First identify what is missing: the app itself, its Start or taskbar shortcut, its Microsoft Store listing, or the file-type association that tells Windows which app to open. These are different problems. If an app is installed, restoring its default association does not require reinstalling it; if it is absent, changing an association will not bring it back.
How do I get my default apps back in Windows 10 or Windows 11?
Use the least disruptive fix that matches the symptom. Start by searching for the app, then restore a file association if the app opens but the wrong program handles a file. Repair an installed app if it will not work. Only investigate the Store or Windows recovery if the app itself is missing or those targeted steps fail.
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| What you notice | What it usually means | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| The app opens, but a file or link opens in another program | The default association changed; the app may still be installed | Settings > Apps > Default apps |
| The app is not on Start or the taskbar | A shortcut or pin may be missing | Search Start for the app |
| The app cannot be found or installed | It may be unavailable, restricted, incompatible, or affected by Store/account issues | Check Microsoft Store availability and account or device restrictions |
| An installed app appears but will not run properly | The app may need repair or reset | Settings app repair options, if available |
Restore the file or link association
- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Microsoft’s instructions cover both Windows 10 and Windows 11: Change Default Apps in Windows.
- Search for the file extension or protocol, such as
.txt, select its result, and choose an installed app. - Alternatively, select an app in Default apps and review the file types and links it supports.
This changes what Windows uses to open a particular type; it does not install an app that is missing. If the desired app is not among the choices, confirm that it is installed and working before troubleshooting the association further.
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Find an app that is only missing from Start or the taskbar
- Open Start and search for the app by name.
- If it appears, open it to confirm it is installed. Pin it again if you want it on Start or the taskbar.
- If it does not appear, check whether it is listed under Settings > Apps, then use the Store or your organization’s approved deployment method if it needs reinstalling.
For Microsoft Store specifically, Microsoft recommends searching Start first. If Store is absent from results, check that you are signed in with the appropriate Microsoft account and whether an administrator has disabled it: Can’t find Microsoft Store app.
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Repair an installed app that is missing or malfunctioning
Repair is a targeted step for an installed app that does not work correctly; it is not a way to restore a package that has been removed. Microsoft notes that not every app offers Repair or Reset.
Windows 11
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the app, open its menu, and select Advanced options if shown.
- Select Repair if available. Test the app again. If Repair is unavailable or does not fix the problem, try Reset if offered.
Windows 10
Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, and look for its available repair or advanced options. Labels and available controls vary by app. Microsoft’s version-specific guidance is in Repair apps and programs in Windows.
Check Microsoft Store when an app cannot be found or installed
An app’s absence from search or the Store does not prove that Windows is broken. Microsoft lists several possible causes, including regional availability, family settings, removal from the Store catalog, device compatibility, account authorization, and a Windows update that still needs a restart. Review I can’t find or install an app from Microsoft Store and address the cause that matches your situation.
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If Microsoft Store will not open
For a Store cache issue, Microsoft documents running wsreset.exe. Search for it from Start and run it; a blank command window opens and closes, then Store should open. If it does not, follow Microsoft’s additional troubleshooting at Microsoft Store doesn’t open.
Check work or school device management
On a managed PC, an administrator may have deliberately removed preinstalled Microsoft Store apps through policy. Ask your IT administrator to check the applicable policy and clear it if the app should be restored; the administrator can then reinstall it from Store or redeploy it with management tools. Do not try to bypass an organization’s controls. Microsoft documents the policy at Policy-Based Removal of Pre-installed Microsoft Store Apps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use Windows recovery only after targeted fixes fail
Recovery is more disruptive than changing an association or repairing one app. Back up important files first, and check that you can access your BitLocker recovery key if device encryption is enabled. Microsoft’s Recovery options in Windows guide orders options from less to more disruptive, but choices vary by Windows version.
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Understand what Reset this PC keeps
Reset this PC reinstalls Windows, and the selected option determines what is retained. “Keep my files” preserves personal files but removes apps and settings, so it is not a targeted way to restore one missing app. Review Reset your PC before proceeding.
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For Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, Microsoft documents a Windows Update reinstall option that keeps files, apps, and settings. Availability and exact recovery choices depend on the installed release; consult Microsoft’s recovery guidance for the options shown on your PC.
Windows 10 support status
Microsoft states, “Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025.” After that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. This lifecycle change does not mean the existing Windows 10 default-app or repair steps stop working. See Microsoft’s Repair apps and programs in Windows page for the support notice and repair guidance.
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