It has been almost 6 years since Windows 10 came out! Boy does time fly. While Windows 10 is a great operating system and keeps adding improvements, there are some issues we run across on a regular basis. Below we have complied a list of common Windows 10 issues we deal with and how you can fix them.
Windows 10 Broken Updates
Keeping your computer updated gives you both new features and keeps your OS secure but, it is a common issue we see where updates are not working as intended. Windows 10 usually pushes 2 featured updates a year. These updates are fairly large and add to the existing windows capabilities. Unfortunately these updates tend to not install properly and require fixing. There is two common methods you can use to fixes these updates.
- Clear Update Cache — Follow these instructions we posted in the past.
- Install Windows 10 Using ISO Image
When updates do not install properly it’s usually easier to do a repair install of Windows 10 using the most recent ISO Image available from Microsoft. You download the ISO then double click the ISO to mount it to your PC. You will then go to the new drive letter and run the setup file. From here you will do an in place install of Windows 10 to keep your data and programs and update the operating system.
Metro Apps Broken?
Have you ever tried to click on the Start menu and nothing came up? Tried to open the calculator and it just would not open? These are some very common symptoms of Metro Apps, a new feature in Windows 10, being broken. If any of those apps that Windows 10 has built in just refuse to open, we can help. It’s actually a pretty simple PowerShell command, which you can copy and paste from below.
First, let’s open PowerShell. You can’t click the start menu, so here’s what to do:
Right click the taskbar anywhere there is some blank space. Click Task Manager. Go up to File, and choose “Run new task”. Now, check the box that says “Create this task with administrative privileges”. Type in powershell, and click OK.
Then, you can type in or copy-paste this command into the PowerShell window:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Hit Enter, let it run, and once it’s back at the prompt to type a new command. Close the window, and you should be back in business. If not, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!
Issues with Notifications
So, do you ever remember so many things popping up in the corner of your screen? I don’t think it used to do that. Let’s go over a few things on how to get less of those pop-ups.
Usually, when someone sends me a complaint about it, it’s Chrome notifications. The easy way to check is to open Chrome, and click the three dots at the top-right. Choose “Settings” and then look for Site Settings. Scroll down that list until you see Notifications, and click. By default, the allow list should have 5 entries for Google Docs, Drive, and Mail. Anything else is a likely accidental enabling of notifications from other websites. Check this list, and anything you don’t want popping up, click the three dots across from it. Choose Block, and the bottom-right corner of your screen should get a lot more peaceful!
For more information on managing notifications, click here.
Removing bloatware
Have you ever purchased a new computer and found lots of program already installed? Some of these programs are useful while others are what we consider bloatware. Bloatware is simply software that is not useful and is typically pre-installed on devices from the original manufacturer. This is frequently done to offset the cost of the device. A general rule of thumb is, the cheaper the device, the more likely you are to find bloatware on it.
If you haven’t purchased your device recently, it’s still a good idea to look for and remove bloatware. Some free software programs such as Adobe Reader will bundle software in the installation if you’re not paying attention when downloading it or even during the installation process.
Finding Bloatware:
- Hold the Windows Key and press “R” at the same time
- Type “appwiz.cpl” in the Run box and press enter
- A list of all installed programs are now visible
The programs found in Programs and Features do not include the modern apps which are obtained from the Microsoft Store.
Store Apps:
- Search for “microsoft store” in the search bar and select the first options
- Click the three horizonal dots in the upper right corner of the Store
- Click my library
- Finally, on the left, select “Installed”
Determining what is bloatware and what isn’t can be tricky. A good idea is to see if you remember installing the program. Be careful, though as you may be uninstalling a program you want or your computer needs to function properly. If you’re unsure, simply research the program on the web.
Startup programs
Have you ever turned on your computer and noticed it seems slow to start? A common symptom is programs starting up right when the computer turns on. Lots of programs want to do this but most don’t need to do this.
Find programs at startup:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time
- In Task Manager select the Startup tab
In this tab you can see all the program that startup when your computer boots up. To disable a program, right click it and select disable.
