Microsoft likes to provide its products with lots of apps, and while some apps are good, others aren’t. The real problems start when these Windows applications stop working and cause errors. Worse is the case where they just crash and don’t even show an error.
There can be different reasons for these problems. Some users have reported that the recent Windows 10 update has messed things up. Other users have said that the problem is related to their user accounts.
In this guide, we will look at some potential solutions that can help with Windows apps not working properly.
Let’s get started.
1. Update the app
Just like the Windows OS, Microsoft also releases updates to their applications to fix bugs and other problems. Perhaps there is an update for the broken app? Launch the Windows Store and click the menu icon to select Downloads and updates.
Now click on Get updates to update all apps. That may take some time.
When the update is complete, check to see if the Windows application is working again.
2. Repair/Reset/Reinstall Apps
Windows 10 offers a feature that allows users to repair and reset apps (other than uninstalling them) that don’t launch or work properly. Luckily, the folks at Microsoft have grouped all three options in one screen. To get started, press Windows key + I to launch Settings and select Applications.
Under Apps & features, when you scroll a bit, you’ll find a list of all apps. Assuming it’s the 3D Viewer that doesn’t work on your system. Click on it to bring up the Advanced options.
Scroll a bit to find three options. Repair, Reset and Uninstall. Depending on the application, some options may be grayed out.
The first option will try to fix the application by repairing corrupted application files and looking for errors and errors. The second option will delete all default settings, unsaved documents and reinstall the application. The Uninstall option, if not greyed out, can be used if repair and reset does not resolve the error.
Microsoft won’t let you uninstall or even repair all apps. If you can, do that and reinstall the app from the Windows Store by searching for its name, clicking the Get button.
Many users have reported that installing apps directly from a 3rd party website instead of the Windows Store also helps to resolve the issue. Check if you can find the application’s .exe file. If not, reinstall from the Windows Store.
3. Restore Windows Store Cache
All Microsoft apps are currently only available on the Windows Store. A Microsoft support guy/girl suggested that clearing the Windows Store cache and restoring it to its previous glory might solve the problem. To do so, press Windows key + X on your keyboard and select CMD or PowerShell with administrator privileges.
Type the command below and press Enter.
wsreset.exe
That will do the trick. Try and see if the relevant Windows application still throws up any errors.
4. App Troubleshooter
If the above solution fails, Windows provides an App Troubleshooter that can help with Windows 10 apps not working problem. Open Control Panel by searching for it.
Search for troubleshooting in the search bar in the upper right corner and select Troubleshoot.
Select Hardware and Sound in the next screen.
Here you will find Windows Store Apps option. I’m not sure what it’s doing under hardware and sound options, but here it is.
You will now see a pop-up window. Click Advanced here and select Apply Repair Automatically.
That will scan all Windows applications installed on your system and will look for anomalies. Follow the onscreen instructions if it finds anything.
5. Windows Update Service
Windows Update Service is responsible for updating Windows applications. Microsoft says that if this service is not running, Windows applications will not run or remain open or even continue to crash.
To test, press Windows key + R to open Run command and type service.msc before pressing Enter.
Find Windows Update in the list and make sure that Startup Type is set to Automatic.
If not, double-click it and choose Automatic from the drop-down menu.
Click Apply and OK. Note that Manual is also good enough, but since we are running into Windows app related errors this might help resolve them.
6. PowerShell Commands
As the name suggests, this is a PowerShell command that will re-register all Windows applications with Microsoft’s servers. Use the same method as above to open PowerShell.
Get-AppXPackage -All Users | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Don’t forget to press Enter after typing the command.
7. User Accounts
Recently, a member of our team assembled a desktop and encountered the same error. He was able to solve the problem by creating a new user account. Upon further investigation, this appears to be a fairly common issue that has been fixed by Microsoft. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Account.
Under Family & other users, click Add someone else to this PC.
Enter your login details in the next screen.
Once you have created a new user account, in Settings, in the same screen, select the newly created user account and click Change account type.
In the next screen, select Administrator and save. The new account now has administrative rights and can open any Windows application. Restart your computer and sign in with the new account. You can then transfer the data from the other account to the new account.
There’s an app for everything
There is an app for almost everything these days. If you have a need, there is an app that addresses that need. Though more often than not, these apps work flawlessly, and at times, they may not work as intended. If you have found another way to solve the Windows application not working error, please share below.
Next up: Want to use dark mode in Windows 10 but it doesn’t work in File Explorer? Here are some ways to resolve this error.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
