Microsoft’s Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has been rolling out to users since last week, arriving in stages. Some early adopters are finding problems with the semi-annual feature update. For example, users are reporting a specific issue where some apps are disappearing from Windows 10 for no reason.
Since installing the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, users see apps like Calculator and other OS apps disappear. Interestingly, this is not the first time a new Windows 10 update has removed apps. In this case, the lost applications cannot be opened via the Start Menu or via Cortana.
Users are unable to re-install the apps as the Microsoft Store lists them as “Installed” when you search for them. However, it is worth noting that the apps can be opened from the Store.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, but has yet to patch in a fix. We are not sure when that will happen, although the next Patch Tuesday would be a good bet. Either way, the company has issued a straightforward workaround to use for the time being.
In a support page post, Microsoft says users can either resent affected applications or uninstall and install them again. While that may work, the company says the best way to solve the problem is to re-register them using PowerShell.
PowerShell Fix
This second method is a little more complicated, but most users should be ok doing it. The following PowerShell commands will restore the apps. Some users say this method is not 100% effective. If steps 1 and 2 do not work, then this method will not function.
- In Cortana, type PowerShell. Search results, right-click Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
- In the Powershell window type the following commands. These steps may take a few minutes to complete.
- reg delete “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\TileDataModel\Migration\TileStore” /va /f
- get-appxpackage -packageType bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml”)}
- $bundlefamilies = (get-appxpackage -packagetype Bundle).packagefamilyname
- get-appxpackage -packagetype main |? {-not ($bundlefamilies -contains $_.packagefamilyname)} |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmanifest.xml”)}
- Once the PowerShell commands are completed, the apps should appear in the app list, and can be pinned to the Start Menu.
Microsoft says there is no guarantee any of these methods will work, so we are looking at a crap shoot until a permanent patch is issued. If you have experienced this problem, let us know in the comments below.
