I cannot run any game even after a fresh Windows install

[venn]

The server Windows.Gaming.GameBar.PresenceServer.Internal.PresenceWriter did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.

Hi, I started getting this error in Event Viewer today, any game I run crashes instantly when the Xbox Game Bar usually pops in.

Messed with uninstalling it and to no avail, so I reset my PC. Now on a fresh install, I still get this.

Windows 10. Any ideas?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Because after a fresh OS install, you have more work to do first.

First thing is go to Network and change it from Public to Private; this dictates which Firewall Rules the OS will use. As most 3rd party services and such are blocked when using Public.

Then you will need the following:
> Enable NET/ASP Framework
> Enable Legacy > DirectPlay
via Classic Control Panel > Programs & Features > Turn Windows Features On/Off

Download + Install DirectX Runtime June 2010 Redist Package
When you run it, it asks where to extract, type in c:\dx
Click OK. Then go to that folder, right click DXSETUP.EXE > Run As Admin
Follow the steps on the popup screen until done.

Download + Install Visual C Runtimes all-in-one package to cover everything for VC stuff, as this will be needed for various apps, games and even drivers.

Reboot as needed until done.

After this go and update the OS fully via Windows Updates.

May need to reboot a few times in order to get it all done.

After that download + install all latest Drivers for everything; Motherboard Chipset, GPU(s), Audio, LAN, WIFI, BT; etc.

After that launch the Microsoft Store App > click Library in lower left corner > then on that page, click Get Updates in upper right corner. Once the page refreshes with installed apps that have updates, click Update All.

[venn]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

Because after a fresh OS install, you have more work to do first.

First thing is go to Network and change it from Public to Private; this dictates which Firewall Rules the OS will use. As most 3rd party services and such are blocked when using Public.

Then you will need the following:
> Enable NET/ASP Framework
> Enable Legacy > DirectPlay
via Classic Control Panel > Programs & Features > Turn Windows Features On/Off

Download + Install DirectX Runtime June 2010 Redist Package
When you run it, it asks where to extract, type in c:\dx
Click OK. Then go to that folder, right click DXSETUP.EXE > Run As Admin
Follow the steps on the popup screen until done.

Download + Install Visual C Runtimes all-in-one package to cover everything for VC stuff, as this will be needed for various apps, games and even drivers.

Reboot as needed until done.

After this go and update the OS fully via Windows Updates.

May need to reboot a few times in order to get it all done.

After that download + install all latest Drivers for everything; Motherboard Chipset, GPU(s), Audio, LAN, WIFI, BT; etc.

After that launch the Microsoft Store App > click Library in lower left corner > then on that page, click Get Updates in upper right corner. Once the page refreshes with installed apps that have updates, click Update All.

Thanks, it seems very strange that this is needed, but OK, giving it a shot.

How do I enable NET/ASP Framework?

I do not think VC redist or DX are needed, as they are installed when first running a game.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

If your games installed what's needed then you wouldn't have any game issues.

You downloaded and installed ALL your hardware drivers first right?

[venn]

Yes I did.
Naturally, as it was working fine two days ago, it started crashing the morning after a night of gaming, I thought it'd be some Windows update ♥♥♥♥♥♥ it up, instead of uninstalling the latest updates, I tried rolling back to a system restore point, but that failed and aborted.
So, then I tried uninstalling the updates but made no difference.
I haven't been able to get another mouse yet, would love to know if games crash without a mouse connected, but I don't have another computer handy to try it.

[venn]

I don't have a real fresh install though, tried two methods of reinstalling from a running system, both turned out different but recreated the same profile so... Might be it's still a broken install.

I will try to make a bootable USB to install cleanly, maybe after that it will work.

Problem is, I see a lot of people reporting this issue on Microsoft forums, but there's not a clear, working solution. Many reports from this month, too.

[venn]

Tried running some old, cracked games and those work. Nothing runs from Steam, though.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Well that also depends on how you did the reinstall; such as Factory Reset of the OS; it provides choices such as "Wipe everything, reinstall OS" -or- "Keep my apps & files"

[venn]

I tried installing fresh from a USB stick and get the exact same issue.

I can't ever recall a time when such an extensive failure persists even after a fresh install, and I've done hundreds of them in 25 years as an ICT support technician.

Even if there were some faulty hardware, having generic software such as "games which invoke the game bar" fail every single time after a fresh install, seems like an impossible situation to find.

I will get a mouse today, finally, and see if that helps at all, though I know it sounds ridiculous.

[venn]

After 3 reinstalls, I found the fix:

It was the lack of a mouse! Unlikely as it seems, once I managed to get a new mouse and plug it in, games started launching successfully.