Despite the mileage Windows 8 gained, several users complained, and are still complaining, about the malfunctioning of preinstalled and downloaded Microsoft store (metro) applications. Whenever one tries to open an application (usually a metro app from the tiles) either they don’t open completely, or the screen flashes and then the app opens and closes immediately. Other users report a complete freezing of the screen forcing a restart. These applications include, weather, photos, maps, browsers and even the store app itself. In some cases, the store app might function, but when you try to install an application, or uninstall then reinstall the problematic applications, all you get is an error. In order to give working solutions to this problem, this article will explain why this problem occurs, and follow up with solutions to the stated occurrences.
Why Windows 8 apps will not open
This problem is usually caused by corrupt files. This can be corrupt application files that are necessary to launch apps, or even a corrupt user account. Corrupt application files will terminate applications, while corrupt user accounts will not allow permission to launch apps. Other than files being corrupt, the store application cache might be corrupt. Applications usually check for licenses from the store among other things through the cache. A corrupt store cache will force the apps to crash or even freeze. Below are the solutions to this problem. If the first method does not work for you, move to the next and so on.
Method 1: Scan for and fix corrupt files using command prompt
Running a scan on your disk will find and fix corrupt files. To do this simply:
Method 2: Reset the store app cache
All your metro apps are tied to your store app. To reset the store app cache, follow the steps below.
Method 3: Log out and log back into your account
Windows 8 and 8.1 have a known bug where an account fails to initialize properly hence this problem. If you have not updated your OS, try logging out (not shut down or sleep) and then log back in to your PC.
Method 4: Troubleshoot and Fix Store App Issues using ‘AppDiagnostic’ tool
The apps diagnostic tool finds and attempts to fix issues with your application. To attempt this fix:
Method 5: Register and initialize AppxManifest.XML using PowerShell
You can also run this script that works for others: “powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage –DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\ImmersiveControlPanel\AppxManifest.xml”
Method 6: Allow all application packages permission to access windows apps
To allow permissions to all apps to run:
Method 7: Create a new user account
In the case where your account is corrupt, this method will help you create a new account and move your data into the new account. Step 1: Change the problematic user account to local Step 2: Rename the user Step 3: Create a new account Step 4: Move files and delete old account
Method 8: Refresh Windows 8
Refreshing Windows 8 will restore the OS back to its default settings and files. This will replace bad configurations and corrupt files. Before you refresh Windows 8, you must know this first; you will lose some installed programs but that is arguably better than your apps not functioning at all. Here is what will happen when you refresh your PC: 1. Your files and personalization settings won’t change, 2. Your PC settings will be changed back to their defaults, 3. Apps from Windows Store will be kept, 4. Apps you installed from discs or websites will be removed, 5. A list of removed apps will be saved on your desktop. To refresh windows 8:
Fix: You need to fix your Microsoft Account for apps on your other devices to be…Fix: Calendar and People Apps not working in Windows 10Fix: Windows 10 Apps Not WorkingFix: Third Party Apps Stopped Working after Creators Update
