Windows 10 Apps not functioning on multiple PC's

Hi All.
It was brought to my attention yesterday that a users CALC had stopped working while using WIndows 10. Upon investigation, I found out that not only did his Calc not work, but neither Photos App nor Store is working.
Then later that same day, I discovered that 8 other users have also been affected with the same issue. The users are working on different hardware platforms, so I can only assume this to be software related and /or update related, as it is unlikely coincidental.

Other apps are working 100%, along with a stable internet connection. I've tried various 'fixes' but the more I think about it the more clear it is that this isn't an isolated incident of a problematic PC, as it is quite widespread.

If you require more details I can provide, but it's quite perplexing and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Ken

Thanks for trying to assist here. I'm glad I'm not alone after hearing someone else experiencing this :)

Here is the text copied from Event viewer while trying to run the CALC.

Unable to start a DCOM Server: App.AppX925nj842ef7p4yze5n55c6qy1ka00grz.mca as Unavailable/Unavailable. The error:
"15612"
Happened while starting this command:
"C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.1604.21020.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Calculator.exe" -ServerName:App.AppXsm3pg4n7er43kdh1qp4e79f1j7am68r8.mca

also, this below error occurs after normal bootup:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: App.AppX65azfy60a5wn91mcvdd3dr2y0wj02n39.mca as Unavailable/Unavailable. The error:
"15612"
Happened while starting this command:
"C:\Windows\system32\backgroundTaskHost.exe" -ServerName:App.AppXe9cvj1thv1hmcw0cs98xm3r97tyzy2xs.mca

We have other users on the same network , using the same cloned OS, ones on identical hardware and software platforms (including settings, Antivirus, & windows updates etc.), that are NOT experiencing these effects whatsoever.

The affected PC's are all up to date with latest OS patches, as are the ones that are not affected.

If they need it you could give them this while you figure it out : Old Windows 7 Calculator for Windows 10

yes, I did already install a 3rd party calc for them to use, but it's not only the calculator that's not working It's the store, the calc, the photos app and windows live mail too that's being affected. Paint seems fine though, just certain apps are affected.

APP CAN'T OPEN , goto the STORE (is the current error).

I did find this on one of the forums will try it out in the meantime.. Until then will keep you updated but if you could refer me to that link you talked about earlier on it'd be much appreciated.

login as Administrator
get command prompt
enter Regedit

Left side are the KEYS, right side is what they point to; aka the data

dbl-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
now navigate by dbl-clicking
SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows->CurrentVersion

RIGHT-CLICK on RUN->Find

enter this
LiveComm.exe

If it's found, the left side will still be Run
the right side will show three columns
Name Type Data
and under the Data column will be
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\microsoftcommunicationsapps_17.4.9600.16384_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\LiveComm.exe ....

If this is all TRUE, right click on the value UNDER THE NAME column -> go to Delete

If in doubt, change nothing, quit and start again

Now use the F3 key to find any other occurrence of LiveComm.exe; repeat the Delete IF FOUND

when no more are located, quit regedit and reboot normally

carlito4n said:

Hi Ken

Thanks for trying to assist here. I'm glad I'm not alone after hearing someone else experiencing this :)

Here is the text copied from Event viewer while trying to run the CALC.
...

I'm the guy from the other thread that is affected by the issue. I have the same DCOM error but different event id.

lx07 said:

If they need it you could give them this while you figure it out : Old Windows 7 Calculator for Windows 10

That will come handy. I was actually thinking in installing some alternative apps in the meantime like the calculator, an image viewer to replace the Photos app, the calendar, well, that's another story... I need the events on there not a replacement. :-\

carlito4n said:

I did find this on one of the forums will try it out in the meantime.. Until then will keep you updated but if you could refer me to that link you talked about earlier on it'd be much appreciated.

Please report back if it works, I already tried a bunch of solutions, you can ask Caledon Ken :P
You can follow the whole progress on the link he kindly shared.

Scottyboy99 said:

Those pesky native apps are the worst thing about windows 10, they are so prone to breaking. I’ve had problems in the past and fixes that have helped restore functionality. You probably already tried but could be worth going into settings, apps and finding the offending apps. Click advanced and then select to reset the app and see if that yields joy.

bit riskier but worked for me too in past is to download ccleaner. Find something like calculator in the list and uninstall it. Now go back into store and redownload it. Trouble is if you say store isn’t working either then you won’t be able to get into it to redownload. You could remove / uninstall the store app itself in here too. But once removed I don’t know how one goes about reinstalling the app (maybe one for a guru on this forum)

there is also system restore if you have it switched on. But you would need to know when the apps worked last and hope you have a restore point from prior to them breaking.

There are powershell commands that have been suggested too but tread carefully as I think I tried one once and it wreaked havoc. Breaking more apps than it fixed and only a system restore saved me. Again prob one for a guru on these steps

Worth a shot.

Caledon pointed in the related thread about reinstalling the store apps including the store itself but it didn't work on my side. Here is the link on how it is done:

Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

Didn't work for me either. . Every single method of fix produces either errors or just nothing.
Also, LIVECOM.exe nowhere to be found in registry.
I think it may be time to start uninstalling updates?
One thing to note is that all affected PC's are connected to a specific switch, while others on the network (with identical hardware/software setup) seem not affected.
I know it's a long shot but could this be network related?
*edit.. forgot to mention that it's unlikely it's network related.. have tried both WIFI and 3G options with no avail.
I will post back when I find any solid results