Reinstalling preinstalled apps

09/01/2016 08:52
On Windows 10 desktop devices, preinstalled Windows Apps may become uninstalled. This is possible via the PowerShell command-lets or the Application Model API surface directly. Most of these apps can be re-downloaded from the Windows Store, however in some cases, they can’t, as in the case of the Windows Store app itself.

To reinstall preinstalled apps

  1. Download the Reinstall-preinstalledApps.zip PowerShell Script to your PC and copy it to your desktop.
  2. Open an elevated PowerShell window.
    1. Click Start.
    2. Type "Windows PowerShell" in the search bar.
    3. Right-click Windows PowerShell in the results list and click "Run as administrator".
    4. A User Account Control dialog displays. Click "yes" to proceed.
  3. Navigate to the script download folder, which is your desktop if you followed step 1. Your command will look similar to the following example.

    PS C:\Users\Abby>CD Desktop

  4. Temporarily allow unsigned PowerShell scripts to execute. Your command will look similar to the following example.

    PS C:\Users\Abby\Desktop>Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

  5. Execute the script. You can install a specific app (like the Windows Store) or all preinstalled apps.

    If you try to install an app that is already installed, it will be skipped without an error.

    Mt185364.wedge(en-us,VS.85).gifReinstall a specific app

    • Add a string argument to the powershell command that represents the string containing the name of the app. In our example of the Windows Store, the string is *Microsoft.WindowsStore* (asterisks included). Your command will look similar to the following example.

      PS C:\Users\Abby\Desktop>.\reinstall-preinstalledApp.ps1 *Microsoft.WindowsStore*

      The system will prompt for approval to execute the script. Typing “y” will allow the script to continue.

    Mt185364.wedge(en-us,VS.85).gifReinstall all preinstalled apps

    • Execute the script without any arguments. Your command will look similar to the following example.

      PS C:\Users\Abby\Desktop>.\reinstall-preinstalledApp.ps1

  6. Re-enable enforcement for signed PowerShell scripts. Your command will look similar to the following example.

    PS C:\Users\Abby>Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned

  7. Your preinstalled app or apps should now be installed and visible on the apps list.

Testing the script

If everything succeeds, the single app (or all preinstalled apps) should now be available to launch in the apps list.

 

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