Microsoft Store and various apps don't work in Windows 10 version 1903

Anonymous
2019-07-29T01:52:34+00:00

Since old threads tend to get locked, not allowing more replies, let me say to anyone who comes here from a Google search:

It doesn't look like this problem is going to get solved.  It looks like the Windows installation has to be scrapped and a new clean install from scratch has to be done, followed by reinstalling all applications and repeating all settings of all applications etc.

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Here's the original question:

Microsoft Store and around a dozen other applications don't run.  I tried a lot of things including doing an in-place upgrade from Windows 10 1903 to Windows 10 1903 keeping all files and apps.  What it kept was the inability of these applications to run.

Start - Settings - Applications shows around a dozen unnamed applications attributed to Microsoft Corporation.  However, Microsoft Store itself is not one of these.  Microsoft Store is displayed in the list of applications, but doesn't have any size (not 0 bytes, but no size displayed at all), and was updated 2019/06/04.

The command wsreset gives an error message.  The specified device, path, or file cannot be accessed.  There is a possibility that the item can't be accessed because of a permissions problem.  However, I've observed that the Windows folder doesn't contain the subfolder needed by Microsoft Store.  The in-place reinstallation of Windows 10 1903 did not create the necessary subfolders.

sfc /scannnow etc. also do not create the necessary subfolders.

This PC originally ran Windows 7 Pro Japanese and subsequently Windows 10 Pro Japanese.  No other language version has ever been installed on this PC.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Microsoft Store

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-11-16T21:22:13+00:00

    I've upgraded to 1909 too. We were able to do so (through Windows Update) because we already were 1903...

    https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/11/12/how-to-get-the-windows-10-november-2019-update/#pGHQpKkVHHy7QEhj.97

    How to get the Windows 10 November 2019 Update

    I believe the download site will say "November" (instead of May) when 1909 is available...

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    Download Windows 10 - Still says "MAY" this very minute

    As soon as available, make 1909 Installation media & try another in-place upgrade with it. If that fails, I think a clean install is the only cure.

    Photos & the Store both continue to work for me. Here is what typing Calculator into Search produces...

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-09-03T23:44:56+00:00

    I don't know how I got back into this thread. I'm sure I was in a similar one, but didn't think I was here. Absolutely - no - don't do everything all over again. I thought I was somewhere else giving that advise. Thanks for reminding me of that movie, though. It was a funny one - "Mars Attacks". They conquered Uranus before they got here, IIRC.

    Sadly, I think you are  right, as you edited into your original post...

    "It doesn't look like this problem is going to get solved.  It looks like the Windows installation has to be scrapped and a new clean install from scratch has to be done, followed by reinstalling all applications and repeating all settings of all applications etc."

    And remember what Greg said: "You're overdue for a Clean Install."

    And I say remember to make a Windows system image backup afterwards to lock in the goodness. I think that's in Greg's post too. Make one immediately after the drivers are right in the clean install & that much works well. Then, you can always return to it, if things go bad along the way of installing all your apps & recovering your files. Then make another backup when all is well with the installations.

    Now I'm off to Pluto. I think the thread I was in is on there. Good luck, & keep us informed.

    Edit: Some settings can be handled by syncing them before the clean install. Then afterwards they automatically will be retrieved when logging into the same Microsoft account...

    https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+do+i+sync+my+settings+in+windows+10%3f&filters=guid:%224026102-en-dia%22%20lang:%22en%22&form=S00028

    how do i sync my settings in windows 10?

    That link is at "START, Settings, Accounts, Sync your settings".

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-09-03T03:42:42+00:00

    Maybe try it with the cumulative KB4512941 too. If uninstalling it fixes things - & letting it reinstall breaks it again - then WUShowHide can keep it out...

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3183922/how-to-temporarily-prevent-a-windows-update-from-reinstalling-in-windo

    How to temporarily prevent a Windows Update from reinstalling in Windows 10

    You'd have to try to catch it in the queue before it actually begins to reinstall. The next quality cumulative update will include any fixes in this one. And we may hope it won't also bring back the problem.

    BTW, my version of Calculator is higher than yours...

    My Windows is 1903. Your Calculator I guess will update once the Store begins to work. Maybe set your default language to English (instead of Martian) at "START, Settings, Time & Language, Language".

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-09-02T13:42:59+00:00

    '(2) Try uninstalling KB4511555 at "START, Settings, Update & Security, View Update History, Uninstall Updates".'

    Done and rebooted.  Store still doesn't open at all, the same as when I started this thread, and the same (except for one exception) when KB4511555 was installed.  To remind you, after KB4511555 was installed, the first time I opened Store, it displayed its splash screen for about 3 nanoseconds before closing, but otherwise it didn't even display its splash screen, the same as its previous status and present status.

    Though of course I exaggerated by a few orders of magnitude.  That one time that Store displayed its splash screen before closing, it was more like 3 milliseconds.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-09-02T13:27:23+00:00

    'My Store still works with it installed.'

    Of course, because your Store was already working before this discussion started, and my Store wasn't.

    '(1) Did you see whether it works for you at "START, Settings, Apps, Microsoft Store, Advanced Options, Reset"...?...'

    Yes, I tried in July 2019, before posting my original question in this thread.

    'Try uninstalling KB4511555'

    I would expect that to "change" Store from its present non-working status to the former non-working status that it had in July and August, but OK, I'll do it, and I'll post again after rebooting.

    'If that one won't uninstall, try the cumulative KB4512941.'

    That doesn't seem to be necessary, because KB4511555 did uninstall and now needs a reboot.

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