Some Programs Not Opening After Windows Update

metanoiance · 12 Sep 2019

I am having the exact same issue. I got a "forced" Windows 10 update last night. After updating Windows the following programs were no longer able to launch; NordVPN and MailBird. NordVPN appears briefly in the system tray (2-3 sec.) before disappearing, whereas Mailbird outright refuses to launch.

I too did a SFC scan which discovered and fixed corrupted files. This did not solve my issue however and I am still unable to launch these two programs. My OS is Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit).

dalchina · 12 Sep 2019

Hi, welcome to tenforums. Thank you for confirming this. What is your Windows build number?

As you have Pro, there is absolutely no reason for you to receive unexpected - so-called 'forced' by some- updates - if you use the features Pro provides.

With Pro you can set updates to 'Notify' so you get an Action Centre notification, and so deal with them when you wish.
You can set upgrades to be deferred to up to 365 days.
And like Home, you have Active Hours set to guard against unexpected restarts due to updates.
Then there are options to pause updates.. improved for Home in 1903.

Have you used these features? (Tutorials available if needed in the Tutorial section, or via general search).

Is there any reason why either of you could not upgrade to build 1903?

I too did a SFC scan which discovered and fixed corrupted files.

Recent problems with SFC scans over the last couple of months have been due to an MS problem related to a Defender build and using Storage Sense. The latest update is believed to have fixed this- at least for build 1903.

metanoiance · 12 Sep 2019

Thank you for the reply. You are absolutely right as to me having the ability to postpone the update thanks to Windows 10 Pro. I will make sure to adjust the notification- and update preferences for future updates.

As for the build, I am currently running version 1903 (OS build 18362.356) which was installed on the 26th of June. The updates which took place last night are as follows;

Some Programs Not Opening After Windows Update-capture.png

dalchina · 12 Sep 2019

Hi, Just installed and ran Mailbird ok (just setup screens) ..

MrOctober · 12 Sep 2019

dalchina said:

Hi, welcome to tenforums. Thank you for confirming this. What is your Windows build number?

As you have Pro, there is absolutely no reason for you to receive unexpected - so-called 'forced' by some- updates - if you use the features Pro provides.

With Pro you can set updates to 'Notify' so you get an Action Centre notification, and so deal with them when you wish.
You can set upgrades to be deferred to up to 365 days.
And like Home, you have Active Hours set to guard against unexpected restarts due to updates.
Then there are options to pause updates.. improved for Home in 1903.

Have you used these features? (Tutorials available if needed in the Tutorial section, or via general search).

Is there any reason why either of you could not upgrade to build 1903?

Recent problems with SFC scans over the last couple of months have been due to an MS problem related to a Defender build and using Storage Sense. The latest update is believed to have fixed this- at least for build 1903.

I tried to upgrade to 1903 last night, it went through the process only to fail at the end. I will probably just try a clean install and see if that works.

dalchina · 12 Sep 2019

I tried to upgrade to 1903 last night, it went through the process only to fail at the end. I will probably just try a clean install and see if that works.

Hi, it may be possible to resolve the failure, especially if the PC is newer. If you were offered 1903 by Windows Update, that indicates MS thinks your PC/drivers/software are compatible.

If not, then it may not be, as MS is systematically offering 1803 users 1903 now.

If you tried using an iso, bear in mind the above. Using an iso bypasses any such checks, and in that sense you are at your own risk. Using an iso and not accepting updates during that is the least problematic way to upgrade.

Standard recommendations apply as per tutorial 'Upgrading to Windows 10', which also gives lots of info on identifying what went wrong.

If a clean install is acceptable and you have all data backed up, licenses, and can readily re-install programs, fine.

In any event I recommend strongly that you make sure you have a current disk image of Windows and its partitions as it is now (Macrium reflect - free e.g.)

metanoiance · 12 Sep 2019

Uninstalling the following updates SOLVED the issue for me. Now I can open all of my programs again. Hurray! Won't have to reinstall Windows after all. Shame on MS for the quality of their recent updates.

Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10 Version 1903 (KB4514359)
Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems (KB4515384)

dalchina · 13 Sep 2019

Suggest you need to hide (block) those updates as they are problematic for you.

There is, of course, the question as to whether MS has failed to conform to a published standard in releasing these updates, or whether certain particular programs relay on undocumented features, and these have now changed.

You simply don't know. I'm not defending MS, merely pinting out that you're jumping to a conclusion.

Feel free to contact both the publisher, and MS via the feedback hub app (Win key + f).

Try this:

Hide or Show Windows Updates in Windows 10

margrave55 · 13 Sep 2019

It seems that "cumulative update" is sometimes synonymous with "punishment downgrade".

My company is slow to accept updates, insisting on thorough testing and review before pushing the updates.
I'm now running 1709 ... and I had 1607 until late last year.

Businesses often deem function more important than feature creep.

metanoiance said:

Uninstalling the following updates SOLVED the issue for me. Now I can open all of my programs again. Hurray! Won't have to reinstall Windows after all. Shame on MS for the quality of their recent updates.

Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10 Version 1903 (KB4514359)
Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems (KB4515384)

pav1 · 15 Nov 2019

Just confirming that I had the same problem, and uninstalling KB4515384 fixed the problem for me. I didn't have KB4514359, so it was not applicable.