How to Solve the Mysterious “App Opens Then Immediately Closes” Bug on Fresh Windows Installs

If you’ve ever installed or reinstalled Windows on a PC and found that certain apps open for a second then vanish, you are not alone. This puzzling issue — where apps briefly flash on screen before vanishing altogether — can be both annoying and confusing. It often affects commonly used software such as Chrome, Spotify, or even built-in Microsoft apps like Calculator and Microsoft Store. The good news is: many users have encountered this and found solutions that work.

Table of Contents

TL;DR

This app-crashing bug usually appears on fresh Windows installations due to missing system libraries, corrupted Microsoft Store registries, or outdated drivers. Users have fixed it by updating Windows fully, reinstalling essential runtime components like the Visual C++ Redistributables and .NET Framework, resetting Microsoft Store cache, and replacing corrupted user profiles. If affected apps are from the Microsoft Store, repairing or reinstalling them has resolved the issue for many.

The Bug in Action

The app launches, its window appears briefly, and then… nothing. It disappears instantly without error messages or logs. Users have even reported this with multiple apps — suggesting a systemic problem rather than a software-specific issue.

This frustrating scenario tends to happen right after a system restore, clean installation, or major Windows feature update. Oftentimes, users experience this on a newly built PC or after upgrading hardware and reinstalling Windows 10 or 11. Fortunately, several community-tested methods have proven successful in tackling this issue.

Common Causes of Immediate App Crashes

Though this bug appears mysterious at first, the root causes are consistent:

Incomplete or pending Windows updates
Missing Visual C++ Redistributables or outdated runtime environments
Corrupted Microsoft Store cache or registry entries
Faulty driver installations, especially graphics or chipset drivers
User profile corruption after the install process

How Users Fixed the Problem

Here are the most effective techniques users have reported to resolve the app-crashing issue:

1. Fully Update Windows

A clean install may leave out several incremental updates and patches. Users strongly recommend:

Opening Settings > Windows Update and checking for updates repeatedly until none are left.
Restarting the PC between update cycles to allow proper configuration.

2. Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Most major apps — especially those built with C++, such as game launchers — rely on these runtime libraries:

Download and install the latest VC++ Redistributables (x86 and x64) from Microsoft’s official site.
Also install earlier versions (2013, 2015, 2017) as some older apps still depend on them.

3. Reinstall or Repair the .NET Framework

Windows 10 and 11 typically include the .NET Framework by default, but errors can crop up:

Enable it from Control Panel > Turn Windows features on or off.
If already enabled, use the .NET Repair Tool from Microsoft to fix inconsistencies.

4. Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

This is especially helpful if Microsoft Store apps like Spotify or Xbox crash instantly:

Press Windows + R, type wsreset, and press Enter. This will launch and reset the Store.
If that fails, use PowerShell to reinstall the Store with the command:

Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Reset-AppxPackage

5. Perform a Clean Boot

Sometimes installed services interfere with runtime processes. A clean boot eliminates this:

Use msconfig to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items.
Restart and see if the crashing behavior persists.

6. Update or Reinstall GPU and Chipset Drivers

Graphics drivers can play a surprising role in app crashes, especially for visually intensive software:

Use Device Manager or visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) for latest drivers.
Reinstall chipset drivers from the motherboard manufacturer’s support page as well.

7. Create a New User Profile

If all else fails, the issue may lie in profile-level corruption:

Create a new user either through Settings > Accounts or from cmd with administrative rights.
Switch to that account and test if the same apps behave normally. Many users reported success with this fix.

Advanced Fixes for Persistent Issues

If none of the above fixes work, more technical steps have also resolved it for some users:

Check the Event Viewer for “Faulting application name” and “Exception code” — this can point to the failing DLL or runtime.

Re-register the affected apps using PowerShell scripts:

Get-AppxPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Use System File Checker and DISM:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for the mysterious “app opens then closes immediately” issue. However, thanks to the Windows community’s efforts, users have documented a variety of successful fixes. Whether it was missing libraries, profile corruption, or botched Store installations, these steps have helped thousands of users restore usability to a fresh Windows install. With patience and methodical troubleshooting, this bug can be resolved permanently.

FAQ

Q: Why do apps crash immediately on a fresh Windows install?: A: It’s often due to missing runtime libraries, corrupted Microsoft Store cache, outdated drivers, or an incomplete Windows update cycle.
Q: Will updating Windows fully fix the issue?: A: In many cases, yes. Fully updating Windows ensures all required components, drivers, and patches are present and compatible.
Q: Do I need to manually download Visual C++ Redistributables?: A: Yes. Even with Windows updated, some older or third-party apps require specific VC++ packs that aren’t included by default.
Q: Is the issue related to hardware failure?: A: It’s unlikely. Most reports show it’s a software or configuration issue, although missing drivers for new hardware can contribute to instability.
Q: What if Store apps are crashing but non-Store apps work fine?: A: In that case, reseting the Windows Store cache or re-registering apps via PowerShell is the most effective solution.