Open with - Microsoft WinRT Storage API

Question

Hi,

Since my PC updated to Win 11 22H2 Pro, right-clicking on a JPG, one of the options is "Microsoft WinRT Storage API", clicking on this just brings up the error message "Element not found". I can find no way of removing this "open-with" item.

Just to clarify, I have seen posts referring to this where it has taken over as the Default app, this isn't the case here, all the files open in the correct default programs as they should. The problem is removing Microsoft WinRT Storage API altogether from the open-with menu.

Finally, I had the same issue with a laptop - rolling back and new Windows install [21H2 Home] corrected the problem - suggesting it isn't system specific.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Mike,

I'm wondering if this has something to do with Paint3D. The shell seems to be enumerating the program's registry location, and Paint3D's Package ID is wrongly assigned; it's pointing to the regular Paint app.

Please try these two commands from Admin PowerShell window:

• get-appxpackage *paint* -allusers | remove-appxpackage
• get-appxpackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos -allusers | remove-appxpackage

Install Paint 3D from Microsoft Store.

(Don't install the Photos app yet.)

See if the erroneous Open With entry is gone. Let's know how it goes.

Answer 2

Hi Mike-V8

1

Please do not delete G, that is the genuine link for the Photos App, did you restart your PC after making that change?

2

If you have already restarted you PC and that entry is still there:

Open the Registry Editor again

In the left pane, scroll to the very top and select Computer

Click Edit - Find

Search for this: Microsoft WinRT Storage API

Please provide a screenshot of any entry found.

.

Answer 3

Hi Dave,

Yes, I did restart the PC and no there are no instances of Microsoft WinRT Storage API in the registry

Mike

Answer 4

Hi Mike,

Try this:

Right-click on a JPG file and choose Properties.

Click "Change"

Select "Microsoft WinRT Storage API" from the list.

(JPG files are now associated with that unknown app. You can revert the association to the Photos app later.)

Next, open an Admin CMD Prompt window and type this:

• Dism /Online /Get-DefaultAppAssociations | findstr /i .jpg

Please post back what it reports.

Answer 5

Hi Ramesh,

As requested - you are more patient than me!

C:\Windows\System32> Dism /Online /Get-DefaultAppAssociations | findstr /i .jpg

<Association Identifier=".jpg" ProgId="AppX43hnxtbyyps62jhe9sqpdzxn1790zetc" ApplicationName="Photos" OverwriteOnVersionMax="1" OverwriteIfProgIdIs="AppX9vdwcvrwnbettpahnt26jswq0n8hgyah;Paint.Paint;Microsoft.PhotoManager.imagetype;jpegfile" />

---

C:\Windows\System32>

regards