Einstein once remarked that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Whether or not this reflects the current situation, Microsoft has proposed a rather unconventional approach to address a Windows 10 issue that has recently come to light.
Windows 10 Update Challenge
A few days ago, Microsoft acknowledged a significant problem affecting Windows 10 users: the inability to update or uninstall packaged apps. This issue is linked to the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package, leading to the frustrating 0x80073CFA error. Interestingly, there are multiple solutions available, one of which is rather peculiar.
On the Windows release health page, Microsoft stated, “Starting November 12, 2024, Windows 10 users might experience issues while trying to update or uninstall packaged apps. Affected Windows 10 devices have received the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package (published on November 12, 2024).”
The company elaborated on the situation:
When users download an app that relies on WinAppSDK, the necessary components of the SDK are automatically downloaded and installed along with the app.
As a result of this glitch, users may encounter the message, “Something happened on our end,” in the Downloads panel of the Microsoft Store. For IT administrators managing packaged apps via PowerShell, the error message reads, “Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CFA. Please contact your software vendor. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80073CFA).”
Additionally, popular applications such as Microsoft Teams, along with various third-party apps, are affected when users attempt to uninstall and reinstall them during the update process.
The most straightforward solution—likely to be effective for the majority of users—is to install the Windows updates released on November 21, 2024 (KB5046714) and subsequent updates.
Alternatively, Microsoft has suggested a rather unusual remedy on GitHub: install the new WinAppSDK 1.6.3 three times. Yes, you read that correctly—three times. Both x64 and arm64 versions are available for users to download.
Image credit: Aksitaykut / Dreamstime.com
