I cannot open Windows Security app

Question

I am unable to open the Windows Security App.

It says "Check the Store for more info about Windows Security".

Is there a way to fix this since the store has been phased out? A lot of things have been breaking on my system since the Windows Store has been being phased out! To name a few; Notepad, Paint, Character Map UWP, Feedback Hub, Game Bar, Microsoft 365, Media Player, Realtek Audio Console and a few others.

I thought you (Microsoft) were very passionate about backward compatibility?

Answer 1

Hello

Let’s address this step by step:

1.Windows Security Not Opening:

If Windows Security is not opening, there are several potential solutions you can try:

PowerShell Method:

Press Windows + S and type “PowerShell”.

Right-click on PowerShell and select “Run as Administrator”.

Confirm by clicking “Yes”.

Enter the following commands one by one:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml”}_

Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted

Try opening Windows Security again.

2.Reset Windows Security:

Open Settings (press Win + I).

Navigate to Apps > Apps & features.

Search for Windows Security in the app list.

Click on the three-dot menu and select Advanced options.

Locate the Reset section and click Reset.

Now check if Windows Security works as expected.

3.Restart Security Center Service:

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Type services.msc and press Enter.

In the Services window, find Security Center.

Right-click on it and select Restart.

Restart your PC and check the Windows Security app.

Phasing Out of Windows Store:

While the Windows Store has been phased out, Microsoft is committed to backward compatibility. However, some legacy apps may face compatibility issues due to architectural changes in Windows 11.

For older apps like Notepad, Paint, and others, consider using alternative methods:

Notepad: You can still access Notepad by searching for it in the Start menu or using the Run dialog (press Win + R and type notepad).

Paint: You can use the classic Paint application or explore third-party alternatives.

Character Map UWP: Consider using the built-in Character Map (search for “Character Map” in the Start menu).

Feedback Hub: You can provide feedback directly through the Windows Feedback Hub website.

Game Bar: Check if it’s enabled in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.

Microsoft 365: Ensure you have an active subscription and try reinstalling it.

Media Player: Use Windows Media Player or explore other media players.

Realtek Audio Console: Check for driver updates from Realtek’s official website.

Answer 2

Hello,

See if this fix helps you:

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-defender-wont-open-in-windows-11

Regarding apps, I suggest to re-register the apps having issue:

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-re-register-a-specific-app-in-windows-11

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included links in this reply refers to blog posts by a trusted Microsoft MVP.