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Fix: Windows 10 Apps not Opening [Full Guide]

You can try changing the ownership of the C: drive

11 min. read

Updated onSeptember 11, 2024

updated onSeptember 11, 2024

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Apps are an essential part of any OS, Windows 10 included. While they are fundamental to the overall experience, some users have reported that Windows 10 apps won’t open on their computers.

We were intrigued by the prospect of Windows 10 programs not opening and started digging around to see what could cause this abnormal behavior.

The program won’t open when I click on it in Windows 10is merely the tip of the iceberg.

It turns out there are numerous circumstances that can facilitate the appearance of this glitch, so let’s get straight to it.

Why are my Windows apps not opening?

So, what is usually the easiest way to fix an application which won’t start anymore? Don’t worry; we made sure to include all the steps and make things as easy as possible.

How do I fix apps not opening in Windows 10?

1. Make sure that Windows Update service is running

Sometimes, these types of problems can be fixed by performing a Windows Update, so make sure that you have the latest updates installed.

2. Run the troubleshooter

If Windows 10 apps won’t open, you might want to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. However, this procedure is now guaranteed to work, and you will also lose some precious time.

3. Make sure that yourappsare up to date

3.1 Update the apps in Microsoft Store

If the Store app isn’t working, you can try the same steps from a different user account on your computer, or you can use theCommand Promptto force updates.

3.2 Force app updates using Command Prompt

The command will trigger performing automatic updates for Windows apps so give it a try right now.

If a specific app is not opening in Windows 10, you may need to reinstall it. To do that, follow the steps below.

4. Perform Store cache reset

If you can’t open the Store app, and there’s no way to update your apps, you might want to perform a cache reset by following the steps above.

In most cases, that should suffice. However, the issue can be bigger than that and you might need to perform some additional steps in case theMicrosoft Store still does not work properly.

5. Make sure that Application Identity service is running

6. Change ownership of your C: drive

6.1. Change C: ownership

Sometimes Windows 10 apps won’t open due to ownership problems, but you can easily fix that. To change the ownership of a folder, or a hard drive partition, perform the steps from above.

6.2. Add Full Control permissions for ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES group

7. Change FilterAdministratorToken in Registry Editor

8. Use PowerShell

If the Store application cannot launch, you won’t be able to update any apps that won’t open, so it’s advised that you use PowerShell in order to fix this problem.

You can also try this command.

If interested, check out this guide to know more aboutremoving system apps from your Windows computer using PowerShell.

9. Move the Database folder from one profile to another

To complete this solution, we’ll need to create two new profiles and move the Database folder from one profile to your main profile.

Although this process might look a bit complex, follow the steps above carefully, and you should be able to complete it.

10. Create a new local account

If Windows 10 apps won’t open, you might have to create a new account and transfer all your personal files to it. This solution can prove just as effective whenWindows 10 default apps go missing.

Problems with Windows 10 apps that won’t open aren’t that common, but some programs are more likely to be affected than others:

One more thing before we wrap it up – Microsft’s freshest OS is not exempt from this erratic (yet occasional) behavior. In case you’re already struggling, we prepared some equally comprehensive steps to help you out whenWindows 11 apps won’t open.

That’s all from us. How would you force an app to open in Windows 10? If you know of any other solutions, feel free to drop us a line in the comments.

Fix: Windows 10 Apps not Opening [Full Guide]#

Why are my Windows apps not opening?#

How do I fix apps not opening in Windows 10?#

1. Make sure that Windows Update service is running#

2. Run the troubleshooter#

3. Make sure that yourappsare up to date#

4. Perform Store cache reset#

5. Make sure that Application Identity service is running#

6. Change ownership of your C: drive#

7. Change FilterAdministratorToken in Registry Editor#

8. Use PowerShell#

9. Move the Database folder from one profile to another#

10. Create a new local account#