Windows 10: Microsoft Store error 0x800706BE and apps such as Calculator, Notepad, Paint etc. not...

This is the follow-up to the:https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-store-error-0x800706be-and-apps-such-as/1370f5dc-7ddf-46ea-b10a-31b51a7d9c9aI really wish Microsoft wouldn't lock threads, so users could reply with possible solutions. It's counter-productive to have all of those threads without a proper solution. There are tons of such posts and most of them are unsolved or contain useless solutions. The most irritating suggestion is to reset/reinstall your whole system. It's like nothing has changed since Windows 95 times. Please stop this.Back to the topic.Yet agai

:)

 

Microsoft Store error 0x800706BE and apps such as Calculator, Notepad, Paint etc. not opening

I've wasted many hours googling for a Windows 11 problem which presented itself in the following form:

• Microsoft Store error 0x800706BE appearing when trying to update apps
  
• Couldn't open Notepad, Paint, Calculator and other basic Windows apps
  
• In the Start Menu some Windows apps icons had no labels
  

Solution was found in this thread:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/963295/appxmanifest-xml-location

 

paint and notepad error

If the issue is only with Paint and Notepad apps, you can switch to the classic version of those apps for the time being.

1. Open Settings → Apps.
   
2. Expand “More settings” and click “App execution aliases.”
   
3. Disable the “Notepad” alias by turning off the radio button.
   

(Ref: Restore the Old Notepad in Windows 11)

Similarly, the classic Paint can be restored from the Windows 10 ISO.

 

Unable to open Notepad or MS Paint

I have a desktop PC with Windows 10. I use both Notepad and MS Paint frequently and they both recently stopped opening. Clicking the taskbar shortcuts to open them doesn't cause them to open; the mouse switches to the "loading" throbber, but reverts back after about a second without opening any windows. The same thing occurs when I locate the *.exe files in the system32 folder. There is no error message or change in state to screenshot.

The following descriptions say "Notepad," but in each case I have tried the steps for both MS Paint and Notepad, and I'm looking for help with both. Based on suggestions from around the internet I have tried:

1. running notepad as an administrator (both from the taskbar shortcut and by locating notepad.exe in the file explorer).
   
2. resetting the cache for the Windows store (using "WSReset.exe") and then running notepad.
   
3. uninstalling and then reinstalling notepad via Settings>Apps and features>Optional features.
   
4. restarting computer
   
5. updating computer and then restarting
   
6. uninstalling notepad, restarting, reinstalling notepad.
   

Windows specifications from Settings>System>About are:

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎1/‎16/‎2023
OS build 19045.2728
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0