Windows cannot find C:Program FilesWindowsApps. Some Windows users when they try to open or launch any application on their Windows installation, they get the error message Windows cannot find C:Program FilesWindowsApps. In this article, we will guide you through some methods to fix the above problem.

Causes:

This Windows cannot find the Program files error happens because the incorrect debugger or filter is created for these programs in the Registry Image File Execution Options. The IFEO registry key allows developers to attach a debugger to a specific program when it is launched.

Method 1. Delete the debug image file option registry value

Step 1. Press Win + R and then type “Regedit”, and then click on “OK”.

Step 2. Navigate here:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Step 2. Now, on the left pane, scroll through the list of executables under the IFEO key until you find the app or program that won’t open, click on the application executable item.

On the right pane, right-click any import debugger and select Remove. You can do the same steps for any other apps that won’t launch.

Step 3: Reboot the PC then try again

Method 2. Assign permissions to the folder “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps”

By default, the folder “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\ is hidden, so the first step you will have to enable is to see hidden folders and files. To do this thing:

Step 1: Right-click the Start button and select Control Panel

Step 2: On the Control Panel windows, set the View by item to Small icons

Step 3: Open the File Explorer Options windows

Step 4: On the File Explorer Options window, at the View tab, tick Show hidden files, folders, and drives and then click OK.

Step 5: Open Windows Explorer, then double-click to open the “C:\Program Files” folder.

Step 6: Right-click the WindowsApp folder and then click Properties.

Step 7: Select the Security tab, then click Advanced.

Step 8: In the Owner section, click the Change link.

Step 9: Add your user account (username) ( such as administrator) into the Enter the object name to select box and then click OK.

Then try again.

Method 3. Delete the IFEO filter in the registry

Step 1. Press Win + R and then type “Regedit”, and then click on “OK”.

Step 2. Navigate here:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Step 3. Now, on the left pane, scroll through the list of executables under the IFEO key until you find the app or program that won’t open. Click on the application executable item.

On the right pane, right-click any Imported UseFilter and select Delete. You can do the same steps for any other apps that won’t launch.

Step 4: Reboot the PC then try again

Conclusion

Here in this post, We have guided you through the methods to fix the error Windows cannot find C:\Program Files\WindowsApps on Windows. Hopefully, this article will be useful for you. Good luck!