Windows Apps and Taskbar not working after windows update

Question

I updated windows last night and now some of my windows apps don't work. I tried to open settings and the splash page with the cog in the center shows up for a second then closes. The windows button as well as the calendar and accessibility options menus won't work. I've tried Administrator CMD - DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - sfc /scannow but it gets stuck at 62.3%. The only apps I know work are Task Manager, File Explorer, Taskbar Search, Device Manager, Event Viewer.

Answer 1

Hi, good day!

Please try to return to the login screen

While holding the Left Shift key, click the Power icon at the bottom right > Restart

This will bring you to Windows Recovery Environment

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates

Uninstall latest quality update

If this doesn't work, Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore

Select the restore point at an earlier date where everything is still working.

Click Next then Finish

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Answer 2

The symptoms indicate system components and XAML-dependent apps (Start menu, Settings, taskbar elements) are broken after a Windows update, and DISM/SFC cannot complete. Use a staged repair approach and, if needed, reinstall while keeping files.

1. Run a clean restart and repair system files again Since SFC is stalling at 62.3%, first minimize third‑party interference:
2. Perform a clean restart:
   • Follow the steps in “Perform a clean restart into Windows” to start Windows with minimal drivers and startup programs.
3. After booting in this clean state, run the repair commands again from an elevated Command Prompt:
   • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   • When it reports “The operation completed successfully”, run:
   • sfc /scannow
4. When SFC reaches 100%, restart and test Settings, Start button, calendar, and accessibility menus.

If SFC still cannot complete or apps remain broken, proceed to the next steps.

2. Repair or reset affected apps Some built‑in apps can be repaired individually:
3. Open Task Manager (which still works) and choose Run new task.
4. Type ms-settings: and press Enter. If Settings opens, do the following:
   • Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   • Select problem apps (for example, Settings-related components if listed) and choose Advanced options.
   • Select Repair. If that does not help, select Reset.

For classic desktop programs that misbehave after the update:

1. Open Control Panel (run control from Task Manager → Run new task).
2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Right‑click the affected program and select Repair, or Change and follow the on‑screen instructions.

Details are in “Repair apps and programs in Windows”.

3. Use compatibility troubleshooting for older/affected apps If some apps started failing only after the update and are older or sensitive to OS changes:
4. Open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
5. Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter and follow the prompts for any app that crashes or will not start.

See “Make older apps or programs compatible with the latest version of Windows” for more on using this troubleshooter.

4. Address potential XAML/shell issues from updates The behavior where Start, Settings, and other shell components do not open or close unexpectedly after an update matches known issues where XAML-dependent packages do not register in time. In such cases:

• Ensure all pending Windows updates are installed once the update mechanism is working again, as fixes are delivered via subsequent updates.
• If the device is in an enterprise/managed environment, coordinate with the administrator, since some issues described in “KB5072911: Explorer, the Start menu, and other XAML-dependent apps might not start or close unexpectedly on some enterprise devices” are addressed by Microsoft via updates.

5. If repair fails: perform an in-place reinstall while keeping files If DISM/SFC cannot repair the component store and core apps remain unusable, a clean installation while preserving personal files is the reliable next step:
6. From a working browser, go to the Windows 11 software download page and use the Download tool now option described under “Perform a clean installation of Windows 11”.
7. Boot from or run the tool and choose the option that keeps personal files (if using Reset this PC) or follow the clean install guidance while backing up important data first.

This replaces damaged system files, XAML components, and servicing stack while giving a fresh base for future updates.

If the issue started immediately after a specific major update and devices or drivers also misbehave, run Windows Update again after repair or reinstall so that any missing drivers are re‑applied, as suggested in “Devices not working after a major Windows update”.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
• Repair apps and programs in Windows
• Make older apps or programs compatible with the latest version of Windows
• Devices not working after a major Windows update
• KB5072911: Explorer, the Start menu, and other XAML-dependent apps might not start or close unexpectedly on some enterprise devices