How to fix cross device service bad image?

The “bad image” pop‑ups when opening built‑in apps (Notes, Snipping Tool, Photos, etc.) indicate damaged or mismatched system or app binaries. Use the following repair steps in order:

1. Run System File Checker (SFC)
   1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator).
   2. Run:

            sfc /scannow
      

   3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on‑screen guidance. This repairs corrupted Windows system files.
2. Check and repair disk errors
   1. In File Explorer, right‑click the system drive (usually C:), select Properties.
   2. Go to Tools > Error checking > Check and let Windows scan and fix file system errors.
   3. Optionally, from an elevated Command Prompt, run:

            chkdsk C: /f /r
      

      and restart when prompted so the scan can run before Windows loads.
3. Ensure Windows is fully updated
   1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates and install all available updates.
   3. Restart and test the apps again.
4. Repair or reinstall affected apps For built‑in apps like Photos, Snipping Tool, and Notes that use the MSIX app package format, corruption after system changes can cause launch errors. Try, in this order:
   1. Close the app and start it again.
   2. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the affected app, and use Advanced options > Repair (and Reset if available).
   3. If still failing, uninstall the app and reinstall it from Microsoft Store.
5. If the issue started after System Restore After a System Restore, MSIX‑packaged apps can show launch errors such as “This app can’t open” or fail on first start. If the bad image issue coincides with a recent restore point:
   1. Try starting each affected app more than once.
   2. If problems persist, reinstall the apps from Microsoft Store.
   3. Run Windows Update again to ensure all components are in a consistent state.

If, after these steps, bad image errors still appear for many apps, an in‑place repair install of Windows 11 (keeping files and apps) or a Reset this PC (with “Keep my files”) is recommended to fully refresh system binaries.

References:

• Bug check 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
• KB5023152: “This app can’t open” error message after running system restore and then starting a Windows app in Windows 10 and later versions