how to fix software apps

Follow these steps in order on Windows 11 to fix desktop apps and taskbar app/menu issues.

1. Repair or reset problem apps
   1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
   2. Find the app that will not open from the desktop or taskbar.
   3. Select the More (three dots) icon next to it, then select Advanced options (if available).
   4. Select Repair. Test the app.
   5. If it still does not work, go back to the same place and select Reset.
2. Repair classic desktop programs
   1. In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel and open Control Panel.
   2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
   3. Right‑click the affected program and select Repair. If Repair is not available, select Change and follow the on‑screen steps.
3. Fix blank or broken icons on desktop, Start, and taskbar If icons are blank or wrong but double‑clicking still opens the app:
   1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   2. On the Processes tab, right‑click Windows Explorer and select End task.
   3. In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
   4. Type cmd.exe, check Create this task with administrative privileges, and select OK.
   5. In the Command Prompt window, run these commands (press Enter after each):

            CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
            DEL IconCache.db /a
      

   6. Back in Task Manager, select File > Run new task, type explorer.exe, and press Enter to restart Windows Explorer.
   7. Check whether desktop and taskbar icons/menus now appear correctly.
4. Re‑register the Shell Experience (if taskbar/Start still misbehave)
   1. Open Windows PowerShell as administrator.
   2. Run:

            Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*ShellExperienceHost*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
      

   3. Restart the PC and test the desktop and taskbar again.
5. If the problem is only with Microsoft Store apps
   1. Make sure Windows is up to date (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates).
   2. Open Microsoft Store, select See more (three dots) > Downloads and updates > Get updates.
   3. If a specific Store app still fails, repair/reset it as in step 1.

If none of these steps help, remove and reinstall the affected apps/programs after backing up any important data they contain.

References:

• Repair apps and programs in Windows
• Application shortcuts on the desktop, Start menu, and taskbar show blank icons
• Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store