Issues with Installers and Microsoft applications

Hi John Portugal

This my 2nd follow-up regarding your "Issues with Installers and Microsoft applications" issue. We would like to know if the issue you have raised to us is still on-going. If yes, please reply to the thread so we can continue troubleshooting your concern.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Lonex P.

Microsoft Moderator

Hi John Portugal

We have noticed that you have not replied to our last response. We would like to know if the issue you have raised to us is still on-going. If yes, please reply to the thread so we can continue troubleshooting your concern.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Lonex P.

Microsoft Moderator

Hi John Portugal

Thank you for your detailed reply, let me know how it goes.

Best Regards,

Lonex P.

Microsoft Moderator

Windows Installation Issues

Since you've tried multiple SSDs and installation methods, it's possible that the installation media itself is corrupted. Try creating a fresh installation USB using the Media Creation Tool and ensure it's properly formatted. Wiped and created installation USB multiple times. This is using 2 different USB thumbsticks - have also tried Windows built in reset

Some users have reported that Windows 11 installation can restart in a loop due to incorrect boot order settings. Double-check your BIOS boot priority to ensure it's set to the correct SSD. Boot order is definitely correct and set to correct SSD. After first 2 failures, I started doing all the re-installations with only the boot SSD connected to board.

Microsoft Store Slow Loading

A default Windows 11 feature (BitLocker software encryption) can slow down SSD performance by up to 45%. You can check if BitLocker is enabled using:

manage-bde -status BitLocker disabled, was never enabled.

If it's enabled, consider disabling it temporarily to see if performance improves.

Reset the Microsoft Store cache by running:

wsreset.exe Tried, same issue.

Some users have also found success by reinstalling the Microsoft Store app. Tried, same issue.

Outlook Freezing

Outlook freezing on Windows 11 has been linked to large mailbox sizes, add-ins, or corrupted profiles. Try:

Running Outlook in Safe Mode (Outlook.exe /safe)

Disabling unnecessary add-ins (File > Options > Add-ins)

Creating a new Outlook profile (Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles)

Mailbox is small, definitely not corrupted, no add-ins enabled.

Notepad Sign-In Delay

Some users mistakenly believe Notepad requires a Microsoft account to function, but it only does for AI-powered features. If sign-in is slow, try:

Running Notepad as an administrator Tried, same issue.

Checking for Windows updates (Settings > Windows Update) All of them have already been done.

Installation Failures (Firefox, NVIDIA, PowerToys)

Firefox installation failures can be caused by corrupted installation files or Windows Defender blocking the process. Try:

Running the installer as Administrator Tried, no success.

Downloading a fresh setup file from Mozilla Tried, no success.

Disabling Windows Defender temporarily during installation Tried, no success.

Found that issue is with online installers, my further findings after quotes.

Winget Slow Scanning

Winget scanning delays have been reported by multiple users. Try:

Running winget upgrade in PowerShell (Admin) Tried, same issue

Checking if Winget servers are down Not down as installations work, just have a huge delay

Reinstalling Winget (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | Remove-AppxPackage then reinstall via Microsoft Store) Would try this but as PowerToys had issues in MS store, was not going to risk losing winget to attempt this.

UAC Delay

Some users have reported that UAC prompts take longer to appear on Windows 11. Try:

Disabling Fast Startup (Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do) Already attempted this, one of the first things I do after windows install

Running sfc /scannow again to check for corrupted system files

Did some more work on the PC today, managed to narrow down the issues I'm experiencing. I have also found that the issue is replicated on both Pro and Home editions :(

Online installers are failing

Tried to install FireFox using their online installer. Fails. Tried installing using their offline installers, works.

NVIDIA app was installed using an offline installer for game ready drivers, succeeded. NVIDIA app fails to update itself.

PowerToys fails via Microsoft store, works using winget and github download. Unsure how winget actually works but seems to work fine, just takes a while to scan for updates compared to before I started all of this.

All the other programs I've had to download and succeeded with were all offline installers.

No issues downloading installers from browsers, only when running online installers.

I don't know how Steam works but I don't really have issues with installing games on there so I may be wrong on online installers.

Microsoft having issues with my network (possibly??)

During W11 set up without network bypass, I'd get to one section > next > network dropped error > try again > section immediately loads > next > network dropped > repeat

Microsoft store takes a while to load.

I'm going to assume that the Outlook issue I have where it will freeze for 2-5 minutes after opening is the application trying to authenticate/communicate with servers but struggles. Outlook profile is tiny and profile is fine as it works on other devices.

Possibly explains delays in winget

I don't think it's directly an issue with my network/port/cable though as I have absolutely no issues with streaming, browsing, gaming. No major concerns on ping test, down/up speeds are what they should be, drivers up to date.

More

Memtest86 found no issues with memory after 4 hours, all tests passed with no failures.

Was going to contact support but 40 minute wait, I'll leave that for tomorrow. Posting this in case someone else knows whats up.

Hi John Portugal

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand the frustration you must be feeling with all these issues on your Windows 11 Pro system. You've certainly done a thorough job troubleshooting—props for that! Given the variety of issues you're experiencing, it seems like there might be an underlying system-wide problem rather than isolated software glitches. Here are some additional steps and insights that might help:

Possible Causes & Fixes

Windows Installation Issues

Since you've tried multiple SSDs and installation methods, it's possible that the installation media itself is corrupted. Try creating a fresh installation USB using the Media Creation Tool and ensure it's properly formatted.

Some users have reported that Windows 11 installation can restart in a loop due to incorrect boot order settings. Double-check your BIOS boot priority to ensure it's set to the correct SSD.

Microsoft Store Slow Loading

A default Windows 11 feature (BitLocker software encryption) can slow down SSD performance by up to 45%. You can check if BitLocker is enabled using:

manage-bde -status

If it's enabled, consider disabling it temporarily to see if performance improves.

Reset the Microsoft Store cache by running:

wsreset.exe

Some users have also found success by reinstalling the Microsoft Store app.

Outlook Freezing

Outlook freezing on Windows 11 has been linked to large mailbox sizes, add-ins, or corrupted profiles. Try:

Running Outlook in Safe Mode (Outlook.exe /safe)

Disabling unnecessary add-ins (File > Options > Add-ins)

Creating a new Outlook profile (Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles)

Notepad Sign-In Delay

Some users mistakenly believe Notepad requires a Microsoft account to function, but it only does for AI-powered features. If sign-in is slow, try:

Running Notepad as an administrator

Checking for Windows updates (Settings > Windows Update)

Installation Failures (Firefox, NVIDIA, PowerToys)

Firefox installation failures can be caused by corrupted installation files or Windows Defender blocking the process. Try:

Running the installer as Administrator

Downloading a fresh setup file from Mozilla

Disabling Windows Defender temporarily during installation

Winget Slow Scanning

Winget scanning delays have been reported by multiple users. Try:

Running winget upgrade in PowerShell (Admin)

Checking if Winget servers are down

Reinstalling Winget (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | Remove-AppxPackage then reinstall via Microsoft Store)

UAC Delay

Some users have reported that UAC prompts take longer to appear on Windows 11. Try:

Disabling Fast Startup (Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do)

Running sfc /scannow again to check for corrupted system files

If none of this works, perform Repair in-place upgrade: This will reinstall your Operating System and will keep your files and apps. This will take some time depending on the computer performance and internet speed. You can follow the steps from this link: How to perform repair upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community.

If issue still persists, you can contact Microsoft Support. If you prefer to contact our phone or chat teams, you can do so by following the link below:

Contact - Microsoft Support

Once you've opened the link, do the following:

(1) Provide a brief description of your problem and click Get Help;

(2) click Contact Supportat the bottom of the****results that appear;

(3) click Confirm after making sure which product you have a problem with**;** and

(4) Finally, you will have the option of contacting an Office chat representative or receiving a call from an Office telephone representative.

Best regards

Lonex P.

Microsoft Moderator

Let me know if this helps.

Best Regards,

Lonex P.

Microsoft Moderator