Microsoft Addresses App Update Issues on Windows 10
Microsoft has unveiled a new approach to remedy a bug that has hindered users from uninstalling or updating applications on Windows 10, particularly for those who prefer not to implement this month’s preview update. The company first acknowledged the issue on Thursday, revealing that certain users have encountered difficulties with packaged applications, including Microsoft Teams and various third-party apps, following the installation of the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package on their Windows 10 22H2 systems.
Those affected by the glitch are met with the message “Something happened on our end” in the Microsoft Store’s ‘Downloads’ panel. Meanwhile, IT administrators face the 0x80073CFA error when attempting to manage packaged apps using the Get-AppxPackage command in PowerShell.
In an effort to mitigate further disruptions, Microsoft has proactively withdrawn the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package to shield additional Windows 10 users from encountering similar issues.
On Friday, the tech giant released the KB5046714 preview update, which addresses this known problem. Additionally, Microsoft has provided an alternative workaround for those hesitant to install optional cumulative updates on their systems.
Roy MacLachlan, a product manager at Microsoft, stated, “Our analysis into Windows and client logging has determined that this problem may be preventing users from updating or uninstalling packaged apps on Windows 10 devices.” He elaborated that the company has pinpointed a recent servicing update for the WinAppSDK (version 1.6.2) as the source of the deployment stack processing issue that led to these complications.
For users affected by this bug, Microsoft recommends installing the new WinAppSDK 1.6.3 update three times, rather than opting for the preview update, to resolve the problems associated with app updates and installations.
To determine if your Windows 10 system is impacted, you can execute the following PowerShell command, which will return a value only if the problematic WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package is present:
Get-Appxpackage WindowsAppRuntime.1.6 -AllUsers | Where { $_.Version -eq '6000.311.13.0' }
Earlier this month, Microsoft also retracted the November Exchange security updates following widespread reports from administrators indicating that email services had ceased functioning on their servers. Additionally, the company addressed several bugs that were causing blue screens and installation issues in Windows Server 2025.
Over the weekend, Microsoft took further action by blocking the Windows 11 24H2 update on systems running certain Ubisoft games and eSCL standalone scanners, showcasing its commitment to ensuring a smoother user experience across its platforms.
