Windows 10: System Restore broke all of my downloaded apps; audio is broken still

After a series of Windows 10 updates last week, I started having audio issues - I would get 'cannot find your microphone' messages on Zoom and then audio would be cut. I did a system restore (has always been a go-to fix) and when my computer rebooted, I couldn't open any of my apps, including my Microsoft Office apps. I undid the System Restore and got most of them back (not Camtasia 2020 though - even with an uninstall and reinstall - still won't open).

I still have my audio issue though - I won't double post, but feel free to move this question to that section if needed. I cannot record system audio using Camtasia 2019 from Zoom ('your microphone is not working. please check your connection or use a different mic.') even though I checked the mic before joining the meeting and it worked. I try changing the audio when I get the message, and it appears to work, but still won't record.

I join these meetings muted, either by me (muting via Zoom) or with all participants muted by the presenter. As soon as I get this message - about 4 minutes into the meeting - I can no longer speak in the meeting but I can hear, and the system audio stops being recorded by Camtasia. This has always worked fine for me prior to last week - I have done this for years. Camtasia does record system audio just fine from YouTube, etc. - it seems like it is just an issue with live meetings. Any ideas? My current Windows 10 is KB2993939 and then after that, KB4565633. I have paused updates for the moment.

Thanks!
Deb

:)

 

Realtek audio broken with update, Also microsoft chat is broken

My audio is ruined with this last update, i've done every step and recommended action listed by microsoft and every suggestion on the first 20 pages of google search. Realtek is no longer showing up anywhere, like microsoft disabled it, microsoft chat is
also broken, requesting to speak with a human brings you to a couple options, all of which are broken and clicking on "chat" closes the window and nothing happens, this is absolutely disgusting, i've spent the last 4 hours trying to get my tablet, my audio,
and microsoft support to work.

way to treat your customers....................

[Moved from:Windows/Windows 10/Windows update, recovery, & backup]

 

Audio Completely Broken in my HP Windows 10 PC

Hi Greg, I tried all of the steps you listed in order and my audio still remains the same I'm not sure what else to do because this is now the second time I have reset my PC and my audio still has a red x.

 

Store app broken

Still have the problem, even after a reboot. I'm not sure what update broke this, but I think I'll have to do a System Restore back a couple of days.