After system restore (keeping files), main Windows apps are gone.

Windows 10 Version: 2004 - OS Build 19041.508.


A file I had been working on got deleted, and I did not want to start over, so I went for a system restore.

Sadly, as you may know, Windows loves throwing the AppxStaging error and canceling your entire restore. So I searched for fixes, and after 2+ hours wasted, I did a restore keeping all personal files. After it finished is when I noticed nearly all Windows pre-installed apps were gone; Calculator, Weather, People, all Xbox apps (except Xbox One SmartGlass), and last but not least, the Windows Store.

An important note (I think): One of the fixes I used to remove the AppxStaging error was deleting the entire WindowsApps folder as I knew it'd restore itself anyway once I went back to a time when it existed. I don't think it would cause an issue as Windows comes pre-loaded with the WindowsApps folder, so it should of put the apps back anyway.

I've tried what I could find online for fixes, but it doesn't seem like anyone has quite my exact issue, so I figured I'd try my luck here.

The only fixes I've tried to restore the Windows Store is using a Powershell command that restores all Windows Apps, and another code that specifically targeted the restore of the Windows Store, nothing else. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

Ghot said:

Hello @Hulky Welcome to Ten Forums.

IF you got your file back... I guess I would try Windows Update, and see what effect it has on your WindowsApps folder, if any.

IF Windows Update doesn't fix the problem, I would just do an In-Place Upgrade. This will re-install Windows 10, keeping all your programs etc., intact. Make sure you save any irreplaceable personal files to somewhere other than your C:\ drive, just in case.

Get the Media Creation Tool here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

Save it to your desktop. Run the tool and choose the ISO option, and save that to your desktop as well.
Then... right click the ISO file and choose: Mount
Then... open File Explorer and you will see a new drive letter. (When I did it, it was a DVD drive)
Double click the new drive letter, and locate the setup.exe" file. Double click that, to run it.
When/if it asks, choose: Upgrade, 64 bit, save your files.

When it's all done you should have a shiny new Windows 10 install, WITH all your programs and personal files, intact.


THEN !!!!!

Immediately get Macrium Reflect 7.xx backup software (free), and make a full OS image backup of your Windows installation. After you do that... make the Macrium bootable rescue media as well. (CD or USB stick), so you can access your backups even if Windows won't boot.

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free


In the Tutorials section, there are tutorials for both an In-Place Upgrade and Macrium Reflect. But, I've given you the short version here.

An In-Place Upgrade will definitely leave you with a new WindowsApps folder, and all the Apps

I did not get my file back, so I'm gonna have to go with option 2. Now, the in-place upgrade, I'm going to do what I saw in the video I just watched: open the media creation tool, click Upgrade this PC now, click next, then keep my files, then I download Macrium Reflect 7, make a full OS backup, make a bootable media version as well, and voila. I'm good?

I want to make sure that's how it is as I don't want to be caught off guard when doing this. Thank you for the reply, by the way!

Ghot said:

In my experience, the ISO / Mount method is both faster and safer, cause it doesn't depend on the internet when DOING the Upgrade.
Plus... you'll then already HAVE the ISO (2004), if you ever need it again.
I've already had to do this once. Take my word, use the ISO/Mount method. ^^

Macrium Reflect is awesome, btw. Simply make a backup before you do anything that MIGHT have bad side effects.
If anything DOES go wrong, restoring from a backup is a quick and easy fix. Unlike System Restore... backups... work!



Here is my quickie guide to making a full OS image backup. Anything NOT shown is left at defaults...

So, is there a place I go to get a Windows 10 ISO for v2004? Or should I already have one at this point?

Ghot said:

The Media Creation Tool will automatically make the ISO (v2004).

That ISO can also be used to do a completely clean install, on another computer. You'll need a different product key ofc, but it's the same ISO used to make the Windows 10 install media.
So when you're done doing the In-Place Upgrade, save that ISO file somewhere safe.


You can ofc, rename it to something more descriptive, like, Win10 x64 v2004.iso (it's only like a 4GB file)



Just make sure that after you Mount the ISO and run setup.exe, that you choose Upgrade rather than Install. It should also ask if you want to save all your programs and files... answer YES or OK or w/e.







I really hate to admit it, but MS came up with a really good idea with this Media Creation Tool. I just wish they would also figure out how to make it so we didn't NEED it as much as we seem to.

We do seem to use it more than need to, huh? Anyway, I really appreciate the help. I'm going to get started with it since I'd like to get it over with. I'll keep you informed to let you know if it worked or not.

EDIT: I realized, what do you mean when you say to mount the ISO? I thought I just run the creation tool, then click upgrade instead of create?

Hulky said:

We do seem to use it more than need to, huh? Anyway, I really appreciate the help. I'm going to get started with it since I'd like to get it over with. I'll keep you informed to let you know if it worked or not.

EDIT: I realized, what do you mean when you say to mount the ISO? I thought I just run the creation tool, then click upgrade instead of create?

On top of that, is this what I should be seeing before I do the reset?