Reinstall default apps from image file

gezginrocker · 27 May 2018

Hi,

I've messed a lot with the pre-installed apps, but now decided to reinstall them.

I've deleted everything under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. Then I copied the same directory from Windows ISO and pasted there. Also I set the folder to default permissions.

Then I entered the following command at Power Shell: Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

It processes C:/Windows/SystemApps fine, but gives this error for others: Add-AppxPackage : Cannot find path 'C:\AppXManifest.xml' because it does not exist.

I also found a script at MS site called reinstall-preinstalledApps. But when I run it, gives this error:

Add-AppxPackage : Cannot find path 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_2018.312.1947.1000_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxMetadat a\AppxBundleManifest.xml' because it does not exist.

dalchina · 27 May 2018

Two relatively simple ways if the Powershell commands won't work (see Tutorial below)-
a. in-place repair install of existing build (See tutorial if unsure) this keeps all progs and data
~~b. upgrade to build 1803 (assuming that's problem free for you!)~~

That should repair most other damage you may have done.

For reference:
Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

gezginrocker · 27 May 2018

Thanks. I've already updated to 1803, but it didn't reinstall apps. So probably I'll have to go with your first option.

dalchina · 27 May 2018

Sorry, just realised I was wrong about the upgrade- upgrades now respect the fact that you've uninstalled apps. (True for the last 2 or 3.. they hadn't used to). However upgrading should have corrected permissions, so the Powershell command might then have been expected to work, if that was what was stopping it. If, however, you've done something since upgrading to 1803 that stops that working, an in-place upgrade repair may fix it.

gezginrocker · 27 May 2018

Np, thanks anyway. I've changed the owner to Trustedinstaller, and now I can't enter the WindowsApp directory.

dalchina · 27 May 2018

Try an in-place upgrade repair, or if you were very lucky, Tweaking.com's repair tool (free) might help if you only select the permissions repair.

(Before hacking the OS you shuold make sure you have a current disk image (e.g. Macrium Refect (free) ) which you can then restore if things go wrong- without technical help or other lengthy trial and error attempts. We strongly recommend its routine use).