windows store - phone link - after reboot issues

AlainCh2 0 Reputation points
2025-09-10T16:01:13.4566667+00:00

When activating and installing Phone Link everything works perfectly, until I reboot.

From reboot ..

a) The shortcut link in Apps, also the launch in System, Also starting it from Microsoft Store Direct or Library will put out an error message " could not be found or no permission".

b) Go to System App > Phone Link > Repair

nothing happens

c) Go to System App > Phone Link > Reset

App start working fine - all settings lost - Favorite Apps inside are not there anymore
Set all your things

Next Boot you'll be back to a)

Sample of the error message

2025-09-10 17 26 42

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Apps

1 answer

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Clary-N 15,730 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-09-11T01:08:24.64+00:00

    Hi AlainCh2,

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A and sharing the details of the issue. I understand how inconvenient it is when Phone Link works initially but fails after a reboot. I’ve outlined the steps you can follow to fix this below. Please check them in order:

    Step 1: Re-register Phone Link

    1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
    2. Run this command: 
    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone | Foreach { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" }

    Step 2: Check Folder Permissions

    1. Navigate to:

      C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\

    2. Locate the folder starting with Microsoft.YourPhone_.
    3. Right-click → Properties → Security → Advanced.
    4. Make sure your user account has Read & Execute permissions.

    Step 3: Remove and Reinstall Phone Link

    1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
    2. Remove the app: 
         Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone | Remove-AppxPackage
    3. Reinstall from Microsoft Store.

    Step 4: Create a New User Profile

    1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
    2. Click Add other user → choose Add account and follow the on-screen instructions.
    3. Sign in with the new account and test Phone Link after a reboot.

    For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official Microsoft support page at:

    [Article] How to Create a Local or Offline Account in Windows 11 or Windows 10

    Step 5: Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Repair Install)

    1. Download the Windows 10 Installation Media from Microsoft’s official site.
    2. Run Setup.exe and select:
      • Download updates, drivers, and optional features → Yes
      • Keep personal files and apps → Yes
    3. Click Install and allow the process to complete.

    *Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides:   

    How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 10

    Please let me know how these steps go, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like help with any part of the process. I'm here to help.

    If the answer helps, click "Accept answer" and vote "upvote". If you have additional questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: If you want to receive email notifications about this thread, follow the steps in our documentation to enable email notifications.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.