Win 8.1 Store Apps problem

[GTP]

I have a Win 8.1 machine that customer uses to play Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Mahjong.
When he opens the Apps they briefly open then minimise to the task bar.
Clicking on the task bar icons briefly opens them and then they minimise again.
Spent hours (wasted) today reading hundreds of posts with all sorts of fixes/suggestions but nothing works.
Non MS Store Apps work fine!?
I'm all "Google Foo'd out!
TIA for any help or suggestions!
BTW...N&P is out already done it!

 

[Denis Yakhnovets]

Hi!
Some help for you
http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2452
https://social.technet.microsoft.co...ized-in-the-taskbar?forum=itprovistadesktopui

Solutions
1
I solved the same problem on my computer by uninstalling the video driver (Intel HD Graphics) that was part of the September 2014 Windows Update.
After the uninstall, I rebooted and everything worked fine (most likely with the old, generic MS driver).

Hope this helps someone else, too.

2
had a similar problem on Windows 7 and the following solution worked

- Press SHIFT+CTRL

- Right Click on the Program showing up in the taskbar.

- Select the "Move" Window option

- Use the keyboard (Left Arrow/Right Arrow) <-/ -> keys to move the window to the center of the screen.

- Try holding down the left arrow key for a while to see the Window outline. Try moving right/up/down if the window outline is still not visible.

- Hit enter when you can see the Window outline move to the center of the screen.

It appears that the desktop extends beyond the Screen Display and the program window seems hidden. Moving the Window either to the Left / Right / Top/ Bottom of the screen helps.

 

[GTP]

Thanks @Denis Yakhnovets didn't work for me

 

[nlinecomputers]

Upgrade to 10? Who the heck uses 8?

 

[GTP]

Upgrade to 10? Who the heck uses 8?

...Or go back to 7? I wish I could go to 10 (But he likes this version of Mahjong and Solitaire.)
It belongs to a "technically challenged" old gentleman that has taken the last 3 years to work it out.
Even small changes confuse him, so I'm reluctant to got to 10. I had to N & P because he totally screwed it up. I did a full restore from the Recovery Console, but these Apps still refuse to open!
Driving me crazy!

 

[Denis Yakhnovets]

Perhaps problem in Window size or position.
Create new system User and logging by them, and try run your games...

 

[nlinecomputers]

...Or go back to 7? I wish I could go to 10 (But he likes this version of Mahjong and Solitaire.)
It belongs to a "technically challenged" old gentleman that has taken the last 3 years to work it out.
Even small changes confuse him, so I'm reluctant to got to 10. I had to N & P because he totally screwed it up. I did a full restore from the Recovery Console, but these Apps still refuse to open!
Driving me crazy!

The versions of the games will be the same on 10. Windows Universal apps run on both.

 

[Your PCMD]

Is this a desktop or laptop? Me thinks sticky key! Have had a few of those from laptops and a handful from desktops. Also, (if installed) make sure to end Constant Guard - now Fast Connect - or Superfetch process in task manager and see what happens.

 

[GTP]

The versions of the games will be the same on 10. Windows Universal apps run on both.

Yeah, thanks, already thought of that. Problem is that even moving the icons around on the desktop makes him flip out. Going to 10 might be over the edge. I would like to tell him I'm finished with it but I have an obligation now that I have done the N & P etc.
These programs (he says) were working before it came to me. He had messed it up so badly that it wouldn't boot. I got it to boot but there were too many issues to "fix" so I just imaged and recovered.

Is this a desktop or laptop? Me thinks sticky key! Have had a few of those from laptops and a handful from desktops. Also, (if installed) make sure to end Constant Guard - now Fast Connect - or Superfetch process in task manager and see what happens

Its an HP laptop. No sticky keys. I'll try the other suggestions. Thanks

 

[GTP]

make sure to end Constant Guard - now Fast Connect - or Superfetch process in task manager and see what happens

No luck.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I'm reading several places that mention third party shells. Are you using ANY third party start screen replacement?

 

[Your PCMD]

Instead of using the Solitaire from the M$ app store, you could just install the Windows 7 M$ games on it? Just download this, unzip and chose which M$ you want to install and voila. Works on Windows 8, 8.1, 10 including the Anniversary update.

 

[Porthos]

Instead of using the Solitaire from the M$ app store, you could just install the Windows 7 M$ games on it? Just download this, unzip and chose which M$ you want to install and voila. Works on Windows 8, 8.1, 10 including the Anniversary update.

It may break again when the next upgrade comes out next year, The one pre AU broke with the AU. I have had to update it to the current version a dozen times since. Just be aware and warn the client.

 

[GTP]

I'm reading several places that mention third party shells. Are you using ANY third party start screen replacement?

No, plain vanilla Win 8.1

 

[GTP]

I finally got it fixed.
Sometimes unconventional problems need unconventional solutions...
Client assured me that the "Games" worked fine before it all went "pear shaped" and I did the recovery, so

I went into the App Data folder --> Local --> Microsoft --> Windows Store and deleted the Cache and Checkpoints Folders.

Next, App Data --> Local --> Microsoft --> Windows and deleted the appsFolder.itemdata-ms, appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak, appsFolderLayout.bin and the Windows Update txt file.

Next, I copied those files/folders from the image I made prior to the N & P, restored them to the original locations and voila!

Works normally again!
Now...if I could just workout how to charge him for 17 Hrs @ workshop rate....

 

[TechLady]

Yup, MS just killed off this workaround evidently. Doesn't work on Win 10 machines anymore.