Windows 10 Programs Won't Open

We recently upgraded to Windows 10. For the most part, things seem to be running better, but it now seems that programs that had worked at some point after upgrading have ceased to function. For example, I've used Calculator once, I believe, in Windows 10. Now if I click it, it does nothing. Restarting the computer does not help.

Currently, I have one frustrated family member for whom Microsoft Solitaire Collection no longer runs, though it runs just fine in my setting. Any tips to restore full functionality would be greatly appreciated.

 

Minor problems after an upgrade are pretty common. The best solution, and is what I ended up doing, is a clean install of Win 10, but that is a pita as all your desktop software has to be reinstalled. For now you could try running the system file cleaner and see if that helps. Open a command prompt 'As Administrator' and type sfc /scannow. The Solitaire Collection runs online so, if the internet is otherwise OK, should also be. Is that problem on a different computer?

 

I failed to mention I had already read about and tried sfc and dism. sfc found no issues and the issues still exist after running dism. It's not an internet issue. Her setting can browse the web just fine. I just noticed whenever you click an item, it has a small animation like a button has been pressed down. This occurs then nothing happens. The animation reverses as if a button were let go and the menu remains open. Whether I access it through all apps, a pin, or Cortana, the result is the same. The click is ignored.

 

Anything that can be done to avoid a reset? The latest thing to stop working is a big one: I can no longer open the Windows menu or Cortana in my setting. Even pressing the Windows button does nothing. So far, this seems to be my setting only. This is in addition to the solitaire collection not working in one setting and Calculator failing to work in any setting.

 

Sometimes the hard way is the easiest way. I had to do a clean install after upgrading Win 7 and experiencing numerous problems I couldn't resolve. Save yourself some time and frustration and reset it.

 

Earthling - does what you say hold true if a person has received the free WIN 7 to WIN 10 upgrade??? In other words how can a fresh install be done after performing the upgrade? Wouldn't an .iso or a disk be required for a clean install in that type of a situation? Just trying to gain knowledge on this as I'm getting close to considering the Win 10 Free upgrade on my laptop. Not looking forward to all of the Win 10 potential problems though.

Dekade

 

Resetting 10 is easy, regardless of how you acquired it. Yes, there is an ISO you can download if all else fails, but Settings > Update and Security > Reset this PC will give you a fresh install of 10, either retaining your personal files or not - your choice. You have to reinstall and reconfigure any desktop software you want.

 

I did not realize this. I thought I would be left with the upgrade and no recourse for freshening things up. However, is the 7 to 10 upgrade a flat out new OS install - so to speak. **Or** - does the Win 10, upgrade off of the 7 files, and then the registry retains some 7 entries along with new 10 settings/entries???

That being said will the process of Win 10 upgrading from Win7 EVER yield the same "FULLY fresh install" characteristics of a fresh install of Win10? Like, from - say - a Win 10 OS DVD; where Win 7 is out of the picture completely? Won't 'Resetting the PC', as you said, just bring the same issue of potential old 7 entries/settings right back into the picture? Thus promoting and messed up Win 10 install? I remember the same nature present from XP to 7. But, seems that there are being more strange issues with 7 to 10.

However - here again - we are back at the outstanding nature of having system restores available in the first place. But, how good are those sys backups if there are any old Win 7 entries present in the new Win10 system backups?

Am I making myself understandable or have I muffled it all up? I know where I'm going with all this but I think I might be jumbling it all up.

 

I recommend reading this excellent help page by Microsoft. All of your options for recovery in 10 are explained clearly and simply. I haven't tried Reset myself as the only way of doing it when I upgraded from 7 was with a downloaded ISO, the Media Creation Tool. That is still available and gave me a clean install but I believe Reset to be equally good. The many user-friendly features MS has added to 10 are often misunderstood and still looked on with suspicion by many. I've been using it intensively on this laptop since release last July and consider it a superb system, though I have turned off most of the 'phone home' features with O&O ShutUp10.

 

You are giving me the feeling Dekade that you consider System Restore to be a backup of your system, which it most definitely is not. For that you have to create a system image. All SR does is monitor changes to system files (only) that have happened since the last system restore point was made. By reversing those changes it can take your Windows system back to the previous restore point. It is a very handy feature that can often correct minor issues but cannot be relied upon to give you a working system again should you experience serious system problems.

 

Absolutely not Earthling. I knew I should have reread my post more thoroughly. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that a system image is the only true means of a MAJOR all inclusive restore. I am now loving the fact that I am locked into the "system backup" arena/practice for the first time since 1994. I also fully concur on the MINOR aspects of System Restore. However, thanks for wanting to straighten me out in the event that I did not understand.

What I was trying to find out was whether or not - when upgrading from Win 7 Pro to Win 10 - would that maneuver be equivalent to a 'brand new Win10 install' ??? OR - would remnants of Win 7 remain? Also, I need to investigate if there is such a thing as Win10 Pro. I don't want to downgrade during the "Free" upgrade. And finally, since I have the key for my Win 7 Pro, does that key allow me to get a Win10 'only' ISO in case I ever want to wipe out my hard drive and start over again - or for that matter switch to a SSD?

By the way I will be enthusiastically reading the links you provided. I also like hearing of your user experience and in turn pointing out the misunderstandings that people might be falsely incorporating into their personal experience(s).

 

Absolutely not, the most obvious difference being that (most of) your desktop software is carried over. While for most ppl the upgrade does work well, for some - including me - it does not. In that situation you can do either a clean install or use Reset. I haven't used Reset but have read elsewhere that it does the job.

The upgrade gives you the 10 version of what you currently have, so Pro upgrades to Pro, x64 upgrades to x64.

Your Win 7 key will be converted to a Win 10 key and that can be used at any time to do a fresh install of 10. The Microsoft article explains.

 

Thanks Earthling