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I can't get Microsoft's PC Manager to start when I login

Gary Hoffmann 10 Reputation points
2026-01-18T19:33:40.6733333+00:00

I have installed Microsoft's PC Manager on my Dell Inspiron desktop pc. I am unable to get it to start when I login to my account. I can go in settings and select the switch in general settings of the app. When I restart the computer, the app does not start and when I check back to the settings in the app, the switch to start the app automatically is turned off. I have checked the startup tab in the task manager and if I check the properties for PC Manager, I receive an error, " Windows can not find PC Manager/pcmautorun.exe. check to make sure that you have typed the name correctly and try again.

I am also not able to change the app from disabled to enable there. I have this app installed on 2 other computers and they don't have this issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

GPH

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-01-18T19:33:50.11+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like you're experiencing issues with Microsoft's PC Manager not starting automatically on your Dell Inspiron desktop. Here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot the problem:

    1. Reinstall the App: Sometimes, reinstalling the application can resolve issues related to startup. Uninstall PC Manager and then download and install the latest version from the official Microsoft website.
    2. Check Permissions: Ensure that the application has the necessary permissions to run at startup. You may need to check the registry and file permissions to ensure they are set correctly, as improper permissions can prevent apps from starting.
    3. Group Policy Settings: If your computer is part of a domain, group policy settings might be affecting the startup behavior of applications. You can check the group policy settings to ensure that there are no restrictions on startup applications.
    4. Task Manager Startup Tab: Since you've mentioned that you can't enable the app in the Task Manager, ensure that you are logged in as an administrator. Sometimes, administrative privileges are required to make changes to startup applications.
    5. Event Viewer: Check the Event Viewer for any error messages related to PC Manager. This may provide more insight into why the application is failing to start.
    6. System File Checker: Run the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files that might be affecting the application. You can do this by running sfc /scannow in an elevated command prompt.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to reach out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

    References:

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