Bug: Files can't be found

[MonsterSe7en]

Description

This is a peculiar issue, and it has persisted even after multiple reinstallation attempts. The problem began after I updated the app to the latest version (4.0.21) directly from within the Files app.

Here are the steps I’ve already tried:

Unable to reinstall using the Files app installer. The installer stalls

Uninstalled the app via Add or Remove Programs in Windows.

Installed the app again using the Files installer.

Despite these steps, the problem has not been resolved.

Steps To Reproduce

Update to the latest version

Updated successfully

Restart windows

Files Version

4.0.21

Windows Version

25H2 OS Build 26200.7171

User ID

No response

Log File

debug.log

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report, how are you opening Files?

[MonsterSe7en]

Repairing via Settings launched the app but it isn't stable

Even though Files isn't open, (The app isn't found on task manager, no system tray icon either)

Thanks for the report, how are you opening Files?

via the start menu icon, or a taskbar shortcut

[MonsterSe7en]

I intend on checking if a previous version fixes the issue.

Please let me know in case you need any additional information before I do that

[yaira2]

This sounds like a Windows issue, can you try running sfc /scannow and restarting Windows?

[MonsterSe7en]

Realized how much I was dependent on Files and it's enhancements when I used Windows explorer.....

---

`Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26200.7171]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at
windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For offline
repairs, details are included in the log file provided by the /OFFLOGFILE flag.

C:\Windows\System32>`

---

Restarted machine, issue persists

---

Files does not want to open

This is terrifying. Files seems to be the only application impacted.

Unable to find Files on Revo uninstaller, Files exists on Add or Remove programs (Windows recognizes Files as an installed software),

(I tend to use Revo uninstaller in order to completely remove any programs and any of it's remnants (like files and registry keys))

Clean uninstall of Files

I want to perform a Clean uninstall of Files, could you let me know where files stores all it's user data and any other data (So I can perform a clean uninstall and later an uninstall)

I plan on checking Program files, %Appdata, local and global%

Think I'll leave the registry alone for now, (But please let me know which ones I can safely remove)

[yaira2]

Does anything show when you run Get-AppxPackage *files*? I would avoid using Revo for Files since packaged apps work a little differently and messing with them can cause unintended issues.

[MonsterSe7en]

After uninstalling Files, running Get-AppxPackage files on powershell gives nothing, did not find anything on Program files, %Appdata% (Local or roaming)

---

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Install the latest PowerShell for new features and improvements! https://aka.ms/PSWindows

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-AppxPackage *files*
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Assuming the app is completely removed

---

Ran an sfc /scannow, again. No errors found

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26200.7171]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan.  This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\Windows\System32>

---

Reinstalling Files leads to Files opening. But when I close it and attempt to re-open the app. I get the below message

Clicking on Reinstall app via the installer does nothing

Also noticed that I only have the option to install the latest version of Files 4.0.21, How do I install an older version of Files??

[yaira2]

What happens if you install the preview version?

[MonsterSe7en]

Brilliant idea!!

[MonsterSe7en]

Same issue 😭😭

When I install and open the app, all works like expected, but when I close and re-open. It works sometimes and it doesn't (quite intermittent)

But after a restart, it fails to launch, (Start > Search for File / Files Insider preview > attempt to open).... Nothing happens

---

Reinstalling via installer does nothing, clicking on launch the application leads to

Quite interesting issue

Questions

• Is anybody else able to replicate this issue?? (Is this specific to me and my machine or is this an app specific issue)

• How do I run a clean uninstall of the Files / Insider Preview application

---

I've also noticed that navigating to apps > Installed Apps on Windows Settings

Then selecting the app (Files / Files Insider) > clicking on Reset let's me use the app temporarily

But when I close the app, it doesn't re-open sometimes, and after a restart, doesn't open whatever it do (Need to reset the app via settings)

[MonsterSe7en]

Set Files to auto-start on startup, opened the app and then it crashed in a second. Happens with both Files and Files Preview

Think its the app or something on my machine that's making it crash

Attaching logs from both apps

Files Log

debug.log

Files Preview Log

debug.log

Hope this was helpful.... Looking forward to a fix. Thank you for your time and patience