Windows 10: Windows 10 Apps not starting anymore after moving Programs folders

Hello,

to free up space on my 128GB SSD C: drive I moved the "Program Files", "Program Files (x86)" and "ProgramsData" folders to another disk. Mainly using a Registry Search & Replace tool in Safe Mode (seach for "C:\Program" -> replace by "D:\Program") and then the Advanced Startup Troubleshooting Command Prompt and RoboCopy. After copy was finished, I created symbolic links with "MkLink" of the old folders to point to the folders on the new drive.

After restarting, everthing seemed to work fine at first. No problems with any programs installed, no error messages, etc. However, no Windows App is running anymore, like Calculator, Skype Desktop App, etc. Also left clicking on the date / time in the Taskbar to show the calendar is doing nothing. And right click on any icons of the Taskbar is not working anymore either. It just happens nothing.

I already reverted all the file and registry changes I made, but the problem still exists.

Going to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.1804.911.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe" and starting the "Calculator.exe", it throws error messages about missing DLL files like "vccorlib140_app.DLL", "VCRUNTIME140_APP.dll", "MSVCP140_APP.dll", etc.

Same if I got to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.SkypeApp_12.1815.209.0_x64__kzf8qxf38zg5c" and starting "SkypeApp.exe". Missing "mrt100_app.dll", "SharedLibrary.dll", etc.

However, if I do a file search for these missing DLLs, they are all being found in several folders like "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.25426.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe", "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe", etc.

I'm trying to fix the problem since two days already and tried several troubleshooting tools like "wsreset", "sfc / scannow", "DSIM", the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, etc. Nothing helped. It seems like Windows somehow lost the component registration information for those DLLs. I already tried to re-register some of the DLLs using RegSvr32, but with no success either. It is only throwing more error messages about other DLLs missing.

Do you have any ideas what I can do else? My last option is to reinstall Windows 10, but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

:)

 

Programs Missing From Start Menu (Windows 10)

My problem is that all my program shortcuts are in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs directory but most are displayed under the Windows Administrative Tools in the All Aps list. I tried the steps in copying all the contents of
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs to a temp folder. They were all listed correctly, outside the Windows Administrative Tools folder, there. Then I deleted the temp folder as stated, checked the All Apps list and nothing had changed. I've
tried creating a new folder and placing all of the shortcuts not in a subfolder in the new folder - but only 2 of about 20 appeared in the All Apps list. So far I see no rhyme or reason as to which display and which don't but will look into that later when
I have more time to mess with this.

 

Windows 10 assigning default apps from Program Files (x86) folder

Hi Vic,



Thank you for replying with the status of the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• In which drive have you installed Windows 10 OS?

When you download an app, the files and folders related to the app will get stored in the drive location where OS is installed. You can change the drive location from settings page by following the steps below:

• Press Windows icon key on the keyboard, type Settings and select the top most search result.
• Click on System and select Apps & Features from the left side panel of the window.
• Click on the downloaded app and select Move.
• From the list of the drives, select to the one you want to move and check if the changes are effective.

If the issue persist, I suggest you to run the Windows apps troubleshooterand
check if the issue is resolved.



Write back to us with the status of the issue for further assistance. Your reply is important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.