Reinstall Default Built-in Apps in Windows 10

This guide shows you how to reinstall the default built-in apps (like Mail, Photos, Calculator, and Microsoft Store) that may have been accidentally uninstalled or are misbehaving. You’ll use PowerShell commands to restore them, and you don’t need any special tools—just a Windows 10 PC with an internet connection.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC (version 1703 or later recommended)
Administrator access (you’ll need to open PowerShell as admin)
Internet connection (to download the apps from Microsoft servers)

Step-by-Step

Open PowerShell as Administrator. Click the Start button, type PowerShell, right-click “Windows PowerShell” in the results, and select “Run as administrator.” If prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes.”
Reinstall all built-in apps for the current user. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
This command re-registers all built-in apps for your user account. It may take a few minutes and may show some red errors—these are usually harmless.
Reinstall a specific app (if you only want one). If you know the app’s package name, you can target it. For example, to reinstall Calculator, run:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *calculator* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Replace *calculator* with the app’s package name (e.g., *photos*, *windowsstore*).
Reinstall all built-in apps for every user (if you have multiple accounts). If you want to restore apps for all user profiles, run this command instead:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -AllUsers}
Note: This requires admin rights and may take longer.
Restart your PC. After the commands finish, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
Check if the apps are back. Open the Start menu and look for the app you reinstalled. If it’s still missing, proceed to the Troubleshooting section.

Common Mistakes

Running PowerShell without admin rights. The command will fail with “Access denied” if you don’t run as administrator.
Typing the command incorrectly. Even a small typo (like a missing dash) can cause errors. Copy and paste the command directly.
Ignoring red errors. Some red text is normal (e.g., for apps that can’t be re-registered), but if the command fails entirely, you’ll see a clear error message.
Using the wrong package name. If you’re targeting a specific app, make sure the wildcard matches the exact package name. Use Get-AppxPackage | Select Name to list installed apps.

Tips

Back up your data first. Reinstalling apps usually doesn’t delete your personal files, but it’s always a good practice to back up important documents.
Use the Microsoft Store as an alternative. For most built-in apps, you can simply go to the Microsoft Store, search for the app (e.g., “Calculator”), and click “Install” if it’s not already installed.
Reset the app instead of reinstalling. If an app is misbehaving but still present, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, click “Advanced options,” and then click “Reset.” This often fixes issues without a full reinstall.
Keep Windows updated. Some app issues are fixed by Windows updates, so check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update for pending updates.

Troubleshooting

The command fails with “Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CF9.” This usually means the app package is corrupted or the app is already installed. Try uninstalling the app first (via PowerShell: Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage) and then run the reinstall command again.
Apps still missing after the command. Try running the command with the -AllUsers flag (step 4) or restart your PC. If that doesn’t work, use the Microsoft Store to manually install the missing app.
PowerShell says “Add-AppxPackage is not recognized.” This means you’re not in the correct PowerShell module. Make sure you’re using Windows PowerShell, not the older Command Prompt. If you’re in PowerShell, try updating it via the Microsoft Store.
Some apps reappear but others don’t. Some built-in apps (like Cortana and Edge) are tied to the Windows system and may not reinstall via this method. For those, you may need to use the “Reset this PC” option (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery) while keeping your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reinstalling built-in apps delete my personal files?

No, reinstalling built-in apps does not delete your personal files, photos, or documents. It only reinstalls the app itself, preserving your data.

Can I reinstall apps without an internet connection?

No, the command downloads the app packages from Microsoft servers, so an internet connection is required. If you’re offline, you’ll need to wait until you have a connection.

What if I only want to reinstall the Microsoft Store?

Use the command with the wildcard for the Store: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *windowsstore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}. If that fails, you can also download the Store from Microsoft’s website.

Why do I see red errors during the command?

Red errors are normal for apps that are already registered or can’t be re-registered (e.g., system apps). As long as the command finishes and your apps appear, you can ignore them.

Do I need to be an administrator to run this?

Yes, you must run PowerShell as administrator. Otherwise, you’ll get a permission error.

Will this work on Windows 11?

This guide is for Windows 10. Windows 11 has a similar process, but the command may need slight adjustments. For Windows 11, you can try the same command, but it’s best to check Microsoft’s official documentation for the latest method.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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