Windows 10: Gray Window Pop-up in Microsoft Apps

This is a really annoying bug that makes it impossible to use Microsoft To Do or sign into any other Microsoft app, which I believe has been occurring since the most recent Windows 10 update. In Microsoft To Do, very frequently a gray window as shown will pop up, blocking the view and access to the app until it is closed:



I noticed that the same gray window pops up when I attempt to log into any Microsoft app such as Microsoft Edge or Microsoft OneNote with my Microsoft account, leading me to believe that this is the sign-in window, which isn't showing properly.

Please fix this bug as soon as possible, since it's practically impossible to use Microsoft To Do otherwise.

:)

 

Start Menu Apps are Grayed-out

Many of the apps and folders in my Windows 10 Start Menu appear "grayed-out" and I don't know why (see screenshot below).





Some of the apps are from the Windows Store. When I open them, I sometimes (but not always) get an error message that says the app can't open (pictured below). Reinstalling the app from the Store usually fixes this issue. But this only happens with some of the Windows Store apps. Sometimes, they are grayed-out and they open just fine.





Not all of the grayed-out apps are Windows Store apps. Some are just regular Windows programs (for example, "Access 2016" in the screenshot above). Also, some of the folders are grayed-out too (for example, "7-Zip" in the screenshot above). I can still click on them and launch them if they are grayed-out. They are just colored gray instead of the usual white.

The items that it chooses to gray-out seem to change randomly throughout the day. Everything is fine when I first turn on the computer, but they quickly start turning gray as the day goes by.

I've tried the solutions here and here, but they didn't work for me. Most of the sites I've visited seem to be focused on fixing the Windows Store apps in particular, and don't address the broader issue of random items being grayed out.

Some sites suggested doing a Windows reinstall, but that seems like overkill (and it may not solve the root cause).

I tried updating my video card drivers, but that had no effect.

My computer is only a few months old and came with Windows 10 pre-installed.

I'm running Windows 10 Pro version 1703 (OS Build 15063.540)

This question has been cross-posted in the following locations:

• Microsoft Community forum
  
• Dell Community Support
  

 

Microsoft Edge Pop-up Blocker

Hello,

I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

• 
  Open Microsoft Edge.
  
• 
  Click on (…) at the top right corner.
  
• 
  Click on settings.
  
• 
  Click on View Advanced Settings.
  
• 
  There you will be able to manage Pop ups.
  
• 
  If you don’t want then you will be able to turn on/off.
  

Please refer to the link below.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows-10/block-pop-ups-in-microsoft-edge

Hope this helps, keep us posted.

 

Microsoft is purging a lot of low quality apps from the Windows Store

"Microsoft is sending emails to some Windows Store developers informing them that their apps have been removed from the Store for violating its quality standards."

"Neowin reports that app developers have been receiving these emails over the past couple of days:

In its latest review of the Store, Microsoft is evaluating if the published apps are good enough to be listed in the Windows Store. This includes publicly available apps as well as private beta apps. Additionally, Microsoft is also asking developers to delete any promotional campaigns for their apps to prevent advertising charges. Similarly, app name reservations are also being nullified; which means that if your app is unpublished, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to republish it under the same name.

Officially, the policies for the Microsoft Store says that apps must have "distinct and informative metadata" and "provide a valuable and quality user experience". There are also some specific standards that must be in the apps, including having a name that is not similar to another app or device, along with offering a description that is accurate about its features and functions.

There have certainly been many Windows Store users who have complained over the years about the large number of apps published that are clones of other apps or ones that are simply poorly made. Hopefully, this new move by Microsoft will help to curb these issues, at least for now."

Microsoft to remove low quality apps from Windows Store