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.

This article explains how to repair apps and programs in Windows 11 and use Settings to fix common app issues without reinstalling. 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.

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.

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.

Provides links to the uninstall tools and directions for many security programs.

Get Help has troubleshooters, or diagnostic tests, that can check your system configuration for anything that might be causing issues using your devices. View troubleshooter results. After you run any troubleshooter, Get Help provides details on any findings and suggestions for possible remedies.

Learn about Windows RE, how to access it, and the different tools it offers.

Windows provides several recovery tools to help you troubleshoot and restore your PC when issues occur, such as startup failures, update problems, or malware infections. If you're having problems with your Windows device, the following table can help you decide which recovery option to use: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Windows 11 might shut down or restart unexpectedly when a serious problem occurs, causing you to briefly see an error message, such as “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.” Windows 11 will then restart automatically.

Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain system problems that might prevent Windows from starting. It scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.