Windows 10: Programs Not Opening in Windows 10

When I switched on my W10 PC this morning, 23rd February, I could not start programs e.g. Chrome, Thunderbird, File Explorer or even Autoroute!, whether from the Task Bar or from the Desktop. All that could be seen to happen was that Night Light went off briefly then resumed, while the hour-glass icon flickered on and off again. Turning off Night Light brought no improvement. Clicking "Start" had no effect. While trying to open programs, all icons disappeared from the Task Bar except those for Start, Search and Task View. Right-clicking icons on the Desktop brought this same result as left-clicking, whereas right-clicking on icons on the Task Bar at least brought up the usual list of options, although clicking on them.


All except: Calculator, Paint, the Snipping Tool, Excel 97 but not Word 97, and Notepad which generally open from the Task Bar, as will Edge. From the Desktop, IrfanView 64 opens, as do Lightworksx64 and wxtide32, and right-clicking on them will even open the file location in File Explorer which won't open from the Task Bar.


I tried switching off Real Time Protection in Defender, and then Chrome opened, but I've since formed the opinion that this, and Thunderbird eventually opening after many attempts were random events unconnected to whether AV was on or off.

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Why did the startup window get cleared?

I didn't missed any step, the list was gone and gone , even after using lot of programs the programs were not listed in that list.

 

Windows 10 installing progs

I decided to take the plunge and upgrade to windows 10 from 7. I used the Media Creation Tool from MS website. It took awhile, but I am finally running Windows 10 (12-14).

I opened the new App & Program feature to remove programs that I no longer needed. Scrolling down the list, I was horrified! Apps that I didn't install somehow magically installed themselves. Two programs stood out: Facebook and Candy Crush Soda Saga. Both programs have those tale-tale icons that they came from Windows Store (which I've never even opened). The install date for both of them were on 12-26.

Is this a common thing for Windows 10? Or is it because I did an upgrade and not a clean install?