Solved Windows 11 - what settings would stop some Apps running but allow others ?

Hi am running the latest 23H2 build including all optional updates but seemed to have changed a setting that has stopped a number of previously reliable apps running, but allows others to run correctly incl some from same publisher.

The apps hang on initialisation where a process is started, memory allocated but 0% cpu, disk and net work activity reported -they are not reported as Apps in task manager.

One clue is that my system has not been offered 24H2 in windows update despite enabling the use latest update button.
out of frustration I tried doing an online install, ran the MS health check but this too hung.

I have reset security settings to default, ran system health check but to no avail.

Has anyone seen this before or could offer any pointers to what I have studiply done please?
All advice gratefully received

Hi, welcome

Could be Smart App Control?



There are ways you can update to 24H2 if you want it.

Download the ISO you want



Install via an In-Place Upgrade, keeping you Apps & Settings etc



You haven’t filled out your system specs properly so I will ask, is your PC supported for 24H2?

It would be helpful to know what apps?

DigiteerUK said:

they are not reported as Apps in task manager.

Click to expand...

Many apps are migrating to be widgets, like Outlook New is now a webapp, running as Edge.

Thank you all -
I will check smart app control.
the odd thing is the random nature of the Apps:

Originally it was two digital photography Apps - all not from Microsoft store
FastRawviewer v2 FastRawViewer
Portrait Pro Body v3 PortraitPro Body although the company’s original product Portraitpro v24 works as normal
But last night AOMEI Backup AOMEI Backupper | Best Backup Software for Windows PC and Server hung in the same way while initialising too so I suspect there will be others effected that I haven’t found yet :-(

BTW, deleting and reinstalling does not work - they install correctly without errors just hang when trying to run.

Using the same technique I use when helping others by asking “what changed?” I remember reviewing my security settings last week and making a couple of changes as recommended - so logically this might be the cause.

However I have used Windows ‘restore security settings’ feature but it has made no difference . Does anyone know what could do this - maybe different settings applied to apps installed for All Users vs single user? (I’m clutching at straws here I know!)

One thing I have not tried yet is a restore to a previous good state. Finally nuclear option is clean install via ISO to 24H2 as suggested. But if they work, I’ll never know the stupid thing I did so might do it again! Finally this is not common - search engines are giving zero results - more evidence that it is something I have accidentally.

If anyone could point to a list of recommended security / app control settings I could check against, I’d very grateful indeed.

OK - solved it - the issue was simply that my FreeNAS server had failed !
I have it mapped in windows as Z:/ so all those Apps hung on initialisation as they couldn’t resolve the drive

Thank you for all your ideas