Learn how to get older apps or programs to run on Windows 10 or Windows 11 by adjusting compatibility settings.

When you install, uninstall, or update a program on a Windows-based computer, you may receive one of the following error messages. The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. Windows Installer Service couldn't be started. Could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied.

There are different ways to remove apps and programs, so if you can't find the one you're looking for, you can try another location. Note that some apps and programs are built into Windows and can't be uninstalled. You can try to repair a program first, if it's just not running correctly.

When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, your operating system may begin to malfunction. Common symptoms include Windows features not working properly, system errors, or Windows becoming unresponsive or freezing.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11. Learn more. Note: Use these steps for Windows programs.

You can repair some apps and programs if they're not running correctly. Note that you won't see repair, change, or modify options for all apps and programs. Repair options from the Settings page. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Select the More icon next to the app you want to fix.

Download the drivers for the desired device from the device manufacturer's site. Make sure to download the correct drivers that match the version and architecture of Windows. Once downloaded, if necessary, uncompress the downloaded drivers. Make a note of where the drivers are located on the Windows device.

Here are a few different ways to find help for Windows. Search for help - Enter a question or keywords in the search box on the taskbar to find apps, files, settings, and get help from the web.

Use this tool to find and remove specific prevalent threats and reverse the changes that they made (see Covered malware families). For comprehensive malware detection and removal, consider using Windows Defender Offline or Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Learn how to set up your Kinect for Windows v2 sensor or Xbox Kinect sensor with the Kinect Adapter for Windows 10 PC.