Windows 8 "refresh" removed applications

Anonymous
2012-12-21T18:21:35+00:00

Why did Windows 8 "Refresh" remove about 30 applcations from my PC?  Outlook is gone, as is Excel and Word.  I did a upgrade from 7 on one of my PC's and the new system had not even been operating long enough to create a "Restore" point.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2012-12-22T07:58:25+00:00

Hi Rodgerr,

I can imagine how frustrating it could be when most of the applications have been removed on the computer.

Since, you have refreshed the PC; all the applications installed will be removed.

The apps that came with your PC or you installed from Windows Store will be reinstalled, but any apps you installed from other websites and DVDs will be removed. You'll find a list of the removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

Refer: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

I would recommend you to reinstall all the applications on windows 8 to work.

Let us know the status.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-18T23:17:29+00:00

    There was certainly not sufficient warning that so much would be removed - in fact it said that it would not affect my files and settings.

    Applications are not files nor are they settings.  If this fact was more obvious, perhaps what happened would be more predictable.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to upgrade an operating system and maintain full functionality.  Because of that, it is much easier to have you reinstall your applications than for some feature in programs to break because of it.  The former causes several hours of work.  The later causes either a terrible user experience, or you'd reinstall the programs anyway.  Either way they go, users will have problems.  Too bad MS couldn't have made it more obvious what was going to happen.

    Eric

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-18T22:55:42+00:00

    OK clever dick,

    Some of us sad people have real lives and don't always think that things may not be what they say.

    As far as I am concerned I had not installed any "Apps" so had nothing to lose.

    Oh, so "Apps" means what I have always called "programs", when did that change?

    And, when did Microsoft Office stop being an "App" on that basis from the Windows store.

    Changing the words used to refer to things it great fun for rappers and hip-kids, but it is a total pain for those of us who like to stick to the words we know.

    By the way - when did Community Star come to mean sarcastic pillock?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-18T08:25:19+00:00

    OK. To all you lot who don't bother to READ anything, here's what happens when I click on "Refresh".

    A socking great message comes up, right across my screen so I can't miss it that says:

    Refresh Your PC

    Here's what will happen:

    • Your files and personalization settings won't change.
    • Your PC settings will be changed back to their defaults.
    • Apps from Windows Store will be kept.
    • APPS YOU INSTALLED FROM DISCS OR WEBSITES WILL BE REMOVED.
    • A list of removed apps will be saved on your desktop.

    How much CLEARER do you want it?

    Jeeeeze.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-18T09:20:37+00:00

    I was supposed to have restore points from Win7 installation. Sadly after upgrading to Win8 it seems they are gone... Anyway, all my precious software and configs are lost now, and I still think Win8 could be a good think.

    Going to make a fresh new installation on a faster HDD and looking to re-install one-by-one all the stuff I need. Since I bought the Win8 Pro upgrade I think I'm going to re-install win7 and then re-upgrade it with win8 code, hope it's going to work.

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