How to Restore Functionality of Store Apps After Windows Update Broke App Registration — The PowerShell Re-Register Trick That Worked

After a recent Windows update, many users have found that their built-in Store apps—including Calculator, Calendar, Photos, and even the Microsoft Store itself—stopped functioning properly or vanished entirely. Clicking on app tiles results in nothing happening, errors are thrown, or apps simply refuse to launch. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Fortunately, a tried-and-true solution involving PowerShell may help restore full functionality without the need for a full system reinstall.

TL;DR

Windows updates can sometimes break app registration, causing default Store apps to malfunction. A common and effective fix is to use a specific PowerShell command to re-register these apps with the system. This method can repair broken apps or restore missing ones without complicated troubleshooting or a Windows reset. Read on to learn how to do this safely and effectively.

What Causes Built-In Windows Apps to Break After an Update?

Windows updates are designed to improve the overall user experience, fix bugs, and enhance security. However, it’s not uncommon for these updates to unintentionally disrupt native applications. Here are some typical causes:

• Corrupted app registration files: Updates may overwrite or conflict with existing app configuration, causing corruption.
• Permission changes: Security policies or file ownership might be altered, preventing apps from launching.
• Incomplete update process: Interrupted or partial updates can leave apps in a semi-installed or inaccessible state.

One immediate symptom you might notice is that apps like Mail, Calendar, Groove Music, or Microsoft Store will no longer respond, or you may receive an error code such as 0x80070005 or This app can’t open.

The PowerShell Re-Register Trick: What It Is and Why It Works

PowerShell is Microsoft’s task automation and configuration management tool. With administrator privileges, PowerShell allows you to execute commands that can manipulate core aspects of Windows—such as re-registering Windows Store apps.

The script we’ll use forces Windows to “re-register” its native apps, effectively reinstalling them logically without affecting the system files. It’s a safe and efficient fix that has worked for thousands of users post-update.

Preparation Steps Before You Begin

Before you jump into PowerShell, follow these precautionary steps:

• Create a System Restore Point: Though this process is generally safe, having a restore point ensures you can revert changes if anything goes wrong.
• Close All Open Apps: Make sure no Windows apps are currently opened to avoid conflicts during the registration process.
• Run as Administrator: You’ll need elevated privileges to execute the necessary commands.

Step-by-Step Guide to Re-Register Store Apps Using PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

Use one of the following methods:

• Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)
• Alternatively, press Win + X and then press A

2. Run the Re-Registration Command

Once you’re inside the PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

This command does the following:

• Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers: Retrieves all installed app packages for every user account.
• Foreach: Iterates through each installed app.
• Add-AppxPackage: Re-registers the app based on its manifest file (AppXManifest.xml).

Note: It might take several minutes to complete. You’ll see some progress in the form of warnings or information logs. This is normal.

What to Expect After Running the PowerShell Script

After the command finishes executing, here’s what you may notice:

• Store apps that were broken may now launch correctly.
• Missing default apps may reappear in the Start Menu.
• Error messages like “This app can’t open” should no longer occur.

If some apps still do not function, restarting your system often resolves lingering issues. In rare cases, you may need to create a new user profile or perform an in-place Windows upgrade, but these are typically unnecessary after re-registration.

Alternative Commands for Specific App Repair

If your issue is isolated to one app—like the Microsoft Store itself—consider using a more targeted command:

Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

This is especially useful if re-registering all apps feels excessive or if you only want to fix a known faulty app.

Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Although effective, the PowerShell method isn’t completely immune to complications. Keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t interrupt the process: Allow the script to finish fully to ensure all apps are successfully re-registered.
• Check for typos: A small typo can render the script ineffective. Always copy and paste to avoid errors.
• Keep Windows Updated: After restoring functionality, ensure you have the latest cumulative updates, which may fix underlying system bugs.

What If PowerShell Doesn’t Work?

If apps remain broken even after re-registering them, consider the following secondary solutions:

1. Use the Windows Store Troubleshooter: Found under Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Create a New User Account: Sometimes, corrupt profiles won’t respond to PowerShell scripts.
3. Perform In-Place Upgrade: Using the Windows Media Creation Tool, you can reinstall Windows over the existing copy without loss of data or apps.

Preventing Future Issues

While you can’t completely prevent update-related bugs, you can minimize the chances:

• Delay non-critical Windows updates: Switch to semi-annual or deferred update channels.
• Back up your system weekly: Regular snapshots can save you hours of troubleshooting.
• Monitor Windows feedback forums: Before applying major updates, check known issues and user reports.

Conclusion

Windows updates occasionally bring unintended side effects—like broken or missing built-in apps. Thankfully, PowerShell provides a powerful, relatively simple fix through the re-registration process. Whether your Microsoft Store won’t launch or your Photos app has mysteriously disappeared, using the PowerShell script can save you from the frustrations of reinstalling or resetting your PC.

So the next time your Store apps fall victim to an overzealous update, don’t panic—open PowerShell and take back control of your system.