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General discussion

Why won't Microsoft store and associated apps load?

Oct 26, 2018 5:12PM PDT

Not sure which Windows 10 update did it, but I can't get the MS App store, the calculator, the photo viewer, or other MS Apps to open. There is a very brief time that it looks like the apps or the store are going to open but then they seem to just shut down - without any accompanying error message.

I tried resetting each app and the store. I tried troubleshooting each app and the store. I tried creating a new user account. I tried updating everything. I tried turning off my firewall temporarily.

No joy with anything so far. Any help would be appreciated.

--Submitted by CJ H.

Discussion is locked

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Only on insiders builds for me
Oct 26, 2018 6:08PM PDT

So my workstation which is on 1803 loads all the store apps just fine. But on the last insider build on my notebook, 18262 they start to open and then just close before any of their content renders. Maybe it's an 1809 issue?

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Clear the store cache
Oct 26, 2018 6:21PM PDT

Method 1: Clear the Store cache:

You may try these steps to clear the Store cache and check if it helps:

Press the "Windows + R" keys on the keyboard.
Type "wsreset.exe" and press "Enter".
Reboot the computer and then check the issues with the App.
Method 2: Re-register the Store App and check.

Right click on Start button on the desktop and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Here, User Account Control window pops up and click on Yes to open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
Type the below command in the Command Prompt:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml

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Last Resort
Oct 26, 2018 8:56PM PDT

I had the same problem on my computer. An update in the spring broke all the MS apps. I tried the resetting the apps, clearing the cache, and all the other soft reset methods but nothing worked. In the end, the last solution was to reinstall windows. But instead of doing a reinstall that erased all my stuff, I ended up running the windows install tool. I watched a couple videos that do this. Search Download Windows 10 and select the Microsoft side. Create Windows 10 Installation Media. Download Tool Now. Run the installation tool. 2 hours later, windows was reinstalled and the apps worked.

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I recently had a similar problem
Oct 26, 2018 11:21PM PDT

The latest upgrade did not wipe out any of my data, as it did for many others. Instead it wiped out a few of my programs, including Microsoft Office. They would not load. I reverted using System Restore. When the upgrade was installed again less than 24 hours later it did not cause any problems. If this was a recent update you might try reverting to a time before the problem started. The updates will be reinstalled, but they might not do the same thing this time. I think that Microsoft updates and upgrades sometimes do not install correctly the first time.

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... do not install correctly the first time ...
Nov 2, 2018 10:19PM PDT

In fact, they probably do that reproducibly any number of times until Microsoft fixes something and then, the next time, they "magically" work.

(As Murphy used to say: "There's never time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over.")

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Maybe so...
Nov 3, 2018 12:18AM PDT

But the important thing is that it worked. The two installations were about 24 hours apart, by the way.

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Did You Try Event Viewer?
Oct 27, 2018 12:24AM PDT

What you might want to try is to record the exact time from Windows and try testing the MS Store/apps. If it isn't loading or crashes, note the time and run event viewer and see if there are reported errors in Event Viewer. That way, you might get error codes that you can look up.

Did you try turning off all of your anti-malware solution?

Howie

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OMG!
Nov 2, 2018 10:30PM PDT

This is a "could have had a V8" moment for me. There is some "biggish" software out there that I represent and I routinely teach people to check the event log for information the moment something doesn't look right - and even check from time to time while things seem to be running well.

The other day I learned hat the old "won't release a USB drive" issue, which fails to tell us what is keeping the drive from being unmounted, does leave exactly that info in the event log. (the good news is they do know what the problem is (surprise!) - and the bad news is they don't put it in the message where we can easily see it ...)

And now here it may be the same thing - "Let us record an error condition and not tell the user!"

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Fixing Windows 10 Start Menu, Apps and Live Tiles
Oct 27, 2018 10:28AM PDT

This worked for me:

Use the Command Line utilities
There are a couple of utilities you can use to address the Start Menu/Tile/App problem. Before you begin though we strongly advise backing up any files that you can't afford to lose.

Scan File System:
System File Check is a built-in utility that will, as the name suggests, go through your system to see if anything is corrupted.
The first thing you’ll need to do is open up the Task Manager window by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
At the top of the new window you should see the option for File>Run new task. Click this, and then in the Create new task box, type CMD. Do not press enter yet. Under the area where you typed in CMD you’ll see a box entitled create this task with administrative privileges. Make sure this is ticked. Now click OK.

A new window will now appear with a cursor flashing next to c: \windows\system32>
Type in the following command; sfc /scannow and press enter.

Windows will now run a scan on your file system and let you know whether it discovers any discrepancies.
If you see the message Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some (or all) of them then you’ll need to run another program to see if these issues can be resolved.

At the command line prompt type the following:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth Make sure that you include the spaces after each word.
This might take a little while to run. When DISM has completed you should receive a message letting you know all is well. It’s a good idea to run the sfc /scannow utility again to check that there aren’t any other errors lurking in the system.

If after all this you’re still experiencing the problem then follow the Reinstall Windows Apps below.
Reinstalling the Windows Apps (Startup Menu and Tiles)

Make sure Windows Defender Firewall is running. If you are using another firewall, anti-virus, etc., turn them off and start the Windows Defender Firewall. The following install needs the Defender Firewall running or it will not completely work!

Just like in the SFC section above, launch the Command Line interface in Admin mode. To do so press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, select File>Run new task, then type CMD. Make sure that the Create this task with administrative privileges box is ticked, then click OK.
You’ll see the black terminal window appear with a cursor flashing next to the c: \windows\system32> prompt. Enter the word powershell, press enter and then copy and paste the following command (yes, you can paste into the command line in Windows 10!);
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Press enter, the process will run. Don't worry about the red error messages which might appear.

This is normal, if a little terrifying, but when the process has finished you’ll see the prompt appear at the bottom of the panel. Close the window and hopefully your Start menu will be fully operational once more.

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Did not work
Nov 5, 2018 10:43PM PST

I followed your instructions, but unfortunately it didn't work for me. Sad

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WIN 10 WILL NOT LOAD NON MICROSOFT APPS
Nov 2, 2018 6:45PM PDT

You have to go to Settings, then Apps & Features, click top one that says Installing Apps. Set to Allow Apps From Everywhere. You are done.

Post was last edited on November 2, 2018 6:50 PM PDT

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My Fix
Nov 2, 2018 7:05PM PDT

Same problem. Took my new Dell back to Costco for full refund. As I was at Costco one of their problem solvers told me to Never Buy New. Always buy refurbished. #1 Save $$, #2 Get same warranty as new #3 Any and all problems have been taken care of - they don't want it back again.

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I was about to mark this "helpful" ...
Nov 2, 2018 10:37PM PDT

Here is why I didn't: It sure is great advice for the next time, but unfotunately doesn't help in the current situation.

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Lenovo
Nov 2, 2018 9:03PM PDT

I fought this battle for a long time on my Lenovo laptop. Microsoft store refused to update my apps or to download anything. Tried everything. The troubleshooter pointed to a Lenovo foundation v2 driver issue. I uninstalled it and everthing has been humming right along fine since. It is a Lenovo issue for one of their helper apps. You'll know it when you try to open it and it keeps wanting to update. Don't do it.

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MS Help is Still the Best and Cheapest Way to Ho
Nov 2, 2018 10:22PM PDT

You should have an app on your computer called Help that in two or three steps puts you in touch with an MS technician who will solve deep level problems like this for free. If you can get that app to load either, you can contact them from another computer or via the internet.

On the other hand, if you are the DIY type and enjoy the trip at least as much as the destination, then the following are a few of the things I would do:
0. Your first concern for something like this should be malware, but I’m not going to walk through what I bet a hundred others have already told you.
1. Try to delete the MS store app. It’s now possible to delete virtually every app that MS has preloaded; so you might be able to delete this one. If you can, go to MS online and you should be able to get the app replaced.
2. Create a second user on your computer and see if the problem persists when you switch users. If it does, then the problem is “deep”. If not, then the issue is probably in the registry. I would find and download the free CCleaner.
Ccleaner is the gentlest registry cleaner out there. Yes, it’s also the least effective, but that is the tradeoff; and it does fix a fair amount of real issues.
3. MS has its own fix-it application on board that is somewhat successful at finding and repairing issues, but not usually. Still, it’s worth a shot. It can be found by entering “problem” in the Windows search field. BTW, I am not talking about the MS app called “fixit” that MS no longer supports.

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Troubleshooting
Nov 3, 2018 12:30PM PDT

Microsoft replaced the Fixit (in Win 10) with "Troubleshooting". It's under the Control Panel. I think its still in its infancy but I have used it to fix things. You should run the Windows update one just before any huge update. It straightens out the mess created if one shuts down or powers off the computer mid update since they don't give you a "progress bar" anymore.

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Microsoft Store won't load?
Nov 3, 2018 7:37AM PDT

I have 1803 installed and another update was installed yesterday November 2nd and when I just tried to launch the Microsoft Store, It came up came up fine. So 1803 that has been recently updated seems to work OK. OS build 17134.345.

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If Things Are Messed Up
Nov 3, 2018 4:51PM PDT

If his OS is messed up, my Dell has a recover thing (I think in Control Panel) that lets you recover. That might fix it without wipe and reinstall. He might also need to run SFC /SCANNOW from Admin command line, To me, it sounds like he may have interrupted an update after it started. You can't do that. Half an update is a disaster. Whoever suggested starting with SFC and DISM was probably a good place to start. I have both Windows install tool on a jump drive as well as a Dell emergency restore on a drive.

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Here was my solution
Nov 3, 2018 8:46AM PDT

While I, first, tried a download (with an active, internet, connection), then by purchasing a copy, my computer STILL would not upload these programs.

In fact, the only response I received, from this software, was that I needed to install atleast a half dozen other, PAID, programs, to allow my computer to "read", then "install" this kind of software.

This is how programmers make their money. They offer a basic program, for about $20.00, BUT the purchaser ends up paying as much as $250, for the "support programs", which allow the software to run, on your computer.

When I had a computer programmer look at my machine, and give me a price quote, I found that, between software, and correct install, by the computer programmer, the $20 program would cost me $500, to run, on my computer.

My friend told me "Since you cannot afford this, I recommend you uninstall, and just use the basic computer."

And remember, folks. All, modern, software is "booby-trapped" to a LIVE, internet, connection. Without this, no matter how much we pay, for software, money is, better spent on C.D.'s, and dvd's.

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I don't understand
Nov 3, 2018 1:58PM PDT

I have never seen this in my life. Microsoft store apps cost exactly what they say they will cost. You do not have to buy other things. Normal programs are designed to install on the computer operating system they are supposed to work on without additional programs. This is not related to the problem the original poster is having.

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Actually I've seen this but
Nov 3, 2018 2:02PM PDT

It was a scam. There are apps that let's just call them scams which the Microsoft Store continues to host which cough up support lines that cost the owner if they proceed.

Microsoft needs to clean the store if they are every going to have me go there.

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Interesting
Nov 3, 2018 2:14PM PDT

I guess I've never run into it because I never buy anything on the Microsoft store. I only use a few free apps. If they don't work for me then I just get rid of them. I have never considered those app stores to be for anything but little programs that are generally free. When I want real software I don't look for it there. I get it in a normal fashion, by checking out reviews and then the websites of the developers. I buy when I know it is something I need or want and I know something about the program.

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The last time I looked
Nov 3, 2018 2:52PM PDT

There were some dozen VLC PLAYER offerings. This is laughable since VLC PLAYER is a free thing and has been for years. There are reviews of the Microsoft Store and the only time I would use it would be when there was no other choice (like Office 365.)

We all hope that if enough shame is brought on about this, MSFT would clean house. But it's probably about the money.

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I have never trusted Microsoft anyway
Nov 4, 2018 1:33AM PDT

Do they have any motive except sucking as much money (and information and anything else they can get) out of all of us as they can manage? I have a couple of free apps that do simple things, like a timer and a Bible app. I don't even look at the rest. From what you are saying, it is probably a good thing I don't. I also intensely dislike the X-Box garbage. If I want to play solitaire, then I just want to play solitaire. I will not play it if I have to endure pressure to do "social" things or add other games, or anything else they want to try to make me do. Maybe gamers like that garbage. I do not. My computer is not for gaming or spending long hours on social sites. I have more important things to do. Microsoft needs to stop trying to turn us all into mindless cookie-cutter copies of an imaginary idiot and let us own our own computers and do with them as we please.

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You sound like...
Nov 6, 2018 12:45AM PST

...someone who would appreciate all that Linux offers instead. I also have never seen the Microsoft stuff they complain about, because everything I want is in Linux repositories for free. I use Mint.

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I like the idea of Linux
Nov 6, 2018 10:13AM PST

I just need to make time to learn how to use it. That is my eventual plan. I do not intend to put up with Microsoft forever. Right now it is just the familiarity that keeps me using it.

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And Then There's the Enterprise
Nov 6, 2018 12:28PM PST

While it is great to know, like and work with LINUX, many of us go into a workplace where Apple and Linux are not appreciated. I usually had 2000 workstations out there and ALL of them (except for ONE guy who refused to give up his MAC) were Windows. They had one LINUX Red Hat that was acting as a server (kept hidden) but they had me replace it with Windows. You have to be able to work with whatever they want when you get a job as well as all the rules about patches and anti-malware. Most of our malware was because some "It slows down my computer..." anti-protection people kept bringing in viruses. But you rarely get a choice on what OS you support, is my main point.

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True
Nov 6, 2018 4:03PM PST

I work at home, though, so I am unlikely to run into that problem. What I am concerned about is all of the expensive paid software that I have and rely on. I need to find out how much of it can be put on Linux or replaced. I need to do some tinkering to put Linux on my computer (I have an unused drive just waiting to be used-- it is even already in the computer!). Then I need to use it for a while to see how I like it and how to get it to do what I want. I have spent years learning how to make Windows behave. Now I see the day coming when I will be forced to abandon it, since Microsoft is so determined to take over everything. I hope that day waits a bit longer.

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Why not make a live DVD/USB...
Nov 6, 2018 4:12PM PST

and try out a Linux distro? Loads to choose from and no need to install. Will give you a sense about how it works. James can likely guide you on this.
Dafydd.

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I have done this
Nov 6, 2018 10:13PM PST

It does give you the general flavor of the distribution, but it does not allow you to do things like try to install software you might want to try. I have downloaded Mint Cinnamon (since it is so popular) and I will probably want to install it.