Windows 10: Latest Windows update 20H2 completely broke my WindowsApp folder

Many apps no longer run after trying to update to the latest release. Just spews out the usual "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file" error message when launching them. This is mostly affecting my installed games, maybe around half of them are now dead weight on my hard drive. In terms of troubleshooting, I've tried re-installing the affected apps, running the built-in Windows Store troubleshooter, running wsreset.exe, re-installing and re-registering all apps through PowerShell, and even going as far as completely rolling back the update that has caused me so much grief. Nothing worked.


I also tried creating a second user account and installing the games there to see if my user became corrupted through good ol' fashioned Trusted Windows Updates, but doing so procced a completely different error; Upon trying to install, I get error code 0x80070005, supposedly a permission issue. So, I give up. What do I do to fix this?

:)

 

Windows Updated(16299.309).KB4088776 Restart is required to complete.

Hi dalchina. Good news, I followed your suggestion and reinstalled the update and now it appears as "installed correctly" *Biggrin Maybe it was not necessary to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or maybe if necessary. But using it I do not think it could have worsened something. The installation was very fast, unlike the first time it showed step 1 and step 2 completed.

Thanks for the suggestions and for the time to respond Best regards.


And thanks for the tip of that program, I'll have it on my list.

 

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.