How To Fix Hanging Or Crashing Apps

Windows 10 apps keep crashing? Check these solutions

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he's not tackling... Read more

Updated: Mar 15, 2021

Posted: April 2020

Windows 10 apps are crashing due to an update that was installed incorrectly or from software bugs and issues.
To fix this annoying problem, make sure to check both your antivirus and firewall settings.
You can also try to reset the apps you're having issues with, before trying other solutions.
If all your apps keep crashing in Windows 10, you could try to delete the Windows Store cache.

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XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

It seems that there is a higher possibility for Windows to drop behind its OS peers than for Microsoft to deliver an update without issues.

Namely, even though the latest major update for Windows 10 brought a lot of versatility and features to the system, it also brought a bag of issues and bugs.

Besides some standard issues we already covered, one problem that emerged after the update struck more than a few Windows 10 users.

The problem is related to Windows 10 apps. Few of those users reported the app issue on the Microsoft community site and this is what they said, and we quote:

'I want to know if anyone is having issues with any apps crashing with the new creators update. I am currently having problems with adobe lightroom and can make it crash everytime. Currently that is the only I have had issues with and I have not heard any news of updates to fix this.

Same here
Just got the Creators Update few days ago
Not only Lightroom CC crashes, so does Premiere Pro CC'

As you can see, this seems to be quite an issue, and we received the update only a week ago. We are certain that Microsoft will address this system defect in upcoming patches.

Until then, if your apps keep crashing in Windows 10 you can use one of the workarounds we prepared today. You can find them below.

How do I fix app crashes in Windows 10?

1. Disable your antivirus

Well, it seems that the Windows Update feature and the third-party antivirus solutions have animosity between them. That's a well-known problem for a lot of Microsoft enthusiasts.

After the major update is installed, your system will timely update the pre-installed apps. And that's where some users can get into trouble.

Your antivirus can occasionally block some of the update features and that will result in app instability and frequent crashes. So, make sure to disable your antivirus for the time being.

After a day or two, once all of your apps and the Microsoft Store are properly updated, you can enable it again.

Have in mind that, whilst the 3rd-party antimalware programs are on pause, you should use Windows Defender for security precaution. Don't let your guard down.

2. Disable the Firewall

In the Windows Search bar, type Windows Firewall and open.
From the left pane, click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
Disable Windows Firewall. Make sure to do so for both private and public networks.
Confirm selection.
Now, restart your PC and enable the Firewall again.

Another feature that can negatively impact apps and lead to a suspended update and furthermore to crashes is Windows Firewall.

After an update, Windows Firewall can block the Microsoft Store and that may result in app crashes.

You should disable it temporarily but don't forget to enable it once the issue with apps is resolved. If the problem is persistent, continue to workarounds below.

You can also use dedicated firewalls for your system. Take a look at our quick guide and choose the best for your PC.

3. Check the time & date

Right-click the time/date on the Taskbar and open Adjust date/time.
Make sure your time zone is on point.
Under the Internet time tab, click on Change settings.
Uncheck Synchronize with an Internet time server box and click OK.
Now, under the Date and Time tab, set any time and date.
- Imagine you're a time traveler and randomly select the wrong time and date.
Click OK.
Return to the Internet time tab and click on Change settings.
Check Synchronize with an Internet time server box and click on Update now.

Even though this step sounds simple, an inaccurate time or date can cause a lot of issues with Windows Store. Moreover, it's not an uncommon thing for updates to change the time and date settings.

So, make sure to check your Time & Date settings and enable your system to set time automatically.

Windows Mail App keeps crashing on your computer? No worries, check our guide and solve the problem with ease.

4. Reset the apps

Open Settings under the Start menu.
Go to Apps.
Click on Apps & features.
Click on the troubled app and, under Advanced options, click Reset.
Restart your PC and try running the app again.

Updates not only change the apps but they may change the way the system runs them. And that may be the reason for the app crashes and malfunction.

Luckily, you can use our dedicated guide to reset those apps individually to default settings in a few easy steps.

5. Reset the Microsoft Store process

Go to the Windows search bar and type cmd.
Open Command Prompt as administrator.
In the command line, type WSReset.exe and press Enter.
After the procedure is finished, close the Command Prompt and restart the PC.

While we are at resetting things, you can also reset the Microsoft Store process within the Command Prompt. That should resolve any stalls inflicted on your system.

Can't open Command Prompt as administrator? Use our complete guide and fix the error quickly.

6. Clear Microsoft Store cache

Open File Explorer and navigate to your Windows partition.
Click on theView tab and enableHidden items .
Navigate to: Users:your username:AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalCache
Press Ctrl + A to select all files inside the Local Cache folder, right-click and choose Delete.
Restart your PC and check for changes.

Another procedure that may help you resolve your problem is related to a specific hidden folder that stores Windows Store cache. The cache from the crashing app is stored there so deleting it might help.

7. Re-register ownership on Microsoft Store and Apps

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:Program Files.
Click on theView tab and enable Hidden items.
Right-click on WindowsAppsfolder and openProperties.
Under the Security tab, click on Advanced.
Under Owner – Trusted Installer, click on Change.
In the Enter the object name to select (examples), type your Username and confirm the selection.
Now, right-click WindowsApps folder again and open Properties.
Open Security and click Add and under thePermission entry for data window, click on Select a principal.
Type your account Username, set permissions to Full control, and confirm with OK.
Now, in the Windows Search type PowerShell and open it as administrator.
Under PowerShell command line, copy-paste the following command and press Enter afterward: Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
After the process is done, restart your PC and check for changes.

In the end, the solution with the highest success rate must be this. It's the most complicated one, so make sure that you follow the above instructions closely.

Windows PowerShell has stopped working? Fix the problem with our quick guide.

With that, we should wrap it up. We're sure that Microsoft will resolve this issue in some of the upcoming patches, but this solution should let you use your apps in a seamless manner at least temporarily.

Additionally, if you have alternative solutions or questions, make sure to tell us in the comments section. We'll be glad to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my apps keep crashing on Windows 10?

Windows 10 app crashes are usually caused by recent OS updates that installed incorrectly. When that happens, you can use the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
How do I fix Microsoft Store?
How do I fix crashing apps on Windows 10?

You can try resetting the apps that give you trouble. If this does not work, you can check our guide on how to fix app crashes.