Can’t Open CMD.exe After Uninstalling Python/Anaconda; Exit Code 1

vscode cmd.exe error 1

After uninstalling Python/Anaconda on your Windows computer, Command Prompt may not open. When you run cmd.exe, it flashes on the screen and immediately quits. Also, running DISM and SFC (to repair corrupt system files), repairing Windows installation, and running a thorough malware scan may not fix the issue.Read more

Fix: Can’t Install Appx, AppxBundle, and Msixbundle Files in Windows

appx, appxbundle, msixinstaller don't run

The file types .Appx, .AppxBundle, and .Msixbundle are app installer or setup packages. On a default Windows 10 or 11 installation, you can double-click these file types to run them. But, if the App Installer (a.k.a, “Desktop Installer”) Store app is removed from the system, the .Appx, .AppxBundle, and .Msixbundle files don’t run when double-clicked.Read more

How to Restore Missing “Print Management” Console

print management console missing

After installing a Windows 10 Feature update (v2004 or higher) or Windows 11, you may observe that the Print Management MMC console is missing from the system. Print Management is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that lets you install, view, and manage all printers on your local computer or the network. You can add or delete printer driver packages, manage the print queue, and do much more.

This issue can occur in Windows 10/11 Professional or Enterprise edition. Note that the Print Management console is not available on Home editions of Windows. If you’re using Windows Home Edition, this article doesn’t apply to you.

The Print Management shortcut may be missing in the Administrative Tools folder. And, when you attempt to run printmanagement.msc directly, you’ll see the following error:

Windows cannot find 'printmanagement.msc'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

Also, copying the file printmanagement.msc file from another Windows 10 computer and running it would cause the error “couldn’t load the snap-in” since the supporting files are missing from the computer.

Read more

Fix for Error 0x80073CFA when Uninstalling an App in Windows 10

0x80073CFA uninstalling apps error

When uninstalling a Store app in Windows 10, you may get the error 0x80073CFA. This happens whether you use the Apps & Features GUI or PowerShell command to remove the app. Many users have indicated that the error happens when uninstalling some game apps like Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon, Asphalt: Airborne, etc.

0x80073CFA uninstalling apps error

We couldn't uninstall app_name

The operation did not complete successfully. Try again in a bit.

The error code is 0x80073CFA, in case you need it.

However, the error 0x80073CFA is not specific to Microsoft gaming apps. It can happen for any app, for that matter.

Attempting to uninstalling the app using PowerShell’s Remove-AppxPackage would result in the same error code:

0x80073CFA uninstalling apps error powershell

Remove-AppxPackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CFA, Removal failed. Please contact your software vendor.
(Exception from HRESULT: 0x80073CFA)

error 0x80070032: AppX Deployment Remove operation on package package_name from:
C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\package_path failed. This app is part of Windows and
cannot be uninstalled on a per-user basis. An administrator can attempt to remove the app from the computer using Turn
Windows Features on or off. However, it may not be possible to uninstall the app.

(The above error happened when attempting to uninstall the in-box package named Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost for the sake of illustration.)

Cause

The 0x80073CFA error (“Removal failed. Please contact your software vendor.”) occurs if you try to uninstall a non-removable inbox app. Inbox apps are official Microsoft apps bundled with Windows 10 and installed during Windows 10 Setup — e.g., Photos, Calendar, Alarma, Camera, Calculator, People app, etc. Some of the inbox apps are “non-removable” and some are removable — e.g., the Photos app.

The StateRepository-Machine.srd database has a field named IsInbox against app which may be set to 1 or  0. If it’s set to 1, it’s a designated inbox app. For non-removable apps, PowerShell’s Get-AppxPackage <PackageName> command will show that the package is NonRemovable.

get-appxpackage nonremovable

If you need to trim down Windows by removing unused or unwanted apps, there is a way to forcibly remove them even though they’re marked as non-removable inbox apps. To do so, you need to first set the IsInbox value to 0 by editing the StateRepository-Machine.srd database.Read more

Windows Defender Shows the Same Threat Repeatedly. How to Clear the Protection History

windows defender same threat repeatedly - pup or trojan

On some Windows 10 and 11 computers, Microsoft Defender Antivirus may repeatedly warn about the same threat, although you’ve taken the necessary action (remediated) on that threat.

windows defender same threat repeatedly

When you click “Start actions” after choosing “Remove”, nothing happens. Windows Defender would keep showing that non-existent threat.Read more