Imagine this: you just updated your PC to Windows 11 and you’re excited to try out the new features. You click on the Start Menu, try to open an app — and it crashes. You try again. It crashes again. Even the Microsoft Store and things like Settings refuse to open. What just happened?
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TLDR (Too long, didn’t read)
Some Windows 11 installations ended up with a weird glitch causing all apps, even the built-in ones, to crash on launch. This was usually caused by a bad driver, conflicting software, or both. Doing a clean boot and resetting drivers often helped fix the issue. If you’re still wrestling with app crashes, scroll down for easy steps to get your PC back up and running.
So, What Happened Exactly?
When this issue hit, it affected everything. You couldn’t open Notepad, Settings, Microsoft Store — even the Feedback Hub may not work. It felt like your PC was made of glass. Tap anything, and it shattered.
This mess seemed to start after either:
- A feature update for Windows 11
- A buggy driver installation (like display, audio, or chipset drivers)
- Software that doesn’t play nice with Windows 11 (like outdated antivirus apps)
Now, don’t worry — your whole system isn’t broken. But something in the background is. Apps rely on certain services and drivers to function. If those services are failing or drivers are broken, applications can crash instantly.
Why Did Even Built-In Apps Crash?
Good question. You’d expect maybe one or two third-party apps to crash. But when native tools like the Microsoft Store and Settings also stop working, it usually points to system-level failure.
This could be caused by:
- A corrupted Windows service
- Conflicting driver behavior
- Broken registry entries due to misbehaving software or updates
Fun fact: Windows apps often rely on services like Windows Shell Experience, COM interfaces, or DirectX-related features. If the connection between these systems breaks — boom, everything freezes or dies on launch.
How to Fix It (Without Losing Your Mind)
Alright, deep breath! You don’t need to format your drive or scream into a pillow. Most people fixed this problem using a combo of two tricks:
1. Do a Clean Boot
A “clean boot” helps you start Windows with just the essential stuff. No sketchy drivers. No odd background processes. Just the basics. Here’s how:
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter
- Under the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services”
- Click Disable all
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager
- Disable all startup items
- Restart your computer
Now try launching those problematic apps again. If they work — awesome! Something third-party was messing with them. Next step: find the villain and uninstall or disable it.
2. Reset or Roll Back Drivers
Recent drivers love to break things. They just do. Especially graphics or chipset drivers. Here’s how you reverse that damage:
- Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager
- Open sections like Display adapters, Sound, and System devices
- Right-click the hardware, choose Properties
- Under the Driver tab, choose Roll Back Driver if it’s not grayed out
- If roll back isn’t available, try Uninstall Device, then restart your PC
Windows will usually reinstall the default driver automatically. This basic one tends to be more stable than the bleeding-edge version.
Bonus Tips If That Didn’t Work
Still no luck? Try these extra moves:
- Create a New User Account: Sometimes, user profiles get corrupted. Start fresh with a new one and test apps there.
- Use System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as admin and run sfc /scannow. This checks for broken or missing system files and replaces them.
- DISM Check: Another advanced tool. In the same Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Boot into Safe Mode: See if apps work there. If they do, your issue is definitely a third-party conflict.
But Why Is This So Random?
Some PCs were hit; some weren’t. Why?
Well, it really comes down to each machine’s unique combo of drivers and software. Like snowflakes — no two Windows installs are 100% the same. Even a seemingly harmless utility app or outdated antivirus can wreck everything during an update.
Also, some OEM (original equipment manufacturers) preloaded drivers or apps don’t play well with newer builds of Windows. Even if your PC works fine for months, one surprise update could trigger chaos.
What Microsoft Is Doing About It
Microsoft has gotten better about identifying widespread bugs like these. Through things like Telemetry and Insider Builds, they spot trends faster now. In some cases, they’ve paused specific updates or driver rollouts when crash reports spike.
Still, they can only do so much. Many issues stem from third-party drivers Microsoft doesn’t fully control.
They’ve also ramped up protections like “Known Issue Rollback” — a tech that can undo specific update portions if too many people report problems. It’s not perfect, but it helps!
Prevent This From Happening Again
You’ve fixed the problem. Awesome! Let’s keep it that way.
- Keep Drivers Updated — But Not from Random Sources: Stick to Windows Update or your PC manufacturer’s site. Avoid driver packs from sketchy websites.
- Be Picky About Apps: Especially utility and performance booster apps. Many cause more harm than good.
- Set a Restore Point Before Updates: If an update borks your system, you can roll back easily.
- Use Windows Security: It’s built-in and pretty powerful now. You probably don’t need heavy external antivirus tools.
In Conclusion
Windows 11 is sleek, smart, and mostly stable. But sometimes, it steps on its own toes. When every app — even the system ones — starts crashing, panic is normal. Thankfully, a clean boot and some driver rollbacks have helped thousands get back on track.
Just remember: if one fix doesn’t work, try another. These issues usually aren’t permanent. With some patience and a few clicks, you’ll have a working PC again. Happy computing!
