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If a browser shows “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000022),” Windows or one of the browser’s dependencies may have been denied access to something it needs. The code does not identify the blocked file or prove the browser itself is damaged. Start by checking whether one browser or every browser fails; that determines whether to repair the browser or investigate Windows, security software, or your user profile.
First, identify what is failing
Before changing settings, note the exact error, when it began, and whether it appears before the browser opens or only after a particular page or feature loads. The usual message is “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000022). Click OK to close the application.” The code is commonly associated with an access-denied condition, but it does not name the resource that was denied. It could be a browser file, DLL, profile file, registry key, Windows component, security service, or policy. Microsoft troubleshooting material discusses access, permissions, app registration, package corruption, and security or policy restrictions in this class of problem.
Windows edition and version/build (run winver):
Browser and version:
Exact error text:
One browser or all browsers:
Works in another Windows account?
Started after an update or software change?Use the pattern to choose the next step:
- Only Edge fails: start with Edge’s supported repair, then check extensions and its profile.
- Only Chrome fails: check Chrome extensions and profile, then use Google’s official repair or reinstall route.
- Several unrelated browsers fail: investigate Windows integrity, security software, policy, recent system changes, and the Windows user profile before reinstalling browsers.
- The browser works only when elevated: treat that as a clue to a profile, permission, or policy issue—not as a reason to keep using it as administrator.
- It crashes after opening a particular page, camera, microphone, or media feature: investigate that trigger, graphics acceleration, and drivers; do not assume it is the same startup failure unless the 0xc0000022 message appears.
To test the administrator clue, right-click the browser shortcut and choose Run as administrator once. Browsers should not routinely run elevated: doing so increases the potential impact of a browser exploit and can create profile ownership problems.
Try the low-risk checks first
- Restart Windows. This can clear a stuck process, update, or locked file. After restarting, test the affected browser before changing anything else.
- Close duplicate browser processes. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select any remaining process for the affected browser, choose End task, and try again.
- Check for recent changes. Note whether the failure began after Windows Update, a browser or security-product update, a graphics-driver installation, System Restore, manual permission changes, moving profile data, or a workplace policy change. Record the Windows build with
winver. Do not attribute the problem to a particular update unless its release information matches your build, timing, and symptoms. - Update Windows and the browser where possible. If the browser will not open, use another browser or the vendor’s official download route. Do not download replacement DLLs or “repair” utilities from third-party sites.
- If the browser opens long enough, disable extensions temporarily. An extension can cause a browser-specific crash, but this test will not resolve a Windows-wide access problem.
If Microsoft Edge is the only browser affected
Microsoft’s supported Edge repair is a sensible first browser-specific fix. It reinstalls Edge components; Microsoft says the repair should preserve browser data and settings. Edge must be closed, an internet connection is required, and an administrator account is needed. On a managed device, the repair option may be unavailable.
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- Close every Edge window. Ensure no other signed-in Windows user is running Edge.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge, select its three-dot menu, and choose Modify.
- Approve the administrator prompt, then select Repair.
- When the repair finishes, restart Windows and test Edge.
If Settings will not open, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc for Task Manager, choose Run new task, enter ms-settings:appsfeatures, and press Enter. If the option is missing or the repair fails, check Microsoft’s Edge troubleshooting guidance and, on a managed computer, contact the administrator.
If Edge opens and then crashes or shows a blank window, Microsoft also recommends checking graphics acceleration and crash information. In Edge, open edge://settings/system and turn off Use graphics acceleration when available for a test. To see recorded crash IDs, open edge://crashes. These checks are more relevant to post-launch crashes than an immediate 0xc0000022 error. See Microsoft’s Edge crash and startup troubleshooting.
If Chrome or another browser is the only one affected
For Chrome, first restart Windows and check whether the failure occurs on every launch or only with a particular page. Google’s Chrome crash guidance distinguishes browser failures from site-specific problems and recommends trying another browser and restarting early in troubleshooting.
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- If Chrome stays open, disable extensions and test again. If it still fails, try a fresh Chrome profile before deleting or resetting the existing one.
- Back up or confirm sync for bookmarks and other data before removing a profile. A new profile test helps distinguish damaged settings or profile files from damaged program files.
- If the installation appears damaged, reinstall using the browser vendor’s official installer. Reinstalling may replace program files but does not necessarily fix a corrupt profile, Windows permission problem, or security block.
For Firefox or another browser, use the same isolation logic: test a fresh profile using the vendor’s documented procedure, check security software, and reinstall only from the official source. Do not erase browser data until bookmarks, passwords, and any unsynced data are backed up.
If several browsers or other apps fail, repair Windows files
When failures affect multiple applications, Windows component or protected-file corruption becomes more plausible. Microsoft recommends using DISM and System File Checker for Windows image and protected system-file problems. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands in order:
- Run
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthand wait for it to finish. - Then run
sfc /scannow. - Restart Windows and test the browser again.
Microsoft’s instructions are in its Windows troubleshooting guidance. Interpret the results as follows:
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- DISM reports “The operation completed successfully”: continue with SFC.
- SFC found and repaired files: restart, then retest.
- SFC found corrupt files but could not fix some: keep the result and CBS log information for support; consider Windows repair or recovery options rather than downloading replacement files.
- DISM fails: record the exact error and use Microsoft’s recovery or support guidance. Repeatedly running unrelated commands is unlikely to clarify the cause.
Even successful DISM and SFC runs do not rule out a browser profile, custom permissions, security software, graphics driver, or application-control policy problem.
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Antivirus, endpoint protection, ransomware protection, exploit protection, and application-control policy can prevent a browser from starting. This possibility deserves particular attention if the failure started after a security update, affects several browsers, or occurs on a school or work computer. Microsoft advises checking third-party security software for updates when Edge has startup or stability problems.
- Update the security product, then review its quarantine, blocked-application, exploit-protection, and ransomware-protection logs for the browser and the time of failure.
- If the logs point to a block, follow the vendor’s documented procedure or ask the organization’s administrator to review it.
- Only perform a temporary protection-off test if the vendor documents a safe method. Re-enable protection immediately afterward.
- Do not create a permanent browser-folder exclusion unless the security vendor or administrator confirms it is appropriate.
On a managed device, AppLocker or other organization policy may be involved, and local changes may be restricted. Microsoft’s modern app troubleshooting guidance covers permissions, app registration, package corruption, and policy as possible areas to investigate.
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Test whether the Windows user profile is the cause
Try the browser from a different local Windows account. If it works there, the failure is more likely tied to the original user profile than to the system-wide browser installation. Profile-specific causes can include browser settings or files, extensions, or incorrect ownership and permissions under the user’s application-data folders.
- Create or use another local account through Settings > Accounts > Other users, if available, or ask an administrator to help if the device is managed.
- Sign into that account and try the affected browser without importing the old profile.
- If it works, back up bookmarks, passwords, and other needed data, then investigate or rebuild the original browser profile before considering broader Windows changes.
A working second account is a diagnostic result, not a repair of the original account. Avoid deleting the old profile or browser data until the backup is verified.
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Use Event Viewer or Process Monitor for a persistent access failure
If simpler tests do not isolate the cause, use logs to identify what failed rather than resetting permissions blindly. Event Viewer may show an application error or faulting module near the time of launch. For Edge, edge://crashes can provide crash IDs if the browser stays open long enough to record them.
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Process Monitor: advanced diagnosis
Microsoft Sysinternals Process Monitor can show file, registry, and process activity. It is intended for advanced users or support technicians; an ACCESS DENIED line alone is not proof of cause. Microsoft cautions that denied events must be tied to the failing process and startup sequence.
- Download Process Monitor from Microsoft Sysinternals and run it as administrator.
- Start capture, launch the failing browser, then stop capture immediately after the error.
- Filter for the relevant process, such as
msedge.exe,chrome.exe, orfirefox.exe. - Look for
ACCESS DENIEDevents and correlate the time, process, and exact file or registry key with the failed launch. - Where possible, compare with a working account or machine. Do not change permissions until the denied object is identified and the correct fix is established.
Follow Microsoft’s Process Monitor guidance for app startup failures. Some denied accesses are expected and unrelated to a crash.
Avoid risky permission and “repair” fixes
Do not take ownership of all of C:Windows, replace permissions across C:Program FilesWindowsApps, grant Full Control to Everyone or broad user groups, delete protected folders, or run unknown registry-permission scripts. Such changes can weaken Windows security or break apps and updates. Microsoft Q&A has discussed permissions as one possible cause of this error, but that is not a safe basis for broad permission edits; see the Microsoft discussion.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Do not run registry cleaners, DLL downloaders, or generic “PC repair” utilities.
- Do not keep browsers in administrator mode as a workaround.
- Do not disable antivirus permanently or leave broad exclusions behind.
- Do not treat every Process Monitor denial as causal or every 0xc0000022 error as malware or a missing DLL.
When to move to Windows recovery or support
Escalate only after lower-risk browser, account, security, and integrity checks. Back up important files and browser data before Windows recovery work. Depending on the symptoms and available recovery options, consider System Restore if a suitable restore point exists, a Windows repair installation, or Reset this PC only after less destructive options fail. Recovery labels and availability vary by Windows build, edition, device management, and manufacturer.
Seek Microsoft, manufacturer, or organization IT support if Settings, Explorer, Task Manager, or many unrelated apps also fail; the PC cannot boot normally; permissions were broadly changed; DISM or SFC repeatedly fails; malware or ransomware is suspected; or the device is managed by work or school. A repair that temporarily works but repeatedly fails again also warrants investigation of the underlying policy, security product, driver, or profile.
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