8 Methods To Fix Apps Not Opening On Windows 11/10

What caused Apps not to Open in Windows 10/11?

Apps may fail to open in Windows 10 or 11 for various reasons. It could be due to a specific app or a problem with the Windows operating system. 

• Compatibility issues with apps can arise from recent updates or software installation. 
• App problems may also result from corrupted system files, registry errors, or hardware/network issues. 
• Malicious code like viruses or malware can damage app files and cause malfunctions. 
• In addition, apps may not open correctly due to low memory or insufficient system resources. Here are some prevalent causes of app crashes and malfunctions on Windows 10/11:

Promptly resolving app opening issues on Windows 10/11 is vital to minimize any adverse effects on the system.

Methods to Fix Apps Not Opening in Windows 11/10

Method 1: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

When facing issues with Windows apps not opening, the initial step is running the built-in Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, automatically identifying and addressing common problems with Windows Store apps.

1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings window.
2. Click Update & Security, and choose the Troubleshoot option in the left panel.
3. Scroll down and click Additional troubleshooters.
4. Scroll down and find the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
5. Click it and choose Run the troubleshooter.

When the troubleshooter diagnoses any problem, the system will then attempt to fix the issue. You can see a full report at the end of the troubleshooting process.

Method 2: Disable the Antivirus App

Another potential cause of app crashes and malfunctions is a conflict with your antivirus software. In some cases, your antivirus app may detect a false positive and block an app. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus app to see if that fixes the problem. 

1. Press Win + X and choose Task Manager from the menu.
2. Choose the Startup tab from the header menu.
3. Find your antivirus application from the list, then click on it and choose the Disable button in the bottom-right of the window.
4. Restart your computer and check if your problem is fixed.

Method 3: Repair or Reset the Problematic App

If you still have problems with specific apps, you can try repairing or resetting them. This will delete temporary files and data and reinstall the app from scratch. To repair or reset an app:

1. Press Win + X and choose Apps and Features from the menu.
2. Locate and click the app you can’t open. From the appearing options, click on the Modify button.
3. Click on the Repair button in the Change, repair or remove installation window.
4. Follow any on-screen instructions and repair your installation.
5. Last, restart your computer for the changes to take place.

Method 4: Check the Windows Update Service

1. Type service in the search box and press Enter.
2. Find and double-click Windows Update in the services list.
3. Find the Startup type section and make sure the service is running. Please click on the Start button if it’s not running.
4. Change Startup type to Manual or Automatic.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Method 5: Check the Application Identity Service

1. Similarly, open the Services window.
2. Look for and double-click the Application Identity service option.
3. Look at the Service status section to make sure it’s running. Otherwise, please click on the Start button below.
4. Wait for the process to finish, then click on Apply and OK to confirm.

Method 6: Change System Drive Ownership

1. Press Win +E to open File Explorer.
2. Locate your system drive where Windows 10/11 is installed.
3. Right-click on it and select Properties.
4. Select the Security tab at the top and click on the Advanced button.
   
5. Go to the Owner section under Name and click on the Change link.
6. Click the Advanced button in the Select User or Group window.
7. Click Find Now, then select Administrators from the Search results and click OK to confirm.
8. Then close the Select User or Group window.
9. In the Advanced Security Settings window, change Owner to Administrators and add the Administrators group to the Permission entries list.
10. Check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects under Owner.
11. Click Apply and OK.

Method 7: Change the Registry Editor

1. Type regedit in the Run box and press Enter.
2. Go to the following location in the Registry Editor window: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
3. Right-click on the blank space in the right pane, then choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it as FilterAdministratorToken.
4. Double-click on FilterAdministratorToken and type 1 into the Value data textbox.
5. Click OK and close Registry Editor.
6. Last, restart your computer.

Method 8: Run SFC

If you’re experiencing problems with multiple apps, there may be corrupt system files on your system. You can use the SFC command to scan for and repair corrupt files.

1. Type Command Prompt in the search box and choose Run as Administrator.
2. Type in the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter to execute it.
3. Then System File Checker will scan your computer and fix all corrupt system files.

Conclusion

If you own a computer, it comes with the user-friendly Windows 10 operating system pre-installed. Despite its cutting-edge technology, some of its features may encounter issues. This guide has provided a comprehensive set of steps to help you fix apps not opening on Windows 11/10. If you have any additional solutions, please don’t hesitate to share them with us in the comments section.