If Windows 10 shows the "This App Can’t Run on Your PC" error, there are a few possible reasons behind it. Sometimes the app isn't compatible with your system, you're signed in to the wrong user account, or a setting is broken.
Fortunately, there are several fixes you can try. Here is how to fix the "This App Can’t Run on Your PC" error on Windows 10, courtesy of Quantrimang.com.
1. Check the app version
If you downloaded and installed an app without checking its properties, it may not be compatible with your system. For example, an app built for the 32-bit version of Windows 10 won't necessarily run smoothly on a 64-bit system.
Before downloading an app, check your system properties. Press Win + I to open Settings and select System. Then, in the left-hand menu, click About.
The Device specifications section gives you information about your system, including which version of Windows is installed on your computer.
2. Run the app in Compatibility Mode on Windows 10
You may run into the "This app can’t run on your PC" error when you try to run an older app. To fix it, turn on Compatibility Mode from the app's properties.
Right-click the app's executable file and select Properties. Open the Compatibility tab, check Run this program in compatibility mode for and pick a different version of Windows from the drop-down menu. Click Apply > OK to save the new settings, then try running the app.
3. Run the app as an administrator
If the app doesn't have the permissions it needs to run on your device, Windows may display the “This app can’t run on your PC” error. To fix it, launch the app with admin rights.
To do so, right-click the app's executable file and select Run as administrator. If the app now launches without any problems, you can look into how to always run a Windows app with admin rights.
4. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter on Windows 10
If you can't find the right version yourself, you can ask Windows to pick one for you. Follow these steps to run the Windows Program Compatibility Troubleshooter:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & security > Troubleshoot.
- Click Additional troubleshooters.
- From the Find and fix other problems list, choose Program Compatibility TroubleshooterRun the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Run a copy of the executable file
This is a slightly odd trick, but it can help fix the error. Copy the app's executable file and paste it in a new location. Then run the copied file the way you normally would.
6. Scan for viruses
Viruses can keep an app from running normally, even if the app is compatible with your system. You can use Windows' built-in tools to check your computer for any kind of virus. Here is how:
Step 1: Right-click Start and go to Settings > Update & Security.
Step 2: From the left-hand menu, open Windows Security and click Virus & threat protection.
Step 3: Click the Quick scan button and wait until Windows 10 finishes the process.
7. Run an SFC scan
If Quick scan doesn't fix the problem, Windows 10 has another tool you can use. System File Checker looks for any corrupted or faulty system files and replaces them automatically.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc /scannow. To start the process, just press Enter. When the SFC scan finishes, it will show a message telling you whether it found and replaced any corrupted files on your system.
8. Use the Disk Cleanup tool
Computers pile up junk files over time, especially if you browse the Internet a lot. If these files take up a lot of space on your hard drive, they can cause app launch errors. The easiest way to delete these unneeded files is with Disk Cleanup.
Step 1: In the Start menu search bar, search for disk cleanup and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Select the files you want to delete. Disk Cleanup will tell you how much space you'll get back.
Step 3: Click OK to start the process.
9. Check your antivirus settings
Sometimes your antivirus software can be a little overprotective and stop you from running a certain app. In that case, the fix is fairly simple. Add the problem app to the exceptions list in your antivirus software. Alternatively, you can try temporarily turning off your antivirus.
10. Enable Developer Mode
If you still have trouble launching a specific app, there is another workaround to try. Windows Developer Mode lets you run apps even when they don't come from a trusted source.
To turn on Developer Mode, right-click the Start button and select Settings. There, go to Update & Security > For developers. Then switch on the toggle under Developer Mode.
We recommend using Developer Mode only if you downloaded the app from a trusted source. Otherwise, you could put your computer at risk.
11. Reinstall the problem app
If you still get the "This app can’t run on your PC" error after trying everything on this list, reinstall the app. After you uninstall it, go to the official website and download the latest version.
Remember to clear your browser cache before downloading any files again, though. The browser cache makes browsing faster and reduces server latency by storing website data. However, the browser cache can also corrupt downloads on your computer.
This error isn't limited to third-party apps, since you can also run into it when launching apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store itself. To keep it from happening again, download apps from official websites, and keep checking your apps and system for new updates.
