Solved Cannot access default apps

cmart6 · Jul 16, 2024

Newly installed Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 22631.3880 (2/2024). I have been able to install and use programs like Emsisoft anti-malware and Brave browser. Today I wanted to try Outlook, which is one of several apps shown in "Installed Apps. But I couldn't open it or any other default app.

I'm knowledgeable in Win 10 but Win 11 is all new to me. (I did remove Widgets in Win 11.)

Thanks,
cma

antspants · Jul 16, 2024

Hi, welcome to the forum

Disabling widgets shouldn’t do this.

Try the simplest thing first.

Open search on your PC and type CMD, right click on CMD and “Open as admin”
Click on the following command to copy to the clipboard, paste it into CMD. Press enter:

SFC /scannow

Reboot your PC when finished.

After reboot:

Right click on CMD and “Open as admin”
Click on the following command so it copies to your clipboard and paste it into the CMD window. Press enter:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Press enter and be patient.

Berton · Jul 16, 2024

What are some of the other Apps that won't work? Outlook has 2 versions, one is replacing Mail and the other comes with Microsoft Office suite of applications. This is my latest/cheapo Win11 Home Notebook that included Microsoft 365 for 1 year:

antspants · Jul 16, 2024

A search says you could try the following also:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

If issues, run restorehealth again.

antspants · Jul 16, 2024

Where did you get the Windows 11 image from?
What process did you use to install Windows 11?
Is your PC Windows 11 compatible? (Not that it really matters)

cmart6 said:
(I did remove Widgets in Win 11.)

When you say remove, do you mean disable or have you used something you found on the net to actually remove them? (Could be your problem)

antspants · Jul 16, 2024

There is another way to check on your system covering the commands I have posted for you.
At the bottom of the first post in this thread is a download button for a batch file. You can download and run it. Again, patience is needed.

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FreeBooter · Jul 16, 2024

Maybe your antivirus software causing the problem.

cmart6 · Jul 17, 2024

Antspants, I will try this tomorrow. Thanks to all who have answered.
Johanna

antspants · Jul 17, 2024

cmart6 said:
Antspants, I will try this tomorrow. Thanks to all who have answered.
Johanna

Johanna, can I ask? How did you ”remove” the Widgets?

cmart6 · Jul 18, 2024

I forgot how I removed Widgets, though I think it was in Settings. I did it to remove weather on Taskbar.

cmart6 · Jul 18, 2024

Berton,
Did you get MS Office with Win 11 Pro? That's a great freebie. I'll like for it in my Apps.
Thanks, Johanna

cmart6 · Jul 18, 2024

I'm pretty sure I just uninstalled Widgets. Windows generally makes it real hard to uninstall key installed apps. I paid for full retail version of Win 11 Pro. It installed OK except that it recognized only 1 of 2 internal SSDs. So Windows only sees C: drive with Windows 11 installed.

I didn't format the two Samsung internal SSDs. That might have been my mistake. I think that during Windows install, Windows found 1 of the internal drives, formatted it and then installed Win 11 Pro. Now I have to figure out how to get Windows to recognize the other internal SSD but that question probably belongs in a different elevenforum.

cmart6 · Jul 18, 2024

I want to thank all the experts, especially antspants, for the helpful answers as problem is solved. I tried various ideas and who knows which one helped. Now I can click on Settings/Apps and then click on an app to open it.

Great work, guys! Now I just have to figure out how to get Windows 11 to see the 2nd internal drive. I don't want to push my luck today as I've enough success with Windows for one day.

andrew129260 · Jul 18, 2024

cmart6 said:
I want to thank all the experts, especially antspants, for the helpful answers as problem is solved. I tried various ideas and who knows which one helped. Now I can click on Settings/Apps and then click on an app to open it.

Great work, guys! Now I just have to figure out how to get Windows 11 to see the 2nd internal drive. I don't want to push my luck today as I've enough success with Windows for one day.

Right click your start menu and choose disk management. It should pop up with a box to immediately initialize the disk. You can then format it as ntfs.

cmart6 · Jul 18, 2024

Andrew, that is beyond fabulous. I'll try it tomorrow. I can't believe it could be that simple. Let you know then.

Berton · Jul 18, 2024

cmart6 said:
Berton,
Did you get MS Office with Win 11 Pro? That's a great freebie. I'll like for it in my Apps.
Thanks, Johanna

No. The only non-trial version of Office I've received is Microsoft 365 on a new Win11 Home Notebook, it's good for a year. I've had several versions of Office over the years but had to pay except for about 15 years ago when I was in the Partners Program. OEMs used to include the inexpensive Microsoft Works with new computers until it was discontinued after version 9.

cmart6 · Jul 19, 2024

cmart6 said:
Andrew, that is beyond fabulous. I'll try it tomorrow. I can't believe it could be that simple. Let you know then.

It worked very well. The only aspect that gave me pause is that the default Quick Format (NTFS) was instantaneous. Should I have chosen an alternative?

Berton · Jul 19, 2024

cmart6 said:
The only aspect that gave me pause is that the default Quick Format (NTFS) was instantaneous. Should I have chosen an alternative?

There's no issue with the Quick Format, doesn't take very long like the Full Format requires. The Full is better if a drive has had data on it to assure nothing remains.