Unlike regular software that you install on Windows, Apps either come pre-installed with Windows or can be downloaded and installed through Microsoft Store. Although these apps have been designed to work correctly in the Windows environment, they may malfunction at times. One of Windows 10 users’ issues with the apps quite commonly is that the Apps won’t open. This might get frustrating if you need to use these apps on your PC, and they refuse to run.
Why are my apps not opening on Windows 10?
The issue might occur with just a specific app, a few apps, or almost all the apps on your PC. And there is no definite reason due to which this problem might trouble you. There could be several reasons behind this issue, ruining your experience with apps in Windows 10.
Some of the top reasons that could lead to Windows Apps not opening are outdated Windows OS, issues with a specific app, issues with the service responsible for running the app, and more.
How do I fix Windows apps not opening?
In this article, we look at various solutions that can help you fix issues related to the Windows app and Microsoft Store on your PC.
Update Windows 10
If the Windows operating system installed on your PC is not up to date, it may cause compatibility issues. Due to this, several issues may trouble you, including Apps not opening in Windows 10. The first step that you need to take to fix this issue is to make sure you have the latest version of Windows on your PC. Let us check out the steps to do so:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys. In there, you will see a bunch of options; select the Update & Security option.
Step 2: A new settings window will open. Here, go to the left pane and make sure that the Windows Update option is selected. Now, go to the right panel and make a click on the Check for updates option.
In case a new version of Windows is available for your PC, you will see a prompt about the same. Go ahead and proceed with the Windows update. Once the update process is complete, your PC will restart. After the restart, try to run the problematic app(s) and see if the issue persists.
By Reinstalling Problematic App
If the Windows app not opening issue is limited to a single or a couple of apps on your PC, you might want to reinstall the app(s). It is a relatively simple process that you can try by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Open Windows Store on your PC. For this, press the Win + S keys, then in the Search console that opens, type apps. In the search results, you will see Apps & features; click on it.
Step 2: In the Apps & features setting menu, you will view a list of apps installed on your Windows 10 PC. Make a click on the problematic app, then select the Uninstall option.
Step 3: Once the app is uninstalled from your PC, open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu. When the store opens, type the name of the app in the Store Search Box. Select the app from the search list, and when the app’s page opens, click on the Get option.
After the app is reinstalled on your PC, go ahead and try to run it. Was it able to open successfully?
Make Sure Application Identity Service is Running
The Application Identity Service in Windows 10 is responsible for the apps to run without any issue. If there is an issue with the service which made it stop unexpectedly, it may stop Windows Apps from running on your PC. Follow these steps to check out if the Application Identity Service is running:
Step 1: Press the Win + R keys. In the Run dialog box that will open, type services.msc and press the Enter key.
Step 2: The Services window will open. Here, look for the service named Application Identity among the list of services. When found, check the service’s status, whether it’s running or not. If not, select the service and click on the Start button.
When the service starts successfully, check whether the problematic app is opening or not. If not, you can try to restart your PC and try again.
Reset Microsoft Store Cache
If Apps don’t open in Windows, you can try to reset Microsoft Store on your PC. By doing so, the Store cache will be reset without disturbing the account added to the store, without changing any settings, and without uninstalling any app. Here are the steps:
Step 1: After opening the Search panel by pressing the Win + S keys, type cmd. In the search result, make a right-click on the Command Prompt option, select the Run as Administrator option.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: wsreset.exe and hot the Enter key.
Windows Store will reset. Now, see whether you are still facing the apps not opening in Windows 10 issue.
Check if Correct Permission is Set for C Drive
If there’s any ownership conflict for C Drive on your PC, it may stop Windows Apps from running on your PC. In such a case, you will have to set correct ownership for the C Drive. It is a simple but lengthy process, so follow the steps mentioned below carefully:
Step 1: Go to your PC’s Desktop and open This PC. In the This PC window, make a right-click on the C drive and select the Properties option.
Step 2: The C Drive Properties window will open. Here, go to the Security tab and select the Advanced option.
Step 3: A new window will open. Here, select the Change option located under the Owner section.
Step 4: Again, a new sub-window will open. Here click on the Advanced… button available at the bottom.
Step 5: In the next step, click on the Find Now button. A list of users on your PC will appear in the search result section. Here, select the Administrator and select Ok.
Step 6: You will be taken back to the previous window now. Here, select the Ok button.
Step 7: On the next screen, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option, then click on Apply then Ok to apply the settings on your PC.
Once the changes have been made, go ahead and reboot your PC. After the reboot, check if you can open Windows Apps on your computer.
Run Microsoft Troubleshooter
There’s a troubleshooter developed by Microsoft that can help you fix issues related to Windows App. Download the Microsoft Troubleshooter here.
After downloading the file on your PC, run it. It will look for issues in your PC and fix them if found. Once the troubleshooter has done its job, reboot your PC.
By Changing FilterAdministratorToken in Registry Editor
Here is some tweak that you can make in the Registry Editor if your Apps are not opening in Windows 10. Follow the steps provided here:
Step 1: Press Win + R keys. The Run box will open; here, type Regedit and click on Ok.
Step 2: The Registry Editor will open. Here, go to the left panel and navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINES\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Step 3: Now go to the right panel of the registry editor. Here, see if you can find a key named FilterAdministratorToken. If it’s not there, you will have to create one manually. For this, go to the right pane, make a right-click, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option from the menu that opens. Name the new key as FilterAdministrartorToken.
Step 4: Now, make a double click on the FilterAdministratorToken. A sub-window will open. Here, make sure that the Base value is selected as Hexadecimal and enter Value data as 1. Click on Ok.
Once you have made the changes in Registry Editor, exit the window. Now, give your computer a Reboot. After your PC restarts, try to open the problematic app(s).
PS: We highly recommend you create a Registry Backup before making any changes in the Registry Backup. Also, it is essential to deal with Registry Editor very carefully.
Closing Words
We hope you could get rid of the Apps Won’t open in Windows 10 issue on your PC through these solutions. Do not forget to let us know which one worked for you.