Users who were early to update to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update have been reporting an issue where certain apps are going missing from the start menu, but will still show up as installed in the Microsoft Store. The issue is very frustrating but a temporary fix has been shared on the Microsoft Answers forum (via Neowin)
The complete fix can be seen here, as shared by Neliton Dec, a Microsoft Support staff member. Although Microsoft is currently investigating the issue, users should try to Repair or Reset the missing apps, Uninstall and reinstall the missing apps, or re-register the missing apps via PowerShell. Here’s a look at two of the simple fixes:
- Open Settings, and select Apps.
- On the Apps & features tab, find the name of the missing app. Click the app and select Advanced options (if available).
- If a Repair option is available, click Repair. If this option is not available, or if Repair does not resolve the issue, you may also try the Reset option, though you might lose any app data that was saved.
- Once the repair or reset is completed, the app should again appear in the app list and can be pinned to the Start Menu.
OR
- Open Settings, and select Apps.
- On the Apps & features tab, find the name of the missing app. Click the app and select Uninstall.
- Open Store and then reinstall the missing app. Once installed, the app should appear in the app list, and can be pinned to the Start Menu.
If the simple fixes do not work, or if a lot of apps have gone missing, Neliton Dec recommends for users to re-register apps using PowerShell. This is for advanced users only, and it is noted that if the above methods do not work, the PowerShell method would likely not work either.
- In Cortana, type PowerShell. In the 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.
In the event that none of the above fixes work, it is being recommended for users to go back to the previous versions of Windows, or reset the PC and remove all apps, settings, and drivers. Microsoft is likely working on a more permanent fix for the issue, so it’s best to keep tuned for more information. We will be following closely and will update you once a more permanent fix has been published.
