Windows 10 Problems, Issues with solutions and fixes

If you have installed Windows 10 RTM Final version, you may be facing some Windows 10 problems and issues. Fortunately, the list of known issues is not long and is limited to some countries for some reason. The best thing about bugs in Windows 10 or known issues is that Microsoft works on them as soon as they are notified. Despite that, here are the some bugs and issues.

Windows 10 Problems and Issues

1] Windows installation may terminate with SOMETHING HAPPENED message

In some languages, you may see the message “Something happened” with the only option being CLOSE button. When you click the button, the installation terminates. This has been noticed if you chose to create an ISO and are using a burned DVD or USB to install Windows 10.

Though not official, the problem is attributed to Language settings in Windows OS. Check the Language and Region settings in Control panel of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 that you are upgrading using the ISO file. The fix being widely used is to re-download the US English Language pack and install it on the computer you are trying to upgrade. That is, you have to go to Control Panel, open the Language and Settings and make sure US English is installed. You may have to install the language pack again for Windows 10 ISO to work. Go here to see how to install language packs in Windows.

A better fix is to use “Upgrade This PC” option using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. The latter option would remove the need to create ISO-based installation media (DVD or USB) and will do an in-place upgrade of Windows 10. The in-place upgrade does not, likely, go wrong with the weird “something happened” message according to reports on social media. You will need an active Internet connection, though, for every PC you upgrade this way.

In short, performing an in-place upgrade is a better option than going for ISO files of Windows 10 as of now.

The “Something Happened” message is too vague and does not tell you what went wrong. The second line too, as in the image, says “something happened”. Right now, it has become the center of jokes and memes on social media. Microsoft may soon publish a proper fix or explanation for the error message. I am expecting that, at least.

2] Start menu cannot hold more than 512 items

Though 512 is a big number and I do not think anyone would pin that many programs or apps to the Start menu, it is still a known issue in Windows 10 that if you go for more than 512 apps, they will disappear from the Start menu. As long as the number of apps pinned to Start menu is less than 512, the app tiles will be visible properly. If you cross the number, the Start menu is messed up.

Microsoft has information on this and they are apparently working to remove the cap.

3] Clipboard issues in Windows 10

This is another known issue – brought to notice by @TomWarren. He tweeted the following:

OK so I am not alone, there is an issue with Windows 10 when it sometimes doesn’t copy using Ctrl+C. Lots of people seeing it. Yikes – Tom Warren (@TomWarren) Jul 29, 2015

There is no fix except to press the key combination again and again until it is copied to the clipboard. Another better option is to right click and from the context menu that appears, select COPY or CUT as the case may be.

4] Windows Store Crashes

This is more of the Store app issue than being a Windows 10 operating system issue. The Windows 10 store app keeps on crashing when you try to download anything. The issue was reported by many – including TWC authors.

Here are two posts from Twitter that further confirm the issue with Windows store:

So far, upgrade to #Windows10 has been pretty smooth on 5 year old PC except I can’t use Cortana or install apps from the Windows store. — CheckedShirtMatt (@ec1matt) July 29, 2015

And,

Why can’t I install anything from the Windows Store I just wanted to play C++ Minecraft — Aar (@Aarmastah) July 29, 2015

There is no fix for the issue but it has been notified to Windows team. I am hoping the issue will be fixed soon. But meanwhile, you can see point 3 of Windows 10 Guru Fixes.

Adds Anand Khanse:

5] Wireless networks are not available

After you upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise, no wireless networks are available. Wired Ethernet connections may also not function properly if you are using built-in Ethernet adapter or a USB Ethernet adapter. This could occur due to the presence of unsupported VPN software. If you are facing this issue, read Wi-Fi does not work after upgrading to Windows 10.

6] Start Menu or Taskbar not working

Some users who upgraded are finding out that their Start Menu does not open in Windows 10. This post will help you fix the problem. See this post if your Taskbar is not working in Windows 10.

7] Windows Store apps are not opening

If Windows Store apps are not opening in Windows 10, after you upgraded, then this post will show you how to fix the problem quickly.

8] Windows Store is not opening

If Windows 10 Store is not working, then run this troubleshooter & fixer from Microsoft.

9] Windows 10 Settings app does not open

For some, the Windows 10 Settings app does not open or launch. Or it opens the Store app instead. Use the Fix It mentioned in the tool. Update KB3081424 will prevent the issue from re-occurring.

10] NVIDIA Graphic Cards not compatible

The graphic drivers are not compatible with Windows 10 at the moment. NVIDIA is working on the issue and soon it will provide compatible drivers so that users can upgrade to Windows 10 without problems. You can search for your NVIDIA GeForce drivers here. Nvidia has released new WHQL drivers for Windows 10.

11] INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error

See this post if you receive INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error after you have upgraded to Windows 10.

12] Office documents do not open

Go here if after upgrading to Windows 10, you find that some of your Office Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents do not open.

13] Installation, Upgrade & Activation problems

• Cannot activate Windows 10. Product Key blocked
• Fix Windows 10 Installation or Upgrade Errors
• Troubleshoot Windows 10 Activation Errors
• Modern Setup Host has stopped working.

14] Windows 10 can’t connect to Internet

See this post if Windows 10 cannot connect to the Internet.

15] Quick Access is not working

See this post if Quick Access in Windows 10 is not working or broken.

16] Windows 10 Sound not working

See this post if you need to fix Windows 10 Sound and Audio problems

17] Other

Microsoft has also released a set of automated solutions and troubleshooters to solve Windows 10 problems. If you are facing other issues, please search on this website. I am sure that you will find some solution. Check this post if you have Full-screen problems while playing games, etc and this one if Files are missing after Windows 10 upgrade. This post will help you if your Windows 10 can’t find DVD or CD drive. and this one if your PC crashes with a Blue Screen when you launch Edge browser.

See this post for some possible resolutions for your Windows 10 Anniversary Update problems.

NOTES: Windows 10 users may want to download

1] Windows 10 users may want to download FixWin 10 for Windows 10. It automates many fixes and lets you resolve issues in a click!

2] Windows Software Repair Tool from Microsoft will repair system components and detect corrupt files, resync System date and Time, reset System Settings, reinstall System Applications and run the DISM Tool to repair system image, with a click.

If you know of anything more that can be included in the list, please comment.

Incidentally, Microsoft has made it easier for you to contact Support if you face any problems while using Windows 10. See how to use the Contact Support app.