Windows 10: How to reinstall WindowsApps applications without having to redownload everything

Good Morning,


After a Win10 reset, all of my WindowsApps installs are gone, which is expected.


However, the WindowsApps folder is still present (on D:, my second drive, as I install all big size apps on a mechanical HDD), but none of the apps within are recognized anymore by Windows Store.


Worse, if I try to select the D: drive to install new SW, it states "this drive belongs to another computer, selecting D: will erase all existing store content".


I have 400GB of data. On a xDSL connection at 15Mbps/s. I'm not going to redownload everything again...


So please please, is there a way to force Windows to recognize and register the content of the WindowsApps folder, without having to redownload everything.


I could understand if I had to download a few MB of data (encryption and such), but everything else ? Pretty much all store front end out there (Steam, Origin, Uplay, BattleNet, GOG, etc) offer this basic capability of reusing existing content.


Thanks for the help

:)

 

WINDOWSAPPS FILE

Hi,

For us to provide you an accurate resolution regarding your WindowsApps folder issue, we would like to know the following:

• Were there any updates made on your computer prior to this concern?
• Send us a screenshot of your WindowsApps and WindowsAppsOld folders so that we can double check the issue.
• When did the issue first begin?
• What troubleshooting steps have you taken so far to resolve this?

We look forward to your response.

 

WindowsApps folder says permissions are corrupted and need to be deleted, is this normal or critical?

According to your description, I suggest you try the following steps:

1. Navigate to the location C:\Program Files.
   
2. Right-click on the WindowsApps folder, and select Properties.
   
3. Turn to Security tab and click on Advanced.
   
4. Click on Change and then type Users in Enter the object name to select area.
   
5. Click on OK, then click Apply > OK. You can also add the TrustedInstaller to the users list and check if it takes effect.
   

However, you might be still not able to access the files. The workaround is to go inside the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\, and repeat the same way with the Microsoft.WindowsStore* folders.

 

Can't reinstall WindowsApps

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

We understand how you feel about the situation. We're sorry for the trouble.

1) What is the exact error you get while reinstalling apps?

I suggest you to check the with different user account.

To Create a new user account refer to the below steps:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Choose Accounts and then
select Other User Accounts towards the left.

3. Select
Add an Account.

4. Enter a
user name and hit Next.

5. Click on
Finish.

6. Sign out from the
current Account and Log into the new account.

7. Check if issue persists.

I suggest you to follow the below steps to reinstall Windows 10 default apps and check if it helps.

1) Open PowerShell as an administrator. To do this, click the Start button to open the Start menu, go to
All apps > Windows PowerShell and right-click on Windows PowerShell.

Click Run as administrator from the dropdown menu. You may see a pop-up window asking you if you want to allow this app to make changes to your computer -- click
Yes to proceed.

2) Type or paste the following code into the PowerShell window:

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"

3) Press the Enter key.

Hope this helps. Please reply to us with the status of the issue.

Thanks.