Windows 10: Various apps can't run

Problem:

Since a few days ago, various apps no longer run.

I reinstalled some of them, like Notepad++ and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, and those run properly.
However, the installers for some, like Google Chrome or Dropbox, also do not work (the window appears for a brief while and disappears after).

Among the apps that do not run is part of Microsoft Office 2010: most programs of it work, but:
PowerPoint fails to run altogether, with the error code 0xc000007b (it formerly used to instead display a message about msvcr90.dll missing);
Office Anytime Upgrade doesn't run, and displays a message about MSVCP90.dll missing;
Upon trying to run Word, "Microsoft Office Single Image 2010" runs instead and short after fails with the error code 1907, after which Word starts normally.

Attempting to use "troubleshoot compatibility" and selecting the "Try recommended settings option" fails with the error:
"There was a problem starting C:\WINDOWS\system32\pcwutl.dll. The specified module could not be found."

Aside from that, some applications (notably ones that utilize dlls) have suddenly had the "requires administrative permission" symbol (the blue-yellow shield) added onto their icons.



What I've tried:


- I used sfc /scannow and DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, both twice. Of note is that after the first sfc, Firefox stopped running, similarly to other apps with this issue, which was fixed by reinstalling it. The old version of Firefox was 32-bit, and the reinstalled one was 64-bit.


- I used regsvr32 on pcwutl.dll, which failed with the message:

The module pcwutl.dll was loaded, but the DllRegisterServer entry point was not found. Ensure that pcwutl.dll is a proper DLL or OCX file, and try again.",

as well as on mscvr90.dll, with the error message:
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\WINDOWS\system32\regsvr32.exe
R6034
An application has made an attempt to load the C runtime library incorrectly.
Please contact the application's support team for more information.


- I reinstalled all version of the Visual C++ Redistributables and .NET Frameworks that I managed to get my hands on.


- I attempted to use a System Restore Point, but as it turns out, I have none.


- I tried to reset my PC, but I want to keep my personal files, and this option isn't available for me, as the Users directory is on the D: partition.


- I tried to reinstall Windows 10 via installation media, but it didn't work: the installer got stuck in a loop.



What might have caused the issue:


A bit before the issues described here started, I installed Malwarebytes and ran a full scan.

For some reason, after that scan, all .exes have refused to run.

I quickly searched for a solution online, and found this registry file: https://bit.ly/2FiJ42v

Upon merging it, the issue of .exes not opening at all was fixed, but could this have not been as good of a fix as I thought it to be?

:)

 

Mail app will not open on 10041.


Hello Adam,

This is the suggested solution below if you haven't already tried it.

In this Windows 10 build 10041, the Mail, Calendar, and People apps may be broken due to a licensing issue with the Store Beta. To get these apps working again, you need to follow these steps:

• Open powershell as administrator
• Run the command Get-appxprovisionedpackage –online | where-object {$_.packagename –like “*windowscommunicationsapps*”} | remove-appxprovisionedpackage –online
• Re-install Mail, People and Calendar from the Store (green tile)

 

Microsoft Jigsaw and Solitaire apps will not load and run

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

As you are facing issues with Windows store download and Windows updates too, I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps:

Step 1: Try clearing the Store Cache:

• Press the Windows key + R keys.
• In the Run window, type
  WSReset.exe and click “Ok”.

Step 2: Also I would suggest you to run
Windows Store Troubleshooter and check if it helps:

1. Type Troubleshooter in the
search bar and click on it from the list.

2. Click on view all and select
Windows Store Apps and click next.

3. Follow the onscreen instruction.

Step 3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

I suggest you to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Follow these steps to run Windows Updatetroubleshooter:

• PressWindows key + W and type troubleshooting.
• Select Troubleshooting.
• Select View all on the top left corner.
• ClickWindows Update troubleshooter.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
• Check if issue persists.

Step 4:

I suggest you to check if the services responsible for Windows update is running. Refer to these steps:

• Press Windows key +R, type “services.msc”
• Locate the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and the
  Windows Update Services and check if it is running.
• If not, right click on the service and click start to start the service.

Hope this will fix the issue, if not let us know with the updated status and we will be happy to assist you further.

Thank You.

 

Core Apps not Running

Hi Bill,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. Appreciate your interest in using Windows 10.

I suggest you to run the App Troubleshooter by following the steps below and check if the issue persists:

• Type “Troubleshooting” in the search box and press Enter.
• Click on ‘View All’ on the top left pane.
• Click on “Windows Store Apps” from the list and follow the on-screen prompts for troubleshooting.

Hope the information is helpful. Feel free to
write to us for any other assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.