Windows 10: Update broke Cortana/search and most windows programs

The frustration level is through the roof. I already formatted my system once after the anniversary update ruined it and it's happened again.

Had a bunch of automatic updates in December and the number of things that broke is staggering.

I no longer have cortana nor the search bar and the following apps all broke

calculator, alram clock, calendar, camera, get started, groove music, mail, maps, soltair, movies & TV, one note, stick notes, store, voice recorder and weather.

Screenshot of my updates
https://i.imgur.com/gM2oBCz.png

Remove updates
https://i.imgur.com/MmZIcPk.png

from the remove updates the only ones that allow me to uninstall are the two most recent ones under Microsoft windows.
I uninstalled those but nothing changed. I also cheked for updates and reinstalled them and the problems are still there.

I'm also running bitdefender 2017 and malwarebytes if that helps.

I'm basically thinking to now format again and just disable updates indefinitely.

:)

 

Cortana no longer responding to searches

Well, that was short and sweet. Cortana search isn't working today. I updated my 950xl to .420 version yesterday. Didn't check Cortana right away so not sure if the update broke it, or something else has broken Cortana.

 

Cortana not finding local documents

Thanks, did all the things. Also did sfc and dism. Also checked locations under Indexing Options. Also rebuilt index.

It is still broken. Broke after updating to Fall Creators Update.

This is seriously afu.

How do I stop Cortana and revert to plain Windows Search?

 

There are a lot of folks running systems similar to yours. I do not run Bitdefender and don't run Malwarebytes in real time.

So, I will ask,can you think of anything about your system which may be involved in your problems? Have you made any modifications to a Win 10 normal install, such as moving certain folders to another location.

Are you showing any recurring warnings or errors in the Event Viewer?

Is this a clean Win 10 install or an upgrade from a prior OS?

 

Other than Bitdefender and Malwarebytes somehow possibly messing up the update, nothing else I can really think of . The only folders not in normal places are program files for games which I install on a separate hard drive. During the normal install I didn't change anything. This is a clean install and not an upgrade

In the event viewer I see a bunch of errors regarding not being able to start BITS, Cortana, windows store, one note. There are a lot of them and im assuming I would find an error for every one of those programs I mentioned. These are all under the application logs

Under the system logs there are a bunch of cortana errors too.

It's such a mess.

 

Are your restore points enabled and if so do you have one from November.

If I were you after you invoke the restore I would tell windows that you will handle all driver updates. Before you do that, assuming you are using wireless, set it to a metered connection to hold up updates while you perform the following.

To disable driver updates, Control Panel, System and Security, System, on left Advance System Settings, Hardware Tab, Device Installation settings, click No. This may cause a menu to open. Pick I’ll decide.

After the restore I would also run the Update trouble shooter to ensure when Windows does goes to update things are clean.

Type troubleshooting in the Cortana search bar, troubleshooting appears at top. Click it, window opens, lower right side "Fix problems with Windows Update", click, click on Run as administrator. Should run clean. If it doesn't run again.

Please consider trying out Macrium Reflect to perform regular disk images. They will save you a ton of grief and the product is free.