Solved Microsoft Apps wont uninstall and I cant update anything

imanlien2020 · Jan 20, 2022

I have been plagued by this problem for about a year now. Im on the latest public release fully updated and have ZERO issues with windows currently. EXCEPT, lol, I cannot uninstall any Microsoft apps first of all. Whether i go into the Microsoft store or do it from the start menu(Right click on say Groove Music and click UNinstall, Nothing works or happens.) I learned awhile back that if I didnt have UAC enabled I couldnt do anything with Microsoft apps. I had to have it enabled in order to update etc. Also any Antivirus that takes over the Windows Security and of course Windows Security is Disabled again I am unable to do anything. How do I know well..Lots of research and popups within windows that told me exactly that. Now. WHY am I being forced to use UAC or Windows Security when I DO NOT WANT TO? I was told VIA Microsoft Tech department I have to delete my Third party Antivirus and re-enable UAC and possible reset, Restore point or completely reinstall Windows because otherwise Microsoft Store and any of their apps will not be able to install, update or be deleted. So, with that all said. Im not doing any of that because it is MY CHOICE of what apps and settings I want to use. So what I am asking is does anyone here know how to be able to use, update and install anything from Microsoft store using MY choices for apps and settings. Thas complete BS dont you think. They are NOT going to control me its a free world man. I found the only way to use any Micrsoft apps was when I upgraded to Win11 before I installed any Antivirus (AVAST or Bitdefender, these are my choices) I installed the Microsoft Apps I wanted and then installed my Antivirus and changed all settings. The apps work however I am plagued with the inability to update etc.

glasskuter · Jan 20, 2022

I do not think you will find anyone here who would presume to know more than Microsoft technical support themselves. Handled correctly, I have not heard of any issues installing/uninstalling store apps or running third party anti virus protection. That said, just as MS advised you, you will have to get Windows back to a known good state if you want everything to work as it is supposed to....ways to do that a reset or reinstall.

ShamrockRig · Jan 20, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
I have been plagued by this problem for about a year now. Im on the latest public release fully updated and have ZERO issues with windows currently. EXCEPT, lol, I cannot uninstall any Microsoft apps first of all. Whether i go into the Microsoft store or do it from the start menu(Right click on say Groove Music and click UNinstall, Nothing works or happens.) I learned awhile back that if I didnt have UAC enabled I couldnt do anything with Microsoft apps. I had to have it enabled in order to update etc. Also any Antivirus that takes over the Windows Security and of course Windows Security is Disabled again I am unable to do anything. How do I know well..Lots of research and popups within windows that told me exactly that. Now. WHY am I being forced to use UAC or Windows Security when I DO NOT WANT TO? I was told VIA Microsoft Tech department I have to delete my Third party Antivirus and re-enable UAC and possible reset, Restore point or completely reinstall Windows because otherwise Microsoft Store and any of their apps will not be able to install, update or be deleted. So, with that all said. Im not doing any of that because it is MY CHOICE of what apps and settings I want to use. So what I am asking is does anyone here know how to be able to use, update and install anything from Microsoft store using MY choices for apps and settings. Thas complete BS dont you think. They are NOT going to control me its a free world man. I found the only way to use any Micrsoft apps was when I upgraded to Win11 before I installed any Antivirus (AVAST or Bitdefender, these are my choices) I installed the Microsoft Apps I wanted and then installed my Antivirus and changed all settings. The apps work however I am plagued with the inability to update etc.

It is a free world, but you are using theyre OS not yours. Windows is not yours. Like it isn't mine or anyone elses other than microsofts. I have UAC disabled and haven't had a single issue like you mention.
To uninstall windows apps i use revo which will allow you to remove a good chunk of em.

glasskuter · Jan 20, 2022

Devlin1888 said:
Windows is not yours

Amen to that. It's not like people who disagree with MS terms of use don't have other options.

imanlien2020 · Jan 20, 2022

glasskuter said:
I do not think you will find anyone here who would presume to know more than Microsoft technical support themselves. Handled correctly, I have not heard of any issues installing/uninstalling store apps or running third party anti virus protection. That said, just as MS advised you, you will have to get Windows back to a known good state if you want everything to work as it is supposed to....ways to do that a reset or reinstall.

Honestly? Um try buying a dell laptop and calling foreign tech support, being on the phone with their TECH support team. Have you ever? You would think NO one would or should know more then them right. NOT. So to say Microsoft tech support knows more than anyone..lol. Most definitely they do not. I am asking for help on this problem here you know why? Because there are many people on here who are WAY smarter and more tech savvy then any Microsoft employee. So again I ask for help from anyone on this forum for any and all help if any of you have had any similar issue or read or heard about ways around this or maybe there isnt and I guess in the end I just wont use Microsoft store and I dont have to worry about it, that would be the easiest way to do it. I am not reinstalling my OS or in place upgrade or any of that rubbish or switch to Linux or some other silly reply. So if anyone here can truely help here, I would be grateful to anyone with any or all help. Ty

glasskuter · Jan 20, 2022

Try running the store app troubleshooter-settings-troubleshoot-other troubleshooters-scroll down to "Windows Store Apps" click RUN

IanMosley · Jan 21, 2022

Try (the free version of) Revo Uninstaller Pro .

I've deleted those MS apps I have no need for, and they are NOT being re-installed from the MS Store or Windows update.
However, I suspect that when I do the next clean install of Windows they will re-appear.

jaree1961 · Jan 21, 2022

I have not had any of the issues you have mentioned and I use a 3rd party Antivirus.

To perhaps shed more light on the subject which may help others to possibly see a solution as you said you have had these issues for over 12 months.

Are you using Home or Pro version? (sorry but "current" version doesn't tell me much)

When you installed Win 11 was it a clean install or did you upgrade from Win 10?
If it was an upgrade install, it may have carried over existing issues from Win10.

Are these issues when you are logged on using a local account or Microsoft account?

Have you looked at the option of backing up your system to another drive, then wiping your OS drive and doing a clean install and then see if the issues still exist? (You can always roll it back later, but nothing ventured, nothing gained)

Fabler2 · Jan 21, 2022

Have you tried clearing the Windows store cache?

How to Repair or Reset Microsoft Store or Clear Windows Store Cache in Windows 11/10

Learn how to reset and clear & Microsoft Store Cache with WSReset.exe or via Settings in Windows 11/10. Helps fix problems with installing or updating UWP apps.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Ghot · Jan 21, 2022

@imanlien2020

I run Bitdefender, I have UAC OFF, and I used REVO to uninstall most apps.
Here is what I left... installed.

However... Bitdefender naturally blocked Microsoft Store, which I had to allow through Bitdefender's firewall, to download and install apps.

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore_22110.1401.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\winstore.app.exe

TheMystic · Jan 21, 2022

glasskuter said:
I do not think you will find anyone here who would presume to know more than Microsoft technical support themselves.

Although not specifically Microsoft, official support of most big names are usually terrible. Communities are any day better and should always be the first place to look for help.

So you found someone who believes (is confident) that community members and elsewhere are highly likely to know more than official support. For me, official support will be the last resort.

TheMystic · Jan 21, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
I have been plagued by this problem for about a year now. Im on the latest public release fully updated and have ZERO issues with windows currently. EXCEPT, lol, I cannot uninstall any Microsoft apps first of all. Whether i go into the Microsoft store or do it from the start menu(Right click on say Groove Music and click UNinstall, Nothing works or happens.) I learned awhile back that if I didnt have UAC enabled I couldnt do anything with Microsoft apps. I had to have it enabled in order to update etc. Also any Antivirus that takes over the Windows Security and of course Windows Security is Disabled again I am unable to do anything. How do I know well..Lots of research and popups within windows that told me exactly that. Now. WHY am I being forced to use UAC or Windows Security when I DO NOT WANT TO? I was told VIA Microsoft Tech department I have to delete my Third party Antivirus and re-enable UAC and possible reset, Restore point or completely reinstall Windows because otherwise Microsoft Store and any of their apps will not be able to install, update or be deleted. So, with that all said. Im not doing any of that because it is MY CHOICE of what apps and settings I want to use. So what I am asking is does anyone here know how to be able to use, update and install anything from Microsoft store using MY choices for apps and settings. Thas complete BS dont you think. They are NOT going to control me its a free world man. I found the only way to use any Micrsoft apps was when I upgraded to Win11 before I installed any Antivirus (AVAST or Bitdefender, these are my choices) I installed the Microsoft Apps I wanted and then installed my Antivirus and changed all settings. The apps work however I am plagued with the inability to update etc.

While we appreciate YOUR CHOICES, here is something I have found: it is usually very efficient and effective to give your device a fresh start than troubleshooting it. Unless you are in the tech business where newly acquired knowledge will help you with your work, it is best to go for a fresh start. Will save you a lot of unnecessary headache too.

The-Hive · Jan 21, 2022

This is worth a try, and it's free:)

O&O AppBuster - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

imanlien2020 · Jan 21, 2022

jaree1961 said:
I have not had any of the issues you have mentioned and I use a 3rd party Antivirus.

To perhaps shed more light on the subject which may help others to possibly see a solution as you said you have had these issues for over 12 months.

Are you using Home or Pro version? (sorry but "current" version doesn't tell me much)

When you installed Win 11 was it a clean install or did you upgrade from Win 10?
If it was an upgrade install, it may have carried over existing issues from Win10.

Are these issues when you are logged on using a local account or Microsoft account?

Have you looked at the option of backing up your system to another drive, then wiping your OS drive and doing a clean install and then see if the issues still exist? (You can always roll it back later, but nothing ventured, nothing gained)

Win 11 Pro version 21H2 (OS Build 22000.438) Public Release latest update version. But so your aware I realized this back in Windows 10. Same thing started happening at one point. Only reason I am inquiring now is well I do use a few apps from the store now and would like to use a few more and well of course also be able to update them. Again it seems Microsoft digs the hole deep by seemingly forcing one to use Windows Security and keep UAC on and well we've all seen what they tried to do with Edge browser of late by forcing everyone using windows to only be able to basically use Edge. And actually heres a pic of me trying to update apps..says "Something happened on our end". No if I reinstalled Win11, or uninstalled Bitdefender and used Windows Security and enabled UAC, then I am able to update perfectly. And for the record I do not have any corrupt Microsoft store files or settings etc. Ive done all the SFC scan nows and a bunch of other things. Im guessing in the end this is how it is and instead of wasting all your time or my own trying to figure this out sadly enough ill probably just have to not use Microsoft Store.

imanlien2020 · Jan 21, 2022

The-Hive said:
This is worth a try, and it's free:)

O&O AppBuster - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

Thanks for the suggestion, funny thing is I just used this app and it said it completely removed the apps. I restarted my computer figuring it's a good idea. But upon opening start menu those apps are still there, still able to open them and still cannot right click on them and select uninstall. Nothing is getting rid of these. I will check Revo Uninstaller again to see if that might do it.

glasskuter · Jan 21, 2022

TheMystic said:
So you found someone who believes (is confident) that community members and elsewhere are highly likely to know more than official support. For me, official support will be the last resort.

No. I responded in the most tactful way I could to someone who had made numerous changes to the way the core operating system was designed to work, but who expected certain features to work anyway without getting his system back into a stable state. Despite his and everyone else's opinion of official support (And I usually agree. Been there, done that as many of my previous posts attest), in this case the advice from MS was correct. It was the same advice that most everyone here would have given as a solution to his problem. He refused to take it.

imanlien2020 · Jan 22, 2022

glasskuter said:
No. I responded in the most tactful way I could to someone who had made numerous changes to the way the core operating system was designed to work, but who expected certain features to work anyway without getting his system back into a stable state. Despite his and everyone else's opinion of official support (And I usually agree. Been there, done that as many of my previous posts attest), in this case the advice from MS was correct. It was the same advice that most everyone here would have given as a solution to his problem. He refused to take it.

No wrong. I am using all advice here, especially those who actually gave me a few tips on things to do VS. just being dicks. I try to HELP people here not degrade them because they arent rocket scientists. So I am closing or asking to close this thread for fear of hate posts instead of Helpful posts in reply to my SERIOUS question. Ty to all who actually contributed common sense and tips for me.

ThrashZone · Jan 22, 2022

Hi,
Why do you use two antivirus apps
Do you feel twice as secure than just one ?

Winuser · Jan 23, 2022

I'm using Eset Internet Security instead of Defender and I don't have any problems with the MS Store or the MS apps. If you don't want to do a clean install perhaps a repair install will help. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

imanlien2020 · Jan 23, 2022

ThrashZone said:
Hi,
Why do you use two antivirus apps
Do you feel twice as secure than just one ?

Referring to Me? or someone else? I do NOT use 2 Antivirus, just 1. Bitdefender Total Security. I have No other type of Security installed or enabled.

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