14 DAY TRIAL // The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update rollout started on October 17, and just like expected, the first batch of users who received it came across several bugs, including one that hides their apps in the Start menu.
In most of the cases, apps can be launched from the Windows Store, where they are listed as installed, but otherwise, it’s more difficult to find them on the system as they no longer show up in the Start menu.
Microsoft has finally acknowledged the bug and explained that it’s “investigating reports of missing apps after installing the Fall Creators Update,” while also providing a few troubleshooting steps to restore the apps. It’s important to note that the company hasn’t promised a fix, though the bug is likely to be resolved with a cumulative update shipping sometime in the coming months.
Microsoft’s tutorial, which you can check in full in the box at the end of the article, comes down to a few steps to repair or reset the missing apps, uninstall and reinstall them, or re-register the apps using PowerShell.
Reset or downgrade
If nothing works, users are left with two more dramatic choices: either go back to the previous Windows 10 version they were running prior to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or reset the system completely and have all settings returned to default.
Microsoft promises to let users know when a bugfix has been developed, so until then, you can turn to the steps detailed below to see if they make any difference on your system.
On the good side, the number of reports pointing to this issue is still small right now, though it could increase as more systems receive the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
The rollout will continue in the coming weeks and months, with new devices to get the new OS release in Windows Update as their software and hardware configuration is listed as fully compatible.