Windows Apps wont open or appear in apps, only the search menu

Preston 20 Reputation points
2026-07-11T02:48:59.2+00:00

My apps like Xbox and Microsoft store dont work, steam works though. I was troubleshooting a game when copilot told me to run multiple power shell commands like "Get-AppxPackage gamingservices | Remove-AppxPackage -allusers

" and "Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage -allusers

", now i cant open my xbox games or use the microsoft store, the feedback hub (windows + f) also doesnt work, please help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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satyam kumar 80 Reputation points
2026-07-11T07:27:32.81+00:00

Hi Preston, those PowerShell commands removed Gaming Services and the Microsoft Store packages for all users lol, which is most likely why Xbox and other built-in Windows apps stopped working. I would avoid running any more Remove-AppxPackage commands.

First, restart the PC and press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. This resets the Microsoft Store cache. Then open command centre as administrator and run this one at a time

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

sfc /scannow

And if the apps are still missing

Then go to Settings → System → Recovery → Fix problems using Windows Update → Reinstall now

It will reinstall yr current windows and repairs yr system contents and will preserve yr data as well

Hope this helps!

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  1. Naga Neeraj Pasupuleti 0 Reputation points
    2026-07-11T07:29:21.81+00:00

    The PowerShell commands you ran removed the Gaming Services and Microsoft Store packages for all users, which is why apps like Xbox, Microsoft Store, and other built-in Microsoft apps no longer work.

    Before doing anything else, avoid running additional Remove-AppxPackage commands.

    Try the following steps:

    1. Restart your PC.

    Press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. This resets the Microsoft Store cache.

    Open Command Prompt (Administrator) and run these commands one at a time:

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    sfc /scannow

    Restart your PC after both scans finish.

    If the apps are still missing, go to:

    Settings → System → Recovery → Fix problems using Windows Update → Reinstall now

    This reinstalls your current version of Windows while keeping your personal files, installed apps, and most settings. It repairs missing or corrupted system components, including built-in Windows apps.

    If the issue persists even after the repair install, you may need to re-register the Microsoft Store and reinstall Gaming Services using PowerShell or the Microsoft Store.

    I hope this helps!The PowerShell commands you ran removed the Gaming Services and Microsoft Store packages for all users, which is why apps like Xbox, Microsoft Store, and other built-in Microsoft apps no longer work.

    Before doing anything else, avoid running additional Remove AppxPackage commands.

    Try the following steps:

    Restart your PC.

    Press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. This resets the Microsoft Store cache.

    Open Command Prompt (Administrator) and run these commands one at a time:

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    sfc /scannow

    Restart your PC after both scans finish.

    If the apps are still missing, go to:

    Settings → System → Recovery → Fix problems using Windows Update → Reinstall now

    This reinstalls your current version of Windows while keeping your personal files, installed apps, and most settings. It repairs missing or corrupted system components, including built-in Windows apps.

    If the issue persists even after the repair install, you may need to re-register the Microsoft Store and reinstall Gaming Services using PowerShell or the Microsoft Store.

    I hope this helps!

    Was this answer helpful?

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