how to fix 'this app can't open' for built-in win 10 apps
Aug 04, 2025 am 06:56 AM
Re-register built-in apps using PowerShell to fix the "This app can't open" error, which resolves issues caused by corrupted app packages without deleting user data.
If you're seeing the error "This app can't open" when trying to launch built-in Windows 10 apps like Calculator, Settings, Store, or Mail, it's usually due to corrupted app packages, permission issues, or user profile problems. Don’t worry—this is a common issue and can be fixed without reinstalling Windows. Here’s how:
1. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common app issues.
- Press
Win Ito open Settings. - Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- Click Additional troubleshooters.
- Find Windows Store Apps, click it, and select Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
This often resolves minor glitches without further action.
2. Re-register Built-in Apps Using PowerShell
When app packages become corrupted, re-registering them can fix the "This app can't open" error.
?? This will not delete your data, but it resets the apps.
Steps:
- Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
- Paste the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}- Wait for the process to complete (it may take a few minutes).
- Restart your computer and try opening the app again.
? Note: You might see some red error messages for uninstalled or optional apps—this is normal. Focus on whether the main apps work after reboot.
3. Create a New User Profile
Sometimes the issue is tied to your user profile—especially if only your account is affected.
- Press
Win I> Accounts > Family & other users. - Under "Other users", click Add someone else to this PC.
- Follow the prompts to create a new local account (you don’t need a Microsoft email).
- Log out and sign in with the new account.
- Test if built-in apps open there.
? If they work, the problem is with your original profile. You can either:
- Migrate your files to the new account.
- Or fix the original profile by resetting app data.
4. Reset or Reinstall the Problematic App
If only one app (like Calculator) fails, you can reset it individually.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Search for the app (e.g., "Calculator").
- Click it > Advanced options.
- Click Repair, then try Reset if repair doesn’t work.
If that fails, you can remove and reinstall it via PowerShell:
# Remove the app
Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage
# Reinstall it
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*WindowsCalculator*"} | ForEach-Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"Replace *windowscalculator* with the package name for other apps (e.g., *windowsstore*).
5. Check for System File Corruption
Corrupted system files can break app functionality.
Run these commands in Command Prompt (Admin):
sfc /scannow
After it finishes, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC after both complete. Then retry the PowerShell re-registration step.
6. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Third-Party Security Software
Some third-party antivirus programs (especially older or aggressive ones) can block Windows Store apps from launching.
- Disable your antivirus temporarily.
- Try opening the app.
- If it works, adjust the AV settings or consider switching to a more compatible solution.
Final Notes
- Most of the time, re-registering apps with PowerShell (Step 2) fixes the issue.
- Always run commands as Administrator.
- If nothing works, consider a Windows 10 repair install (in-place upgrade) using the Media Creation Tool—this keeps your files and apps but refreshes the OS.
Basically, it's not a dead end—Windows 10 app issues like this are usually fixable with a few targeted steps.
The above is the detailed content of how to fix 'this app can't open' for built-in win 10 apps. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Hot AI Tools
Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free
Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos
AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.
Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover
Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!
Hot Article
Hot Tools
Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use
Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment
Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools
SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)
Windows Security is blank or not showing options
Jul 07, 2025 am 02:40 AM
When the Windows Security Center is blank or the function is missing, you can follow the following steps to check: 1. Confirm whether the system version supports full functions, some functions of the Home Edition are limited, and the Professional Edition and above are more complete; 2. Restart the SecurityHealthService service to ensure that its startup type is set to automatic; 3. Check and uninstall third-party security software that may conflict; 4. Run the sfc/scannow and DISM commands to repair system files; 5. Try to reset or reinstall the Windows Security Center application, and contact Microsoft support if necessary.
Windows stuck on 'undoing changes made to your computer'
Jul 05, 2025 am 02:51 AM
The computer is stuck in the "Undo Changes made to the computer" interface, which is a common problem after the Windows update fails. It is usually caused by the stuck rollback process and cannot enter the system normally. 1. First of all, you should wait patiently for a long enough time, especially after restarting, it may take more than 30 minutes to complete the rollback, and observe the hard disk light to determine whether it is still running. 2. If there is no progress for a long time, you can force shut down and enter the recovery environment (WinRE) multiple times, and try to start repair or system restore. 3. After entering safe mode, you can uninstall the most recent update records through the control panel. 4. Use the command prompt to execute the bootrec command in the recovery environment to repair the boot file, or run sfc/scannow to check the system file. 5. The last method is to use the "Reset this computer" function
Proven Ways for Microsoft Teams Error 657rx in Windows 11/10
Jul 07, 2025 pm 12:25 PM
Encountering something went wrong 657rx can be frustrating when you log in to Microsoft Teams or Outlook. In this article on MiniTool, we will explore how to fix the Outlook/Microsoft Teams error 657rx so you can get your workflow back on track.Quick
The RPC server is unavailable Windows
Jul 06, 2025 am 12:07 AM
When encountering the "RPCserverisunavailable" problem, first confirm whether it is a local service exception or a network configuration problem. 1. Check and start the RPC service to ensure that its startup type is automatic. If it cannot be started, check the event log; 2. Check the network connection and firewall settings, test the firewall to turn off the firewall, check DNS resolution and network connectivity; 3. Run the sfc/scannow and DISM commands to repair the system files; 4. Check the group policy and domain controller status in the domain environment, and contact the IT department to assist in the processing. Gradually check it in sequence to locate and solve the problem.
How to fix 'SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION' stop code in Windows
Jul 09, 2025 am 02:56 AM
When encountering the "SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION" blue screen error, you do not need to reinstall the system or replace the hardware immediately. You can follow the following steps to check: 1. Update or roll back hardware drivers such as graphics cards, especially recently updated drivers; 2. Uninstall third-party antivirus software or system tools, and use WindowsDefender or well-known brand products to replace them; 3. Run sfc/scannow and DISM commands as administrator to repair system files; 4. Check memory problems, restore the default frequency and re-plug and unplug the memory stick, and use Windows memory diagnostic tools to detect. In most cases, the driver and software problems can be solved first.
the default gateway is not available Windows
Jul 08, 2025 am 02:21 AM
When you encounter the "DefaultGatewayisNotAvailable" prompt, it means that the computer cannot connect to the router or does not obtain the network address correctly. 1. First, restart the router and computer, wait for the router to fully start before trying to connect; 2. Check whether the IP address is set to automatically obtain, enter the network attribute to ensure that "Automatically obtain IP address" and "Automatically obtain DNS server address" are selected; 3. Run ipconfig/release and ipconfig/renew through the command prompt to release and re-acquire the IP address, and execute the netsh command to reset the network components if necessary; 4. Check the wireless network card driver, update or reinstall the driver to ensure that it works normally.
Windows 11 KB5062660 24H2 out with features, direct download links for offline installer (.msu)
Jul 23, 2025 am 09:43 AM
Windows 11 KB5062660 is now rolling out as an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 with a few new features, including Recall AI in Europe. This patch is available via Windows Update, but Microsoft has also posted direct download l
How to repair Windows 11 using command prompt
Jul 05, 2025 am 02:59 AM
How to use command prompt to repair Windows 11? 1. Enter the command prompt through the recovery environment: enter the recovery environment through USB boot or three consecutive interrupts, and then select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt; 2. Use DISM to repair the system image: Run DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/CheckHealth to check for corruption, DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth scanning problem, DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth to repair the problem, and specify an external source if necessary; 3. Run SF
