How to Repair Broken Desktop Applications in Windows 10/11

If you’re experiencing issues with a desktop application on your Windows 10 or 11 computer, such as crashes, freezes, or unexpected behavior, you may need to repair the application. Repairing an application can often resolve problems caused by corrupted or missing files, without losing your settings or data. Here’s how to repair a broken desktop application using the Settings app:

Using the Settings App to Repair a Desktop Application

To repair a desktop application using the Settings app, follow these steps:

Open the Start menu and search for “Settings”. Click on the Settings app to open it.
In the Settings app, click on “Apps”.
Click on “Apps & features” in the left-hand menu.
Scroll through the list of installed applications and find the one you want to repair. If you have a lot of applications installed, you can use the search bar to find the specific application more quickly.
Once you’ve located the application, click on the three-dot menu icon to the right of the application name.
Select “Advanced options” from the menu that appears.
On the Advanced options page for the application, scroll down until you see the “Reset” section.
Click the “Repair” button to begin the repair process. This will attempt to fix any issues with the application without deleting your settings or data.

If the repair process doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try resetting the application instead. To do this, click the “Reset” button in the “Reset” section of the Advanced options page. This will delete the application’s data on your device, including your preferences and sign-in details. After resetting the application, you may need to reinstall it and reconfigure your settings.

Using the Control Panel to Repair a Desktop Application

If you prefer to use the classic Control Panel to repair a desktop application, you can do so by following these steps:

Open the Start menu and search for “Control Panel”. Click on the Control Panel app to open it.
In the Control Panel, click on “Programs”.
Click on “Programs and Features” in the Programs menu.
In the Programs and Features window, find the application you want to repair in the list of installed programs.
Right-click on the application and select “Repair” from the context menu. If the “Repair” option is not available, select “Change” instead.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

If you’re still having issues with the application after trying both the Settings app and Control Panel repair methods, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the application. To uninstall an application, you can use the Programs and Features window in the Control Panel, or you can use the application’s own uninstaller if it has one. Once the application is uninstalled, download the latest version from the developer’s website and install it following their instructions.

In some cases, desktop application issues may be caused by compatibility problems with your operating system or hardware. If you suspect this is the case, you can try running the application in compatibility mode. To do this, right-click on the application’s shortcut or executable file and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, click on the “Compatibility” tab and check the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” box. Select the appropriate Windows version from the dropdown menu and click “OK”. This may help the application run more smoothly on your system.

If you’re still having trouble getting a desktop application to work properly, you can try using a troubleshooter to diagnose and fix the issue. In Windows 10 and 11, you can access troubleshooters by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select the type of troubleshooting you want to do and click “Run the troubleshooter”. The troubleshooter will guide you through the process of identifying and resolving the problem.

In conclusion, repairing a broken desktop application in Windows 10 or 11 is a straightforward process that can often resolve issues without losing your settings or data. By using the Settings app, Control Panel, or compatibility mode, you can troubleshoot and fix most application problems. If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the application is usually the next best step. With these tools and techniques at your disposal, you can keep your desktop applications running smoothly and avoid the frustration of crashes and other issues.