Suddenly some apps won't load anymore

I'm not sure what changed-maybe an update. But the other day I noticed my calculator app would not open and now my photos app won't. I managed to uninstall the photos app but when i tried to reinstall it from the windows store, it won't work. I clicked on install and it just flashes and does nothing. I'm signed into the store. I can live without the calculator (but I'd rather have it) but I really don't want to open pictures in a separate program just for quick viewing. Please help. thanks.

my system (as much as I can figure out-my son built it for me).
Windows 10 home edition
Intel i5 processor
MSI motherboard
8 gb ram

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:


1) winver (in the pop up about windows > view your windows version and build > type this information into the thread)


2) sfc /scannow


3) dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth


4) chkdsk /scan



5) net user test /add

When these have completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on copy > paste into the thread

6) shutdown /r

When the computer reboots sign on with the new user named test.

Please report in the thread the performance after running scannow, restorehealth, scan, and using the new user named test.

Please clarify if you are having any problems with the Microsoft store.

Hello gale :)

There are various ways you can approach this.

1. You could try the Windows Apps Troubleshooter

2. If you are on the newer W10 version you can Reset individual apps such as the Calculator App.

See how you get on with these two and report back.

philc43 said:

There are various ways you can approach this...

Another possible approach is to reinstall and re-register the built-in Windows apps, either individually or all of them.

Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 10

Or try an in-place repair install....

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

...which I now see that philc43 has already suggested for your related 'Defender' issue.

Wow-overwhelmed. Thanks for all the advice. I'll read through and try them one by one.

I should also mention that I can no longer open my windows defender security center. I don't know if that's related or not. I believe windows defender is running-it says so in the services window. But I can't make any changes or adjustments or anything.

philc43 said:

Hello gale :)

There are various ways you can approach this.

1. You could try the Windows Apps Troubleshooter

2. If you are on the newer W10 version you can Reset individual apps such as the Calculator App.

See how you get on with these two and report back.

I tried resetting the calculator app and it doesn't work. I do have the old calculator installed now so I can use that but it bugs me that apps are just gone or not working. I don't see the photos app in the list at all.

The troubleshooter didn't find any problems.

gale said:

I should also mention that I can no longer open my windows defender security center. I don't know if that's related or not...

It is. The Windows Defender Security Center is another 'modern windows app', just like the other apps you can't open.

In the mean time, the old-style Defender UI is still available in Creators Update. See this tutorial...

the older Windows Defender Antivirus is still available in Windows 10 if you prefer to use it instead of the newer Windows Defender Security Center.

Create Windows Defender Antivirus Shortcut in Windows 10

ok I'm doing the thing in the first reply.

windows version: v 1703 OS build 15063.413

when i do the scan now command it says this:
You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility.

I am the only person who uses this computer so I'm not sure how to make that part work.

When I do the restore health thing it says this:

Error: 740Elevated permissions are required to run DISM.Use an elevated command prompt to complete these tasks.

chkdsk says this:

Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges.You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode.

I didn't bother going any further. How do I make these work?