So you’ve been trying to open the Microsoft Store and other related apps, but have been painfully stuck with the “This app can’t open” error for a while now. The causes for this error can be manifold: a wrong user account, a corrupt app, and so on.
While we can’t pinpoint the exact cause for this error, we do have a slew of fixes we can try to resolve this debilitating error for good. So let’s go through all solutions and fix this error for good.
1. Update the app
A quick update is a fix for many PC woes. In case of “This app can’t open” error on your Windows, an update might be all that’s needed to get everything in your PC back to normal again.
- To update your Microsoft Store, click on the ellipsis (three dots) from the upper-right corner of your Store app.
- From there, select Downloads and updates.
- Click on Get updates.
Microsoft Store will then scan for available updates. If it finds any, they will be instantly installed.
2. Windows Troubleshooter
Windows Troubleshooter is a free Windows app that can help you find and fix regular Windows bugs. You can give the Troubleshooter a go and try to resolve your Microsoft Store error for good—follow the steps below to get started:
- Press the Windows key + I shortcut, and the Settings menu will be launched.
- Now select Update & Security > Troubleshooter.
- From there, select Additional troubleshooter.
From the next screen, select the Windows Store Apps and click on Run the Troubleshooter. The Troubleshooter will be launched, and it will try to fix your Windows problems for good.
3. Change Account
Another quick fix for many people is creating and switching to a new user account. Here’s how you can do that:
- Head to the Settings app, and select Accounts > Email & accounts.
- Now click on Add an account.
After you’ve added your new account, it’s time to switch to it. Generally, the difficulties get resolved after this issue is taken care of. Try it and see if it works for you.
4. Do a System Restore
A System Restore takes your PC back to a point where everything worked fine. Note that this only works if you have created and stored a restore point beforehand.
You can check that and complete a system restore in a single go. Here’s how.
- Head to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘system restore,’ and select Create a restore point.
- From the System Protection tab, select the System Restore… button.
- On the new dialog box, click on Next.
- Pick a new restore point and click on Next.
- Finally, click on Finish.
When you click on Finish, your Windows will get restored to a state it was in before you created the restore point.
5. Clear the Microsoft Store cache
A cache, in computer terminology, is where all your temporary data gets stored. It’s a very handy technology, but it can sometimes cause problems. That’s why clearing it away is often recommended for a lot of IT bugs as well.
The Microsoft Store also stores a cache, and clearing it away has been known to fix its issues. Here’s how you can do that on your PC:
- Head to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘wsrest.exe’, and select the best match.
- A command prompt will be launched. Wait for it to close on its own.
- After clearing the cache, the cmd will close on its own, and your Microsoft Store will be launched.
This should have resolved the “This app can’t open” error for now.
Fixing the “This app can’t open” error on Windows PC
That’s it. If you’ve followed the above steps, one of them should’ve fixed your Store error by now. Bugs on your Windows PC can be debilitating; if you’ve tried your hand at all quick fixes but still don’t have anything working to show for it, then it’s perhaps time for a complete reset.
