Why?

 Microsoft is investigating an issue where users are unable to access applications in Windows after a recent update.

Impact

This impacts all Windows machines managed by WPI IT, including classroom, lab and conference room podiums. This can impact any application's shortcut file; it is  not limited to Microsoft apps.

Action Needed

Web applications are available (linked in Actions). Applications no longer appearing in Search, Startup or Taskbar can be opened from their file path (more in Details).

Details

Updates can be found on the Microsoft 365 Status Twitter account:  https://twitter.com/MSFT365Status (linked in Actions).

Quick Taskbar Tip:

To add an open application to the Windows taskbar:

1. Right click on the icon in the taskbar

2. Select Pin to taskbar

Workarounds:

Typing (or copying and pasting from below list) the file path into the Windows search bar will open the application.

Cherwell = C:\Program Files (x86)\Cherwell Software\Cherwell Service Management\Trebuchet.App.exe

Chrome = C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

Excel = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\excel.exe

Outlook = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe

PowerPoint = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\POWERPNT.EXE

Publisher = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\MSPUB.exe

Word = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\winword.exe

Additional Workarounds Confirmed for Classroom Podiums:

Chrome, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word paths above can be used.

Maple =  C:\Program Files\Maple 2022\bin.X86_64_WINDOWS\maplew.exe

Mathcad = C:\Program Files (x86)\Mathcad\Mathcad 15\mathcad.exe

Solstice =  C:\Program Files\Mersive\SolsticeClient\SolsticeClient.exe

Zoom =  C:\Program Files\Zoom\bin\Zoom.exe

Labs

MATLAB can also be accessed on these terminal servers using instructions in Related Articles:

  • matlab01.wpi.edu
  • matlab02.wpi.edu
  • windows.wpi.edu
  • elabs.wpi.edu

VS Code: C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

Visual Studio: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\Common7\IDE\denenv.exe