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 Dave,

There are many “similar” Data strings – too many to list – that contain elements such as:

Microsoft.Windows.Photos and/or 8wekyb3d8bbwe

As far as an exact match [Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe] there are 11 x instances. I have attached a screen shot of just one – apart from the different classes, the information under Application-Data is the same.

Let me know how you want me to proceed from here?

Answer 3

Hi Mike,

There will be many entries in the registry, but you are not looking for a single entry in the registry, you are looking for an exact duplicate of the the exact same list of apps together with the 2 entries for the Photos app, as is in the list below

.

Answer 4

Hi Dave,

Other than the already found instance in your reply - there is one other instance only that duplicates the list (I checked twice!):

Answer 5

Hi Mike,

Well done, you can safely delete the B entry in that list you have found, then restart your PC.