Group Policy Prevents Microsoft Apps Working on Windows 10

I recently ran into an odd problem on my home Windows 10 PC. Even though the machine is my home PC and isn't part of a domain, I started getting a Group Policy error any time I tried to use a program that requires a Microsoft account. This is the error:

"This program is blocked by group policy. For more information contact your system administrator. 0x800704ec"

This error can affect any app or program that uses your Microsoft account. This includes things like the Microsoft Store, the Xbox app, the Feeback app, and even Minecraft.

This error happens when your Microsoft account has been linked to a work or school account that does have a group policy that's preventing the app from running properly. To fix the issue, disassociate the problematic account from your home Microsoft account.

To remove the account, go to Settings > Accounts > Access Work or School. Find any reference to a work or school account associated with your account and choose disconnect. Remember, this is all assuming that you don't mind not having that account associated with your home account.

Windows XP End of Life Update: Win a Microsoft Gift Card for Commenting on This Post

A while back, I wrote a post about the Windows XP End of Support date (yes, it has already passed). Microsoft has generously donated a Microsoft Store Gift Card to help get the message out that it's time to upgrade.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think is the single most important reason to upgrade from Windows XP, or your favourite new feature of Windows 8.1 and you will be entered to a random draw for a $100 Microsoft Store Gift Card. Winners will be selected on July 15th.

Windows XP End of Life is Coming

It's time to move on. Although Windows XP was an important release when it came out, and a surprising number of people and organizations are still running it, it's time to upgrade.

If you know someone still running XP, you should remind him or her in no uncertain terms that 2001 is over. On April 8th, 2014, Windows XP support will end. After that date, there will not be any updates--most notably security updates--for the O/S that should probably be called Windows Classic at this point.

One of my responsibilities at Aquatic Informatics is the supported systems matrix for our software. We had deprecated support for Windows XP a couple of releases ago, but as of our next release, we'll officially be dropping support. There's no doubt that most software companies have already done the same or will be dropping XP support in the near future. So boldly step into the present and take a look at Windows 8.1.

Update: Microsoft has generously donated a Microsoft Store Gift Card to help get the message out that it's time to upgrade.

Leave a comment on my update post and let me know what you think is the single most important reason to upgrade from Windows XP, or your favourite new feature of Windows 8.1 and you will be entered to a random draw for a $100 Microsoft Store Gift Card. Winners will be selected on July 15th.