Almost all applications have suddenly started saying "This app can't run on your PC".

[Silly-Billy]

Applications were working fine all along, I shut down my laptop one day, the next day I switch it on and no application is working except for a few. When I try to open them I get the same response : "This app can't run on your PC."

What do I have to do? Please hurry, if I have to use "Wordpad" to write my assignment again I'll definitely breakdown. 

[Max3Aj]

@Silly-Billy, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

It sounds like a serious issue, possibly related to system corruption, a Windows update gone wrong, or permission changes. Try these steps immediately:

Check for Corrupted System Files

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Click File > Run new task.
3. Type cmd, check Create this task with administrative privileges, and click OK.
4. Run the following commands one by one:
5. sfc /scannow

Then:

1. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Let these complete and restart your PC.

Check for Windows Updates

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Check for updates and install any pending ones.
4. Restart your PC.

Check User Account Control (UAC) & Permissions

1. Try running the apps as Administrator (Right-click > Run as administrator).
2. Create a new admin user account:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin) via Task Manager.
• Type:

net user NewUser /add

net localgroup administrators NewUser /add

• Log into this new account and check if apps open.

Check Windows Security or Third-Party Antivirus

If you have Windows Defender SmartScreen, disable it temporarily:

• Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App & browser control.
• Set Check apps and files to Off.

If you have third-party antivirus (McAfee, Norton, etc.), disable or uninstall it and check if apps work.

Check for Corrupt Windows Registry

1. Open Registry Editor:

Win + R → Type regedit → Press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

3. If there are any suspicious entries, delete them.

Final Step: Reset Windows

If none of these work, back up your data and reset Windows:

1. Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Click Reset this PC > Keep my files.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support