[SOLVED] Most programs won't open or don't work - and some users can't use taskbar/start menu ?

[Dom28]

When I try to open the windows store, or any app installed through it, the app will open for a brief moment before immediately crashing. Programs like Discord, Spotify, Chrome, and the File Explorer work fine, however Steam will not load the store/library/etc after I log in.

There are also 2 other users who have the same issue except they are also unable to access almost all of the functions of the taskbar (can only launch pinned apps) and have no access to the start menu. The taskbar/start menu function normally on my user and the administrator account.

It also feels like the pc generally runs slower (or maybe I ran out of patience).

Everything functions properly while the PC is in Safe Mode. I also tried creating a new user to see if it was an issue with the existing user profiles. The new user had the same problems.


I have tried an SFC scan (which detected & repaired corrupted files but did not fix my issue), a DISM scan which came back fine, ran CHKDSK, used PowerShell to reset Windows Store apps, and made sure all the users had permissions to access the WindowsApps folder. None of this has worked.

I am currently using the newest version of Windows 10 and all of my drivers are up to date.

I greatly appreciate any help.

 

[Colif]

its clearly windows, as 3 users shouldn't have similar problems

If you on 21H2 then I would try a repair install - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html
it only fixes windows.

i just want to check drivers

Can you download and run Driverview - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

All it does is looks at drivers installed; it won't install any (this is intentional as 3rd party driver updaters often get it wrong)

When you run it, go into view tab and set it to hide all Microsoft drivers, will make list shorter.

Now its up to you, you can look through the drivers and try to find old drivers, or you can take a screenshot from (and including)Driver name to (and including)Creation date.

upload it to an image sharing website and show link here

All I would do is look at driver versions (or dates if you lucky to have any) to see what might have newer versions.

what make model is the boot drive?

 

[Dom28]

I ran a windows reset overnight (i went to bed before you responded) and now all users function normally except no user can use the windows store/apps still. You would click them but they would not open. After doing another WSReset, they open to the splash screen for a brief moment before crashing. I have also tried another SFC scan and the troubleshooter in the windows settings, neither of which detected any issues.

I don't think it's a driver issue but here is the Driverview screenshot in case I am wrong

what make model is the boot drive?

The boot drive is a WD 10EZEX

 

[Colif]

Try running the short and long scans - https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?lang=en&p=279

 

[Colif]

what motherboard is this?

AMD actually suggest not to use their SATA drivers

AMD SATA AHCI drivers for AMD 6-Series, 7-Series, 8-Series, or 9-Series chipsets are included in the chipset driver package and is compatible only with desktop systems running Windows® 8.1, Windows 7 or older (depending on chipset).

The AMD SATA controller component is not compatible with and will not be offered nor installed by the chipset driver package on AMD desktop systems running Window® 10 or using AMD Socket AM4 and Socket TR4 chipsets. Forcing a manual driver installation via Device Manager on these systems is not supported and may cause stability and performance issues with some mass storage devices, such as solid-state drives (SSD).

FAQ shows how to remove them, could be possible cause?
https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-250

 

[Dom28]

I ran short and long scans and both came back saying that there were no issues.
I also replaced the AMD SATA drivers with the Standard SATA AHCI Controllers. Still not fixed.

 

[Colif]

if it works in safe mode and its not a driver problem. it could be a startup program but do all 3 users use same startup programs?

Try a clean boot and see if it changes anything - make sure to read instructions and make sure NOT to disable any microsoft services or windows won't load right - https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

if clean boot fixes it, it shows its likely a startup program. You should, over a number of startups. restart the programs you stopped to isolate the one that is to blame.

 

[Dom28]

I did the clean boot and still no luck.

Also not sure if it is relevant at all, but I have noticed that some of the apps on the start menu are missing their logo (just an empty box with a name) and/or their name is messed up. All of the messed up names start with "ms-resource:"
For example, one of them says "ms-resource:AppFriendlyName"

Also I took another look in the settings and notice that every app from Microsoft Corporation is either 8 or 16 kilobytes.