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Do you keep getting the error “This app can’t run on your PC” when you try to open apps and programmes on your Windows 11 computer? If you’re lucky, restarting your computer might be all you need to do to fix the problem. But if that doesn’t work, you’ll have to look into the error message and do what you need to do to fix it.
Some of the things that could cause Windows to show this error are problems with compatibility, corrupt system files, and a bad app installation. To help you fix the “This app can’t run on your PC” error on Windows 11, here are a few troubleshooting tips.
Fix: ‘This App Can’t Run on your PC’ Issue In Window 11/10

Check the App’s Version
If you downloaded and installed the app without checking its properties, it might not work with your system. For instance, you can’t use an app that works with the 32-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit system.
You should look at your system properties before you download the app. Press Win+I to open Settings, then choose System from there. Then, click About in the menu on the left. In the section called “Device specifications,” you can find out about your system, such as which version of Windows is on your computer.
Create a New Administrator Account
- Open Settings to choose the Account option.
- Move to the Family & other people tab and select Add someone else to this PC.
- Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Now hit Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Input the user name and password for the new administrator account.
- This new account will appear in the Other users section. Just click on it and choose Change account type.
- Choose Administrator from the type menu on the pop-out screen and click OK finally.
Scan for Viruses
Even if the app is compatible with your system, a virus could stop it from running as usual. You can use the tools that come with Windows to look for viruses on your computer. Here’s how it can be done:
- Right-click Start and go to Settings > Update & Security.
- From the left menu, open Windows Security and click Virus & threat protection.
- Click the Quick scan button and wait until Windows 10 finishes the process.
Use the Disk Cleanup Tool
- In the Start menu search bar, search for disk cleanup and select Run as administrator.
- Select which files you want to clean. Disk Cleanup will show you how much space you will gain.
- Click OK to start the process.
Reinstall the Problematic App
If you’ve tried everything on our list and are still getting the “This app can’t run on your PC” error, you should reinstall the app. After you’ve taken it off your computer, go to the official website and download the most recent version.
But before you redownload any files, make sure to clear your browser’s cache. By downloading website data, a browser’s cache makes browsing faster and cuts down on server lag. But your downloads may be broken if your browser’s cache isn’t cleared out.
Run the App as an Admin
- Use File Explorer to find the app with the issues.
- Right-click the app and select Run as administrator.
- In the User Account Control window that appears, select Yes.
- The app should open.
Check Whether the PC Is 32-bit or 64-bit
- Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys at the same time.
- Select System on the Settings screen.
- Scroll down the left sidebar and select About.
- On the right-pane, under Device specifications, see what the System type field says
Enable Developer Mode
Windows 10 includes a developer mode that lets you enable certain features on your PC. One of these is the ability to sideload apps on your computer. Sideloading means installing universal Windows apps from outside the Microsoft Store.
- Press the Windows + I keys at the same time to open the Settings app.
- In Settings, select Update & Security at the bottom.
- Select For developers in the left sidebar.
- On the right pane, turn on the Developer Mode toggle.
Update Windows Store
- Go to the Start menu to find and open the Microsoft Store window.
- Click on the 3-dot menu in the upper right corner and choose the Downloads and updates option.
- Click the Get updates button.
you can visit Microsoft support center for further help.
common reasons why This App Can’t Run on your PC
- Access is denied You will see this error if your user account is not set up properly. Creating a new administrator account should fix it.
- Game errors – You can’t launch some of your favorite games.
- Windows Store error – the system is denying you access to some of the Windows Store applications.
- Batch file – Run your batch files in administrator mode. If the error persists, follow the steps in our guide.
- Software publisher error – “Contact the software publisher” error message is common amongst Windows users which prevents them from using specific software products.
- Antivirus software – You can also stumble upon this error with Antivirus products.
FAQ
How do I force an app to run on my computer
Press the Windows logo key plus the R key to open the Run command box. Type shell:startup in the Run command field and press the Enter key to open the Startup folder. If you copy the app’s desktop shortcut and paste it into this Startup folder, the app will be added to startup.
How do I allow an app to run
- Open the Setting app on your phone.
- Click Apps.
- Tap the app that needs to be changed. If you can’t find it, click See all apps.
- Click on Permissions. Here you can see what permissions you gave or took away from the app.
- To change a permission setting, tap it and then choose Allow or Don’t allow.
Why does it say my PC can’t run Windows 11 when it can
This could mean that your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements to download or install the Windows 11 upgrade. Find out more about what Windows 11 needs to run. This could mean that a driver or other piece of software on your PC isn’t compatible with the Windows 11 upgrade.
How do I allow an app to run on Windows 10
Right-click on an app in the Windows Start Menu. Then, tap More, and then tap App settings. Change the switches under App permissions to turn on or off each permission. You can also go to Settings > Apps & Features to see what permissions an app has.