I just upgraded to 8.1 and now none of the Metro apps start.
The issue is that if I start any metro app, including the Store and PC Settings they immediately fail. The classic desktop is fine, as are standard programs, it's just the metro apps.
If I look in the system event log I see errors like this:
Activation of application winstore_cw5n1h2txyewy!Windows.Store failed with error: This application does not support the contract specified or is not installed. See the Microsoft-Windows-TWinUI/Operational log for additional information.
In addition the tiles in metro have a small cross icon on them:
I suspect that my Live ID (which I somehow managed to skip during update) is not set properly and consequently none of the online stuff works. But how do I fix this? I can't start PC settings, I can't start store. I see no way in the classic desktop of setting these things. I don't want to have to reinstall for this. Is there a simple fix?
Edit: More people with the same problem. And more here.
Edit 2: I created a Windows 8.1 Pro DVD (a trial to do all by itself) and the Refresh option didn't fix the issue either. Eventually I just bit the bullet and did a reset.
Best Answer
The fix for this is EASY.. It's a permission problem
Go to C:\ProgramFiles
unhide hidden and system folders
Then you will see WindowsApps
If you can't modify it , seize permission for the Administrators group and Add FULL control to ALL APPLICATIONS PACKAGES. Reboot the system when done
This fixes it RIGHT UP.... but it does leave a security hole as it gives all applications FULL permissions to this folder.. So in the RARE case you had an app go crazy, it could thrash the metro apps folder :)
Best thing to do is restore from backup...
Everyone should have system restore points, file restore and image backups or a 3rd party solution to back up to a date before things went wonky
If you don't have these, just fudge the permissions.... this works for 8 and 8.1
If anyone suggests Erasing, refreshing, etc your system, ESPECIALLY a MS tech, tell them no thanks... that ONLY.. and I repeat ONLY A LAST DITCH EFFORT