Recent Windows 10 Update Caused most of my Programs to Break/Not Start

michaelma4 · 02 Oct 2016

I got a windows 10 update a couple days ago and ever since that day, I am unable to open most of my programs. Some programs that won't open include Microsoft Edge, Skype, Minecraft, League of Legends, etc. I can't even open the settings for my computer to try to reset my PC. Google Chrome will open but it only appears as a white box that is useless. Some programs that will open for me are the recycle bin, FireFox, and any folders that have programs or any other files in them.

When I start up my computer, I enter in my login info, and it brings me to my desktop. If I click the start button, it brings up the start menu. When I do something else however, I am no longer able to click the start button as it doesn't bring up the start menu. When I hover my mouse over the area to where the start menu should be, my mouse turns into the blue loading circle. I can't click anything when my cursor is the blue loading circle.

When I hit Ctrl+Alt+Del it only brings up a black screen where the only thing I can see is my cursor. I can get out of this black screen by hitting the esc key.

When I attempt to download something from FireFox, It downloads on my computer but then I am unable to execute it When I download something it usually asks for admin permission in the screen that makes the background go darker, but after this update I got it only makes the background darker and doesn't show the actual box with the information and Yes/No options to download something. In order for me to get out of the darkened screen, I can't simply press esc. I have to hit Ctrl+Alt+Del, then it takes me back to what I was looking at previously for a second, then goes black. Then I can press esc to go back to what I was doing.

I just recently right clicked my desktop and hit "Display Settings" and it brings up the error "ms-settings:display" saying "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel.

I have attempted to run system restore but to no success.
We got this computer back in 2013 and was originally Windows 8.
I can provide some screenshots of pretty much anything if that would help my case.

dalchina · 02 Oct 2016

Hello, which update would that be? You can check (if it works!) in Settings, Updates, Update History.

If it's 1607 (the anniversary update), you won't have any restore points (but what you wrote implied you did but trying to use one failed - how did it fail?).

And if it is 1607, you could roll back in the next 10 days.

Otherwise do you have the option of uninstalling it?

Please complete your system specs including Home or Pro and disk drives. Thanks.
System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums - Windows 10 Forums
What is your current build level? (Windows key + R, winver).

Do you use disk imaging to back up and protect your system (as we strongly recommend) or Windows Backup and Restore system imaging?

crock76 · 03 Apr 2017

i have the exact same problem, was working fine until last update 4/1/17. system restore errors as well. any insights?

crock76 · 03 Apr 2017

hi michaelma - i saw yr post and it was the only one i've read that listed all of the same symptoms my machine is exhibiting after the last update. by chance, were you able to determine the cause? i am contemplating a fresh install of windows but w/o knowing what caused it, am afraid it will happen again after clean install. were you able to deduce what the issue was? thanks in advance for any info.

dalchina · 04 Apr 2017

Hi, if by any chance your system restore error is 80070091 there is a possible fix in the very long thread I started some time back in the first 1 or 2 pages of a 24 page or so thread.

Just search for 80070091 if that's needed.

We've learnt not to rely on system restore alone- it's not robust enough when needed, especially with the major changes MS has been making, it seems.

michaelma4 · 22 Oct 2022

Hey all thanks for the replies, I managed to resolve the issue, but I don't exactly remember what the solution was. I do remember I did something to revert back to Windows 8 and I think I had to do so via BIOS. I did not have to do a hard reset/complete wipe of the computer and was able to keep the files on the hard drive. That's all I can remember, I don't have the computer in the original question anymore.