Solved All tiles are gone

[Melampo]

What are your thoughts?

I do really like Windows 8, but this kind of situation really gets me angry: I did not get any virus, I did not mess up with the settings, I did not install some random driver, I did not do anything wrong. The only thing I've done is updating the system, and that did the deed.
I guess I'll use the desktop mode for some time, waiting for a solution and checking periodically this thread.
Maybe I'll refresh the OS when I've got some spare time to use

Thanks a lot http://www.eightforums.com/member.php?u=6031HipsieGypsie for all the help and all the time you have dedicated to my issue

HippsieGypsie

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Your welcome, although I don't feel I was much help except to diagnose what the problem is. You must like 8 if you installed it on three computers. Software is very fickle. What may work on one machine may not work on another.

One last question. What AV are you using? Are you using that particular one on the other two machines? What I'm getting at is what's different on that machine than the other two?

 

[Melampo]

I'm using Windows Defender on all of my computers.
There's nothing really different between the three Windows 8 installations: the one where i got this problem was mostly used for photo editing, so lots of heavy graphic softwares were installed, like Photoshop, Maya and Lightroom.
None of them has been installed in the last week, so I doubt that we're talking about an issue generated by a third part program

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Ok, Milampo, my good friend from Italy! Thanks for the rep. That was kind of you!

Defender is what I use also. I feel I don't need anything else. I've come to the conclusion that it was an update. Just one little mistake in the code will mess it up. Why it works on one machine and not the other remains a mystery.

I'll keep my eyes open for a solution. If I find one I'll let you know for sure. Please do the same.

 

[SIW2]

You're lucky.

The only way I could get rid of the MS supplied crapware was to remove it from the install media.

Today, after installing the latest upgrades, I was given wellcome by a completely purple start screen (which is not even the color combination I choose) with no tiles: nothing, except the violet backgroung and the "start" logo in the corner.
All the tiles and the Metro apps are gone.
Using CTRL+ALT+CANC I'm able to get to the classic desktop, and I can even summon the charm bar, but when I try to run a metro app, even the Settings one, nothing happens.

I'm using an original copy of Windows 8 PRO 64 bit with all the available upgrades installed.

I really don't know what to do

 

[Melampo]

Bad news: I'm experiencing this issue on other machines running Windows 8.
It is surely not related to my hardware configuration.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I'm sorry to hear that, Melampo. what I'm not understanding is that some have problems with updates and some don't. It must be frustrating for you and others. The only thing I can think of is to contact MS and give them hell! What else is there to do?

I'd push for remote connection to let them fix it. Let them take the time. Why should you waist yours?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

You're lucky.

The only way I could get rid of the MS supplied crapware was to remove it from the install media.

Today, after installing the latest upgrades, I was given wellcome by a completely purple start screen (which is not even the color combination I choose) with no tiles: nothing, except the violet backgroung and the "start" logo in the corner.
All the tiles and the Metro apps are gone.
Using CTRL+ALT+CANC I'm able to get to the classic desktop, and I can even summon the charm bar, but when I try to run a metro app, even the Settings one, nothing happens.

I'm using an original copy of Windows 8 PRO 64 bit with all the available upgrades installed.

I really don't know what to do

He's lucky? What, to have problems? What kind of statement is that to someone in need and is frustrated, especially a new member? I suggest that if "stripping the crapware" is your solution, post how that's performed, otherwise I feel you're adding fuel to the fire.

 

[Melampo]

I just found out that I'm able to activate the guest account and log in using it. It just works, all the tiles are there and everything is ok.
Maybe deleting my main account and then log in again would help, but I can't do that since I have no admin rights in a guest account.

 

[Melampo]

Solved!
(I can't believe I'm actually writing this)

Here's what I did to get my account back and working by deleting and re-creating it

1. Log into your profile, you'll see the usual empty Start Screen.
2. Control-Alt-Canc > Task Manager. This will get you to the desktop
3. In the Task Manager window, select More Details
4. On the top left corner, click on Run and than New Task
5. Write cmd and make sure to check the option that says Create this task with administratives privileges. Hit ok.
6. In cmd, create a new admin account with these commands: net user /add [username] [password] (Change username and pass to whatever you want). Hit enter.
7. Write Net localgroup administrators [username] /add (where username is the name of the account you have previously created.). Hit ok. Close cmd.
8. Back to the empty Start Screen. On the top right corner click on your profile picture and log out
9. You should now see the profile in the Log In screen. Log into the new account you've just created.
10. After the Windows 8 introduction, get to the Control Panel. Click on User Accounts and Family Safety, then on Add or Remove User Accounts.
11. Select your old profile and delete it. Make sure to save all your datas during the wizard and move them to the new account. The procedure can take up to 10 minutes.
12. Summon the charm bar with your mouse (top right corner) and go to Settings. Click on Change PC Settings
13. Select the option to connect your local account to a Windows Live one. Enter the mail and the pass you were using with the old profile.
14. Windows 8 should now syncronize all your settings, apps and password, plus you still have all your files
15. You should now have a fully working admin account, identical to the previous one.

Hope it helps
Thanks HippsieGypsie for his help.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Oh good for you, Melampo! How did you find that using the guest account would work? It's confusing to me that it worked, although I may see somehow an update screwed up files or settings in the original admin account.

I would have thought the OS was trashed, but I see creating another admin account works. Good work, Melampo! Thanks for posting the solution.