Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

In Windows 11, Microsoft Store is the one-stop-shop to get apps for your computer. Apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store are distinct as they are not installed as traditional desktop software. Instead, these receive updates through the Store. Given the reputation of Microsoft Store for being unreliable and difficult, it is no wonder that these Apps too, face similar concerns. Many customers have reported that once the app is launched, the app crashes and This app can’t open warning appears. Thus, we bring a perfect guide to fix apps can’t or won’t open in Windows 11 problem.

How to Fix App Can't Open in Windows 11

How to Fix Apps Can’t or Won’t Open in Windows 11

Microsoft Store is infamous for having bugs. So, you should not be surprised that your apps are facing problems. This app can’t open issue can be caused by several reasons, such as:

  • Buggy apps or Microsoft store application
  • User Account Control setting conflicts
  • Corrupt Store cache
  • Conflicts caused due to Antivirus or Firewall
  • Outdated Windows OS
  • Disabled Windows Update service

Method 1: Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Microsoft is aware that the Store application is malfunctioning often. As a result, Windows 11 comes with a built-in troubleshooter for Microsoft Store. Here’s how to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 using Windows Store Apps troubleshooter:

1. Press Windows + I keys together to open Settings app.

2. In the System tab, scroll down and click on Troubleshoot, as shown.

Troubleshoot option in the settings. How to Fix Apps Can't Open in Windows 11

3. Click on Other troubleshooters under Options.

Other troubleshooters options in Settings

4. Click on Run for Windows Store apps.

Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter. How to Fix Apps Can't Open in Windows 11

5. Allow the troubleshooter to identify and fix issues.

Method 2: Repair or Reset Troubling App

Here are the steps to fix apps can’t open on Windows 11 by repairing or resetting the trouble-causing app:

1. Click on the Search icon and type the Name of the app you are facing trouble with.

2. Then, click on App settings, as shown.

Start menu search results for the app you are facing trouble with

3. Scroll down to the Reset section.

4A. Click on Repair to repair the app.

4B. If repairing the app does not fix the issue, then click on Reset button.

Reset and Repair options for Microsoft Store

Also Read: How to Update Microsoft PowerToys App on Windows 11

Method 3: Reinstall Malfunctioning App

If the above method is unable to fix apps won’t open issue on Windows 11 PC, then reinstalling the malfunctioning app should certainly help.

1. Press Windows + X keys simultaneously to open the Quick Link menu.

2. Click Apps and features from the given list.

Quick Link menu. How to Fix Apps Can't Open in Windows 11

3. Scroll through the list of installed apps and click on the three-dotted icon for the trouble-causing app.

4. Then, click on Uninstall, as shown.

Note: We have shown TranslucentTB as an example here.

Translucent TB Uninstall win11

5. Click on Uninstall again in the confirmation dialog box, as depicted below.

Confirmation dialog box for uninstalling Microsoft Teams

6. Now, click on the Search icon and type Microsoft Store. Then, click on Open, as shown.

Start menu search results for Microsoft Store

7. Search for the app that you uninstalled. Select the App and click on the Install button.

Translucent TB Install Microsoft store win11

Method 4: Clear Microsoft Store Cache

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache can help you fix apps can’t open on Windows 11 issue, as follows:

1. Click on the Search icon and type wsreset. Then, click on Open, as shown.

Start menu search results for wsreset. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

Let the cache be cleared.

2. Microsoft Store will open automatically after the process is completed. Now, you should be able to open the desired apps.

Method 5: Re-register Microsoft Store

Because Microsoft Store is a system application, it cannot be removed and reinstalled normally. Doing so is also not advisable. However, you can re-register the application to your system using Windows PowerShell console. This may remove bugs or glitches in the application and possibly, fix apps can’t or won’t open issue in Windows 11 computers.

1. Click on the Search icon and type Windows PowerShell.

2. Click on Run as administrator, shown highlighted.

Start menu search results for Windows PowerShell

3. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

4. Type the given command and press the Enter key.

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + 'AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}

Windows PowerShell. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

5. Finally, try opening Microsoft Store once again and use apps as needed.

Also Read: How to Pin Apps to Taskbar on Windows 11

Method 6: Enable Windows Update Service

The Microsoft Store is dependent on several services and components, one of which is the Windows Update service. If this service is disabled, it causes a slew of problems with the functioning of the app, including apps won’t open issue on Windows 11.

1. Press Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box.

2. Type services.msc and click on OK to launch Services window.

Run dialog box

3. Find Windows Update service and right-click on it.

4. Click on Properties in the context menu, as illustrated below.

Services window. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

5. Set the Startup type is set to Automatic and Service status to Running by clicking on the Start button, as shown highlighted.

Windows Update service properties

6. Click on Apply > OK to save these changes.

Method 7: Update Windows

Another method to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 is to update Windows OS, as follows:

1. Launch Settings as earlier.

2. Select Windows Update in the left pane.

3. Click on Check for updates button in the right pane.

4. If there is any update available, click on Download & install.

Windows update tab in Settings app. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

5. Wait for the updates to be installed. Finally, restart your computer.

Also Read: How to Download and Install Optional Updates in Windows 11

Method 8: Change User Account Control Settings

Here’s how to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 by changing user account control settings:

1. Click on the Search icon and type Control Panel. Then, click on Open, as shown.

Start menu search results for Control Panel. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

2. Click on User Accounts.

Note: Make sure you set View by: > Category in the top right-hand corner of the window.

Control Panel window

3. Now, click on User Accounts once again.

User account window. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

4. Click on Change User Account Control settings.

User accounts. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

5. Drag the slider to the topmost level marked Always notify me when:

  • Apps try to install software or make changes to my computer.
  • I make changes to Windows settings.

User Account Control settings

6. Click on OK.

7. Lastly, click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

Method 9: Create Local Account

It is possible that your user account has bugs or is corrupt. In this case, creating a new local account and using it to access apps & Microsoft Store will help fix apps won’t open on Windows 11 issue. Read our guide on How to Create a Local Account in Windows 11 here to create one and then, grant it required privileges.

Method 10: Fix License Service

Issues with Windows license service might also create problems. Thus, fix it as follows:

1. Right-click any empty space on the Desktop.

2. Select New >Text Document in the right-click context menu.

Right click context menu on Desktop

3. Double-click on the New Text Doc to open it.

4. In the Notepad window, type the following as shown.

echo off
net stop clipsvc
if “%1?==”” (
echo ==== BACKING UP LOCAL LICENSES
move %windir%\serviceprofiles\localservice\appdata\local\microsoft\clipsvc\tokens.dat %windir%\serviceprofiles\localservice\appdata\local\microsoft\clipsvc\tokens.bak
)
if “%1?==”recover” (
echo ==== RECOVERING LICENSES FROM BACKUP
copy %windir%\serviceprofiles\localservice\appdata\local\microsoft\clipsvc\tokens.bak %windir%\serviceprofiles\localservice\appdata\local\microsoft\clipsvc\tokens.dat
)
net start clipsvc

copy the code in notepad

5. Click on File > Save As… shown highlighted.

File menu. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

6. In the File name: text field, type License Fix.bat and click on Save.

Save As dialog box. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

7. Close the notepad.

8. Right-click on the .bat file you created and click on Run as administrator from the context menu.

Right click context menu

Also Read: How to Set Up Windows Hello on Windows 11

Method 11: Perform Clean Boot

Windows Clean Boot feature starts your computer without any third-party service or application to interfere with system files so that you can detect the cause and fix it. Follow these steps to perform clean boot to fix apps not opening issue in Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box.

2. Type msconfig and click on OK to launch System Configuration window.

msconfig in the run dialog box

3. Under General tab, select Diagnostic startup.

4. Click on Apply > OK as shown.

System Configuration window. How to Fix Critical Process Died Error in Windows 11

5. Click on Restart in the pop-up prompt that appears to clean boot your PC.

Confirmation dialog box for restarting computer.

Method 12: Use Local Security Policy Services

You can use group policy editor to fix apps won’t open in Windows 11 problem. Follow these steps to do so.

1. Launch Run dialog box, type secpol.msc and click on OK.

Run dialog box. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

2. In the Local Security Policy window, expand Local Policies node and click on.Security options.

3. Then scroll down the right pane and enable the following policies.

  • User account control: Detect application installation and prompt for elevation
  • User account control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode

Local security policy editor. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

4. Click on the Search icon and type Command Prompt. Then, click on Run as administrator.

Start menu search results for Command Prompt

5. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

6. Here, type gpupdate /force and press the Enter key to execute.

Command prompt window

7. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Also Read: How to Enable Group Policy Editor in Windows 11 Home Edition

Method 13: Disable Windows Defender Firewall (Not Recommended)

Turning off Windows Firewall can be dangerous. This procedure should only be used if all other options have failed. Remember to turn the Firewall back on once you have closed the app or before you access the internet. Follow these steps to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 by disabling Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Click on the Search icon and type Windows Defender Firewall, then click on Open.

Start menu search results for Windows Defender Firewall

2. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the left pane.

Left pane options in Windows Defender Firewall window. How to Fix Apps Can’t Open in Windows 11

3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both Private network settings and Public network settings.

4. Click on OK and resume working on the desired apps.

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