

Following solution is aimed at build 1903! On newer builds it will generate DCOM error 10001. This can be fixed by disabling startup of "InputService" in DCOMcnfg and denying all its permissions. However it is not recommended to edit anything in DCOMcnfg.exe!!!

The solution: Open TaskManager, click on the process in question in the Process tab, expand and right click/Details to find out its exact name (differs per system)!

If MicrosoftTextInputApplication's process is called "TextInputHost.exe" paste this into elevated CMD:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\TextInputHost.exe" /v Debugger /d "%SystemRoot%\system32\systray.exe" /f
taskkill /im "TextInputHost.exe" /t /f
echo done

If it is called "InputApp.exe" paste this:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\WindowsInternal.ComposableShell.Experiences.TextInput.InputApp.exe" /v Debugger /d "%SystemRoot%\system32\systray.exe" /f
taskkill /im "WindowsInternal.ComposableShell.Experiences.TextInput.InputApp.exe" /t /f 
echo done

To undone changes (change name to your process name):

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\WindowsInternal.ComposableShell.Experiences.TextInput.InputApp.exe" /v Debugger /f
echo done

Source: https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/133209-microsoft-text-input-application-inicio-start-english-processes-3.html?133209=#post2125555

DCOM Event ID 10001 general description:

Unable to start a DCOM Server: MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_120.2212.551.0_x64__cw5n1h2txyewy!InputApp as Unavailable/Unavailable. The error:
"2147942402"
Happened while starting this command:
"C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\InputApp\TextInputHost.exe" -ServerName:InputApp.AppX9jnwykgrccxc8by3hsrsh07r423xzvav.mca

For more details: https://pastebin.com/aNWvZmCh

What I did I do to solve DCOM error:
I disabled startup and denied all permissions for "InputService" APPID = {730BFCEC-E4BF-4D3A-9FBB-01DD132467A4} in DCOMcnfg.exe Tutorial

You have to also rename the folder: "MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy" by putting at the end of its name .bak! Located in: C:\Windows\SystemApps

PS: If anyone has a solution how to prevent "TextInputHost.exe" from starting safely without generating errors and editing DCOMcnfg.exe that would be great!

Comments

[Jenny]

Not sure if this is same as your case but there is an old article mentioned that if users are getting touch keyboard pop-up, the workaround is to turn off the Windows Mixed Reality: windowslatest.com/2017/10/19/…

[empleat]

I don't have touch keyboard showing up, nor installed Windows Mixed Reality. I just want to prevent this process from running!

[AJM]

MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy - I take it this is the subfolder of C:\Windows\SystemApps?

[jerhewet]

Thank you for the precise -- and completely accurate -- instructions for disabling this piece of bloatware and getting rid of the DCOM errors.

[Neeraj]

FWIW, This will also disable that handy little emoji popup (Win+.) along w/ modern touch keyboard. Old OSK still works.