Windows 10: System Restore fails: AppxStaging %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApp 0x80070091

Hey, many thanks! I am 73 years old and mostly blind now and use a text-to-speech screenreader these days to navigate and listen to the Internet, et al. I was able to follow most of this thread and resolve my problem with System Restore and the windowsApp folder. I did not use the CMD prompt however. I gained control of the folder using the prompts in Windows 10 and then was finally able to rename the folder by using cntrl-alt-del and signing out and then back in (instead of using exit and restarting in Safe Mode). Anyway, once I renamed the windowsApp folder, System Restore started working again and a new WindowsApp was created with all the apps restored. Many thanks for leading me in the right direction to fix this problem without needing to do a full system image restore. You are the best!!!

 

After this fix is applied does System Restore continue to work indefinitely or does it mess up again?

 

I have created a number of new restore points and all have worked so far.

 

Good question, I am also trying to not so much fix my current system restore as much as trying to figure out what is really going on here.

1. If I rename delete the WindowsApps directory will that fix it until the next time I create a restore point then it will be broke again?

2. Is this effecting everyone on Windows 10 right now, but not many people use System Restore so you do not see many complaints?

3. What is in the WindowsApps folder? I am guess that is not where the actually restore points are stored or deleting that folder would not help much. Is this where System Restore puts files while doing the restore or something and since it can not access the folder it fails, but if you rename or delete the folder it can create a new folder and starts to work fine, if so again, what is causing this issue to happen?

 

WindowsApp appears to store all the tablet-type apps one uses or downloads from the Microsoft Store.( Lots of Bing-related apps.) I have not deleted the original folder and only renamed it. however, the restored folder is working fine and numerous additional restore points I have subsequently created have all worked fine.

 

They're basically the same questions I have. I do know that System Restore is broken on both of my desktop computers and I'm thinking this problem is more widespread than we realize.

 

Let me just say that I think it is a mistake for Microsoft to not push the use of System Restore more, the fact that it used to be on by default helped me help a lot of people.
I have had friends call me many times with a virus they can not get rid of and system restore helped a ton, and I could walk them through fixing it themselves.
The fact it was on by default it what made it so helpful.

 

I was referred to this thread because I am having the same problem-error occurred during system restore (0x80070091)

I tried the suggestion in #4 but got error messages on these


C:\Windows\system32>rd /s "C:\Program Files\Windows Apps"
C:\Program Files\Windows Apps, Are you sure (Y/N)? y
The system cannot find the file specified.

C:\Windows\system32>rename "C:\Program Files\Windows Apps" "C:\Program Files\WindowsAppsold
The system cannot find the file specified.

Could somebody please help me with this

 

"C:\Program Files\WindowsApps"

 

Hi there!

I think you will find the problem is widespread, along with slow start and black screen from Shutdown or Restart; absent in Hibernate. I have had both AppxStaging and black screen on a recent fresh installation. The black screen for ages issue was a corrupted User Profile and the resolution is on Windows Central. These are probably related isues.

How to fix black screen problem on Windows 10 | Windows Central
How to fix black screen problem on Windows 10 | Windows Central

How to use a local account to fix issues on Windows 10 | Windows Central
How to use a local account to fix issues on Windows 10 | Windows Central

Initially Cortana broke with CCleaner, WinUtilities and Privazer running and Piriform got working on that and a week later it was resolved. I have System Restore AppxStaging issues on two computers. At one point I couldn't use a System Image to restore because the Ext-HDD didn't display the location.

This is a fragile component of Windows 10 and needs urgent work.

Good luck.

 

I have just applied this "fix". Found it in another forum, but the same method. It worked for me with the only problem being that no matter what I entered to attempt to rename the WindowsApps directory it just wouldn't accept it. I tried every possible combination of [drive] [path] filename imaginable but kept getting a syntax error report. I ended up just using rd to delete the directory and System Restore is working.

I should point out that this error with System Restore is affecting Windows 10 installation immediately upon completion. Brand new system is failing straight away. I did it 3 times from different Installation media with the same result each time. So then I found this fix.

I too have the question: Will this problem return or does one time fix it for good?
Also: Does the now working System Restore automatically overwrite the change in Ownership forced in the fix?

 

Thanks glivo...before I go back into safe mode is this the cmd you used rd "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps"

I have tried several different ways as well to no avail...kept coming up access denied

did you follow these steps also ?


1st
takeown /f "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /r /d y

2nd
icacls "C:\Program Files\Windows Apps" /grant administrators:F /t

or grant USERNAME

3rd
rd "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps"


Thanks for your help

 

Please note, as I found out, the first and last quotation marks on each command are not entered at the prompt. Also note that Program Files has a space whereas WindowsApps does not. I have 'fixed' this up a bit from the original as the original post to me on the other site ended up wit ha few syntax errors that I had to deal with along the way. This should work. Get rid of emoticons. If I put a space in the syntax is wrong.
Here is the method as suggested: (some spacing fixed)
1-Boot into safe mode;
2-Right click on the start button, left click on "run prompt as admin" or something;
3-type " takeown /f "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /r /d Y"
4-type " icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /grant "%USERDOMAIN%\%USERNAME%"*SadF) /t " and press enter;
5- type "rd /s "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" if you want to delete the folder or either "rename "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps(old)" " if you prefer to rename it;

Note:
rename command did not work for me with that syntax or any variation that I tried.
dir /w command did not show the directory but I was able to delete it using the command suggested here.

 

I'm having the same problem, neither the rename or delete cmd are working for me...I get access denied or
syntax is wrong could somebody repost those here how to rename or delete the windowsapp folder

Now I get this

C:\Windows\system32>RD /S C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
C:\Program, Are you sure (Y/N)? y
The system cannot find the file specified.

It's in there I see it any ideas ?

 

are you missing the quotes around C:\program ...
** rd /s "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" **

Or rename with
Code:
rename "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps(old)"