Cannot open some programmes on my Windows 10 Homew Edition 64-bit

Hello Eric Athroll,

Thank you for reaching out. Before pointing you in the right direction, it would be helpful to gather a bit more information to narrow down what might be causing this.

Could you let me know:

• Which specific programmes are failing to open — for example, are these standard desktop applications, Microsoft Store apps, or a mix of both?
• Whether the issue started immediately after the VueScan installation attempt, or if there was a gap before other apps began failing?
• Whether any error message appears at any point when trying to open the affected programmes, even briefly?
• Whether Windows itself and other system functions are running normally, or if anything else seems off?

Any details you can share will help figure out what the failed installation may have affected and what the best next step would be. I’ll wait for your reply with the requested details so we can continue. 

It sounds like you are experiencing issues with certain applications not starting properly on your Windows 10 system. The blue square with a briefcase icon you described may indicate a problem with the application package or its installation. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is fully updated, as updates can fix underlying issues with application compatibility.
2. Repair or Reinstall the Affected Applications: If specific applications are not opening, try repairing or reinstalling them. You can do this via the Control Panel or Settings app.
3. Check Application Permissions: Sometimes, applications may fail to start due to incorrect permissions. Ensure that the necessary permissions are granted for the applications to run. You can check this in the properties of the application folder.
4. Registry Issues: If the applications are dimmed in the Start menu, it may be due to registry issues. You can try resetting the registry entries for the affected applications. However, be cautious when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can lead to further issues.
5. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter: Even if you are not using the Microsoft Store for your applications, running the built-in troubleshooter for Windows Store apps can sometimes resolve issues with app functionality.
6. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts: If you have any third-party antivirus or security software installed, temporarily disable it to see if it is causing conflicts with your applications.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

References:

• Microsoft Store Apps fail to start if default registry or file permissions modified
• Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps