Apps Installed from the Microsoft Store Won't Open or Crash on Launch (Windows 11)
An app you installed from the Microsoft Store won’t launch, or it opens for a second and crashes.
Why: the app’s data, registration, or version has gone out of sync — often after an update or a system change. Microsoft’s order is to update first, then refresh the app, then reinstall as a last resort.
Fix 1: Close it fully and make sure Windows is up to date
- Close the app completely with the X in the top-right corner, then reopen it.
- If it still fails, go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates, install everything, and restart. Many app crashes are fixed by a pending Windows update.
Fix 2: Update the Microsoft Store and the app
An out-of-date app or Store is a common cause.
- Open the Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates.
- Let any updates install (including the Store itself), then try the app again.
Fix 3: Repair, then reset, the app
This refreshes the app without uninstalling it.
- Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Find the app, select the More (⋯) icon → Advanced options.
- Select Repair first — it tries to fix the app while keeping your data.
- If Repair isn’t available or doesn’t help, select Reset — this clears the app’s data and is the heavier option.
Fix 4: Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
- Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Windows Store Apps → Run.
Fix 5: Reinstall the app
If it still won’t open, remove and reinstall it:
- Settings → Apps → Installed apps → the app → More (⋯) → Uninstall.
- Open the Microsoft Store → Library (or search) → install it again.
FAQ
Repair vs. Reset — what’s the difference? Repair tries to fix the app while keeping your settings and data; Reset wipes the app’s data and starts it fresh. Always try Repair first.
It only broke after a System Restore — is that related? It can be. A restore can leave a Store app’s files and registration mismatched; repairing, resetting, or reinstalling the app realigns them.
Sources: Microsoft Support — Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store · Microsoft Support — Repair apps and programs in Windows