Home How To Guide Solved: Microsoft store Apps missing after Windows 10 update

Solved: Microsoft store Apps missing after Windows 10 update

By following the steps outlined below, you can regain access to your apps and resume their normal functionality.

October 15, 2020

After performing a Windows 10 update, it can be disconcerting to discover that some or all of your Microsoft Store apps are missing. These apps, including popular ones like Mail, Calendar, and Microsoft Edge, are essential for many users. In this troubleshooting guide, we will explore the possible reasons behind this issue and provide you with effective solutions to recover your missing Microsoft Store apps on Windows 10.

After installing windows 10 update, some apps are missing from the Start Menu on some devices. The missing apps are no longer pinned in the Start Menu, nor are they in the list of apps. If I search for the app, Cortana is not able to find it and instead points me to the Store to install it. But the Store says that the app is already installed.

Contents

1 Restore the missing Microsoft Store app in Windows 10

Restore the missing Microsoft Store app in Windows 10

There are several possible reasons why Microsoft Store apps may be missing on Windows 10. App files may become corrupted or accidentally deleted, There could be problems during the installation or update process of the Microsoft Store apps, resulting in missing or incomplete installations. System file corruption can affect the functioning of Microsoft Store apps. If certain essential system files are damaged or missing, it can lead to missing apps.

Installing the latest Windows updates, reset or repair the problematic app, or repair corrupt system files with sfc utility help fix such problems on Windows 10.

Before proceeding with the solutions, it is recommended to restart your computer and check if the missing Microsoft Store apps reappear. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue.

Install latest updates

Whenever you experience problem on your computer, the first thing you need to check and install the latest Windows 10 updates. Latest Windows updates include bug fixes, performance improvements, and updates to system components that can affect the functionality of Microsoft Store apps. And most of time installing Windows updates can help restore missing Microsoft Store apps on Windows 10.

Update windows 10

Press Windows key + X and select settings
Go to Update & Security then in the Windows update section click on check for updates button,
Windows will now check for available updates. If updates are found, click on the “Install” button to start the installation process.
Once done, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Update Microsoft Store apps

Due to compatibility issue may the apps are hidden and causing apps missing on Windows 10. Let’s check and install the app updates.

Open the Microsoft Store on your computer,
Click on Library on the lower left then hit get updates button to check for available app updates.

If updates are available, click on the “Update all” button to update the apps.
Restart your computer and check if the missing apps have reappeared.

Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

Resetting the Microsoft Store cache can help resolve various issues with the Microsoft Store, including missing apps. It clears the cache and forces the Store to rebuild it, which can potentially restore missing apps

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “wsreset.exe” and press Enter. This will reset the Microsoft Store cache.
Wait for the Command Prompt window to close automatically.
Open the Microsoft Store again and see if the missing apps are now visible.

Re-register Microsoft Store Apps

Re-registering Microsoft Store apps can help restore missing apps on Windows 10. It essentially re-registers the apps in the system, ensuring their proper functioning and visibility. Here’s how you can re-register Microsoft Store apps:

Open the Start menu and search for “PowerShell.”
Right-click on “Windows PowerShell” and select “Run as administrator.”
In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Wait for the process to complete, and then restart your computer.
Check if the missing Microsoft Store apps are now restored.

Repair or Reset Missing apps via Settings

If any specific Apps causing an issue or missing then the Repair or Reset option is a handful solution.

To repair or Reset missing Store apps on Windows 10:

Open Settings, using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut
Select apps then Apps & features
Scroll down and find the name of the missing app (For example photos app).
Click the app and select Advanced options.

Here First Try the Repair option 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, Restart windows now the app should again appear in the app list and can be pinned to the Start Menu.

Repeat these steps for all other affected apps.

Reinstall the Missing Apps

Open the Microsoft Store app.
Search for the missing app in the Store’s search bar.
Click on the app, and then click on the “Install” or “Get” button.
Wait for the app to download and install.
Repeat this process for each missing app.

Perform a System File Check

Sometimes due to corrupted system files you may experience Microsoft store apps not opening or missing on Windows 10. Performing a System File Check (SFC) can help restore missing Microsoft Store apps on Windows 10 if the issue is caused by corrupted system files.

SFC scans your system for corrupted files and attempts to repair them.

Here’s how you can perform a System File Check:

Press Windows key + S type cmd and select run as administrator,
In the command prompt, type command sfc /scannow and press Enter
Wait for the scan to complete. It will check for and repair any corrupted system files.
Restart your computer and check if the missing apps are now restored.

Check User Account Restrictions

If your user account has certain restrictions applied, it may prevent the visibility or access to Microsoft Store apps. Let’s check and modify user account restrictions to fix such problem on Windows 10.

Open the Start menu and go to “Settings” (gear icon).
Click on “Accounts” and select “Family & other users” from the left menu.
Check if the affected user account has app restrictions. If so, click on the account and select “Change account type.”
Set the account type to “Administrator” and click “OK.”
Restart your computer and check if the missing apps are visible.

Did these solutions help to restore the missing Microsoft Store app in Windows 10? Let us know in the comments below, also read: