Many Windows users have been complaining about the “We couldn’t find this app” error. This error also appears when you boot up your PC. Microsoft recently addressed the issue on one of its support pages. Here is a short guide on how to fix it.
Did You Uninstall the App Correctly?
One of the most common reasons for the “We couldn’t find this app” error is that you might’ve recently deleted an app instead of properly uninstalling it. When you do that, leftover bits and pieces can get stay saved in your system’s registry, which is like the brain of your Windows computer. These leftover files can mess with Windows OS, leading to different errors like the one you are facing.
You have to manually remove these leftover files from the Registry Editor. Here’s how:
Caution: Messing with the registry can be tricky. It’s a good idea to back it up before making any changes—just in case.
- Open the Windows Search (Windows Key + S), type in Registry Editor, and open it.
- Navigate to the following paths:
For all users:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
For the current user:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOn the right side of the window-pane, look for files containing the name of the app you have uninstalled. If you find one, you can safely delete them.
Check for Missing Apps
Another possibility is that the app might be on a removable or network drive that isn’t currently connected. Reconnecting the drive could solve the issue. If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling the app. Sometimes reinstalling can restore the correct file path, allowing your system to find the app and, hopefully, fix the error.
Pro Tip: You can manually check if the app’s file path is broken. Head to Settings > Apps > Startup and click the little square icon with an arrow next to the On/Off toggle for the app. If it leads you to a registry path, use the Registry Editor to check if the path is broken.
Windows can sometimes throw confusing errors, but they’re often tied to something on the user’s end like uninstalling an app incorrectly or moving files around. Hopefully, this guide helps you clear up the “We couldn’t find this app on startup” error. However, if the issue persists, your last resort may be reinstalling Windows.
