Windows 8 Fix for broken metro apps/Control Panel in Windows 8

[Mitchell_A]

Using registry/disk cleaners (CCleaner, SpeedUpMyPC,etc) in the Windows 8 Developer/Consumer Preview will result in the absence of both the app store and the metro/immersive Control Panel being unavailable in your installation. Luckily, I have found a fix for this problem. But first, a summary of why it happens:

CCleaner (and any other registry cleaners) that scans for invalid shortcuts or application path references will delete three keys required by Windows 8 to display the metro CP, Windows Store and metro Remote Desktop. These keys are as follows:
Please note that in CCleaner, the problem arises when the user scans for invalid Start Menu/Desktop shortcuts from within the cleaning dialog, not the registry scanner.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Store.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Immersive Control Panel.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Immersive RemoteDesktop.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

So when using ANY registry cleaning software, be sure to look through the scan prior to removing keys and UNSELECT these three "invalid" shortcuts. Although, I still don't understand why this made the apps completely inaccessible (via some external links in the normal CP, etc) and quite frankly, I don't care.

To solve the problem, run CMD as an admin and type "sfc /scannow" which will see the files/references are missing and repair them.
Thanks for your help guys, and I hope this solves the problem for others as well!

Mitch.

 

[Mitchell_A]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

Mitchell,

In 7, no I do not. I'm in Win7, @ the moment. Came to 7 to get some back-up done. Will check CCleaner settings in Win8... will be back there, soon. Should be the same as, the only CCleaner setting I change from the defaults is the uncheck "clear Jumplists'.

Yep, it is the same in Windows8. The 2 items you mention are not checked.

Drew

That is why you're not experiencing the issue. Which I stated in my analysis a few posts back.

 

[Drew]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

Ah, yes, understood. Always, default, except for Jump Lists. Do fine that way, it would seem

Drew

 

[Mitchell_A]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

It seems to be a known issue on the Piriform forums also, I thought it'd have been fixed by now.

Anyway, whatever. I've decided against using CCleaner in Windows 8 for the time being.

 

[Mitchell_A]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

When I re-visited this problem today, I was able to find a solution: the system file checker.

Run command prompt as an administrator and type "sfc /scannow". Windows will find integrity errors and repair them, and your Control Panel/other metro apps will work again! *Updated OP*

 

[lsdaniel]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

will advanced system care 5 do this too

 

[Mitchell_A]

Re: Do Not Use CCleaner!

will advanced system care 5 do this too

Most likely. I found Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 had the same issue. It seems to have been fixed in CCleaner now though.