Fix Windows 10/11 Apps Not Launching: Repair and Reset

Prerequisites and compatibility​

• Sign in with the Windows account that normally uses the affected app.
• Close the affected app before starting. If it is stuck:
  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Select the app under Processes.
  3. Select End task.
• Have the app’s sign-in details available before choosing Reset.
• If the app stores unsynchronized files locally, export or copy them first if possible. A reset can remove local app data, downloads, offline content, saved settings, and account sessions for that one app.
• Repair and Reset are available only for apps that expose those options. Some Microsoft Store apps, built-in Windows apps, and MSIX/AppX apps support them; some traditional desktop programs do not.
• A restart is not normally required after repairing or resetting one app, but restart Windows if the app still fails to start or if Windows requests it.

Warning: Do not choose Reset until you have tried Repair. Reset removes the affected app’s local data. It does not reset Windows or remove data from unrelated apps.

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Primary procedure: repair, then reset the affected app​

1. Confirm that Windows itself is responsive​

Before repairing an app, verify that the issue is limited to that app.

1. Open Start and launch another built-in app, such as Settings, Notepad, or File Explorer.
2. If only one app fails, continue with the repair steps below.
3. If several apps, the Start menu, or Settings itself will not open, skip to Troubleshooting: several apps fail to launch.

Expected result: you identify whether this is an individual-app problem or a broader Windows problem.

2. Repair the app in Windows Settings​

Windows 11​

1. Select Start > Settings.
2. Select Apps > Installed apps.
3. Find the affected app. Use the search box if necessary.
4. Select the three-dot button beside the app.
5. Select Advanced options.
6. Scroll to the Reset section.
7. Select Repair.
8. Wait for the button to become available again or for the repair indicator to finish.
9. Close Settings and try opening the app from Start.

Expected result: Windows reloads or refreshes the app installation without deleting its app data. If it launches normally, stop here.

Windows 10​

1. Select Start > Settings.
2. Select Apps > Apps & features.
3. Select the affected app.
4. Select Advanced options.
5. Scroll to the Reset section.
6. Select Repair.
7. Wait for the repair action to complete.
8. Close Settings and open the app again.

Expected result: the app opens and its existing preferences, locally stored content, and sign-in state remain available.

3. Reset the app if Repair did not resolve the problem​

Use this step only when the app still will not launch after repair.

Warning: Reset permanently deletes data stored locally by that app, including settings, cached content, offline files, and sign-in information. Data already synchronized to the app provider’s cloud service is usually restored after you sign in again, but verify this before continuing.

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Windows 11​

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Select the three-dot button beside the affected app.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Under Reset, select Reset.
5. Select Reset again in the confirmation prompt.
6. Wait until the action finishes.
7. Open the app from Start.
8. Sign in again and complete any first-run setup prompts.

Windows 10​

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Select the affected app, then select Advanced options.
3. Under Reset, select Reset.
4. Select Reset again to confirm.
5. Wait for Windows to complete the reset.
6. Open the app and sign in again if required.

Expected result: the app starts as if it has been freshly installed for the current Windows account. Its prior local settings and cached data are removed.

4. Restart and test the specific action that failed​

1. Save work in other programs.
2. Select Start > Power > Restart.
3. After signing in, open the repaired or reset app.
4. Test the exact task that previously failed—for example, opening a document in Photos, loading a page in Microsoft Store, or starting a game from the Xbox app.
5. If the app opens but fails only with a particular file, account, add-in, or website, the application installation may be healthy and the problem may be with that item instead.

Expected result: the app remains open and can complete its normal startup activity without immediately closing, freezing, or displaying the original error.

Verification of success​

The repair or reset was successful when all of the following are true:

• The app appears in the Start menu and opens normally.
• It stays open for at least several minutes without closing unexpectedly.
• It can load its main screen, sign in if needed, and complete a basic task.
• The app no longer shows its prior startup error.
• Windows Settings remains responsive after the app launches.

If the app starts after Reset but you must configure it again, that is expected. Restore only data that is known to be safe, such as cloud-synced documents or settings. Do not immediately import an old local configuration if it may have caused the launch failure.

Alternate method: repair a traditional desktop program​

Some traditional desktop programs do not show Advanced options, Repair, or Reset in Settings. If the program provides its own installer-based repair option, use Control Panel instead.

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and select Control Panel.
2. Select Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Find the affected desktop program.
4. Right-click it and select Repair.
   • If Repair is not available, select Change and look for a repair option in the program’s setup window.
5. Follow the program’s on-screen instructions.
6. Restart Windows if the installer requests it.
7. Test the program again.

Expected result: the program’s installer repairs missing or damaged program files without normally removing its user data. The available choices vary by software publisher.

If there is no repair option, uninstalling and reinstalling the program from its original publisher or the Microsoft Store is usually the appropriate next step. Before uninstalling, export application-specific data and confirm whether the program uses a license key, activation limit, or locally stored work files.

Warning: Uninstalling can remove app data and may deactivate or remove the program. Back up its local data and record license information before you remove it.

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Troubleshooting and escalation​

The Repair or Reset buttons are missing​

This is common with some desktop applications and with apps managed by an organization.

• For a traditional desktop program, use Control Panel > Programs and Features and check for Repair or Change.
• For an app installed through Microsoft Store, open Microsoft Store, search for the app, and check whether an Update, Open, or reinstall option is available.
• If the app is work- or school-managed, Settings may be restricted by organization policy. Contact the organization’s IT administrator rather than attempting to bypass management controls.
• If the app is not listed under Installed apps, reinstall it from its legitimate source. Do not download replacement installers from unofficial “driver,” “DLL,” or software-download sites.

Microsoft Store will not open or apps from the Store will not launch​

First clear the Microsoft Store cache.

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type:
   wsreset.exe
3. Select OK.
4. A blank Command Prompt window may appear briefly. Leave it open.
5. After approximately 10 seconds, the window should close and Microsoft Store should open automatically.
6. Restart Windows, then test the Store and the affected Store app.

If the Store problem continues, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

Windows 11​

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Windows Store Apps.
3. Select Run.
4. Apply any recommended fix, then restart if prompted.

Windows 10​

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Select Additional troubleshooters.
3. Select Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter.
4. Apply recommended fixes and restart if prompted.

Several Windows apps fail, or Settings and Start also behave incorrectly​

When multiple built-in apps fail, repair the Windows component store and protected system files. This does not intentionally remove personal files or installed applications, but it requires an administrator account and may take longer than 15 minutes.

1. Save your work and connect to the internet.
2. Open Start, type cmd.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
4. Select Yes if User Account Control asks for permission.
5. Run this command:
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
6. Wait for the command to finish. Do not close the window while it is running.
7. When it completes, run:
   sfc /scannow
8. Wait until verification reaches 100%.
9. Restart Windows.
10. Test the failing apps again.

Expected results include:

• Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations: Windows did not detect protected-file corruption.
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them: restart, then test apps.
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them: run Windows Update, restart, and repeat the DISM and SFC sequence once before escalating.

The app still fails immediately after Reset​

Check these realistic causes before resetting the entire PC:

1. Pending Windows updates:
   • Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
     Install offered updates, restart, and test again.
2. Insufficient system-drive space:
   Open File Explorer > This PC and verify that the Windows drive has available space. Low storage can prevent Store apps from updating, creating caches, or launching. Free space, restart, and retry.
3. Incorrect date, time, or region:
   Open Settings > Time & language and enable automatic time settings where available. An incorrect clock or region can prevent account authentication and Microsoft Store services from working correctly.
4. Security software or a clean-boot conflict:
   If the app works in a new Windows user account or after temporarily disabling a non-Microsoft security product according to its vendor instructions, the issue may be a security rule, user-profile setting, or third-party startup conflict. Re-enable protection immediately after testing; do not leave security software disabled.
5. Damaged Windows user profile:
   Create a separate local test account, sign in to it, and launch the app. If it works there, the app installation may be sound but the original profile’s app data or settings may be damaged. Copy personal files carefully and seek profile-repair assistance rather than repeatedly resetting the same app.

If multiple apps remain broken after DISM, SFC, updates, and restarts, use Windows recovery options rather than manually deleting app-package folders or registry entries. Start with System Restore if the problem began after a recent driver, app, or settings change. If the system has broader, persistent software problems, back up important files and consider Reset this PC with Keep my files; this reinstalls Windows but removes installed desktop applications and may require app reinstallation afterward.

References​

1. Official source: support.microsoft.com
   
   

   Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files | Microsoft Support

   Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows.

   support.microsoft.com
2. Official source: support.microsoft.com
   
   

   Repair apps and programs in Windows | Microsoft Support

   Repair programs in Control Panel.

   support.microsoft.com