Sticky Notes not starting

[VMHero4Ever]

Hi all,

I am not sure if this is the right place for this issue. But let's see 🙂
Since we generated our master image of Win10-20H2 we have the following issue on our VMware instant clone pool.

If a user clicks on the windows store sticky notes app, it doesn't start correctly. 
There is only a window in the taskbar with a running cycle inside but I am not able to add a new note.

If I close the process/windows and open the sticky notes again. It works!
I also reset my UEM profile but same issue happens everytime again. First start after logon to the instant clone the sticky notes don't start correctly.

Sticky Notes version is: 4.1.6.0

Don't had this issue with the old Windows 10 - 1809 build.
All other appx like calculator, photos, etc don't have issues.

[cbaptiste]

Yeah currently having the same issue. Nothing changed in our environment. We just started hearing user complaining about it. Did you ever found a solution to the issue. 

[jonathanjabez]

This issue seems to be at the OS level and I don't see any relation to Horizon. Please check if this helps.

https://thegeekpage.com/sticky-notes-not-working/

You may try to launch Sticky Notes in Master Image itself to check if the application in the image is working or not.

[Mickeybyte]

I've seen this at a customer once after upgrading the master image to a new Win10 build. We were able to solve it by running the following powershell command at user logon (no elevation needed):

Add-AppxPackage -Register "c:\program files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.1.53.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

We first tried running it once, but at next logon it happened again, so we added it to each user logon. It runs very quick and doesn't really slow down your login time.

[VMHero4Ever]

Hi Mickeybyte,

I tested your command (with the correct sticky notes version) but doesn't solve the issue in my environment.

[cbaptiste]

I was not able to resolve it using that command either. I did however speak with Microsoft and opened a case. Apparently it is a known issue but they do not a solution for it yet.

[VMHero4Ever]

Thanks a lot for your answer!
Do you have any details about this bug? Does it only happen in 20H2?

[Mickeybyte]

It might be related to what is described in this post: Re: Notice: FSlogix and UWP application compatibil... - VMware Technology Network VMTN.

I know the original question was not about FSLogix, but it might be related to the fact some folders are retained that UWP apps have problems with if the computer changes.

[LukeGibbons]

Does anyone know if Microsoft are any closer to resolving this issue? This article describes the exact issue we’re facing perfectly with the taskbar and user experience (only article I can find which describes the exact issue on the web)

We’re also finding this only impacts 20H2 as we had no issues on 1809. I initially thought this was a Horizon Instant Clone issue specific to VMware however we also have this on our physical estate so does look to be an OS issue. I haven’t tried 21H2 so not sure if it’s been resolved in a later build but it’s not been resolved in the 2022-01 cumulative update for 20H2. This is using the 4.2.2.0 version of the app and I have tried the above suggestions and re-registered the app but this does not resolve the issue.

Its not a major inconvenience as simply closing and reopening the app brings up all notes however it’s not ideal for the end user.

[cbaptiste]

I do not believe they figured it out yet. I have a call with them tomorrow morning so they can gather more logs. 

[LukeGibbons]

Would be interesting to know what they suggest so please do keep us updated with any updates. Glad it’s not just me who’s having this issue.

[victor59hk]

I found on a chinese website

you may update NotesApp value to ".", instead the default one "Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App"

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PenWorkspace\Notes

[VMHero4Ever]

I changed the value to "." before first start of StickyNotes. Still the same issue. Doesn't seems to change anything.
Did it work in your enviroment?

[David0121]

I have solved my issue by using powershell to remove and install Sticky Notes.