Cannot open Windows Default Apps (Windows cannot access the specified device path or file)


bennieboi20

Member
Local time
4:12 AM
Posts
8
OS
Windows 11 23H2
Hey all
You're my last line of help before I decide to reset my pc.
I have an issue whereby I cannot open most default Windows Apps by any means, be that notepad, paint terminal etc.
I think when I set up Windows 11 I used a program to disable some services and files etc, but I cannot remember which one now so that I may "undo" what has been done.

Please see a photo of the error

1748296900638.webp

Things I have done:
repair via windows update
sfc /scannow
dsim repair
re register all windows apps via powershell

any further help would be appreciated

I am an IT engineer by trade so dont be afraid to get technical
 
Windows Build/Version
24H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
Welcome.

You may be better of doing a Repair Install (keeping everything installed) Not a Reset.

 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
I am an IT engineer by trade so dont be afraid to get technical
What script or app did you use to disable things? That would help understand what it might have done.

Basically you've screwed up the ability to run UWP apps (wt = Terminal, Notepad, Paint). I presume Win +R can run "conhost.exe cmd /k" to open a CMD shell? Could be a service, could be messed up folder permissions...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Welcome.

You may be better of doing a Repair Install (keeping everything installed) Not a Reset.

Hey thanks for the response, as i mentioned I have already tried this.
What script or app did you use to disable things? That would help understand what it might have done.

Basically you've screwed up the ability to run UWP apps (wt = Terminal, Notepad, Paint). I presume Win +R can run "conhost.exe cmd /k" to open a CMD shell? Could be a service, could be messed up folder permissions...
Yeah this is part of the big issue i have right now, i no longer have the program downloaded and I cannot for the life of me remember what it was called.
I've been scouring the web but not come across the one i used.
Indeed I can open a cmd shell with conhost, I can also open up the old cmd and powershell on their own via run or searching for them in the start menu.
Does anyone have a list of most common "debloating" software that people are using?
I can go through and see if they were the ones I used
I checked the permissions on the UWP folder itself and they seem to be in line with a known good laptop that I have
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
Did you commit the cardinal sin of changing the folder permissions for "\Windows\SystemApps" or "\Program Files\WindowApps"? There's a specific security model for UWP apps, which don't work like Win32 apps because of that. Once you mess up the folder or file permissions, it's all downhill.

One of the things you can do is a repair install, using an ISO image which has been updated to the same build version as your current Windows. The reinstall will override whatever broken permissions are on the current system.

If you're lucky, you may have disabled one of the required services like RuntimeBroker, RPC Locator or Capabilities Access Manager.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Hey thanks for the response, as i mentioned I have already tried this.

Sorry about that, you certainly did mention that. My apologies.

Option Two in that tutorial though? “Repair Install Windows 11 using ISO or USB Installation Media”
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Did you commit the cardinal sin of changing the folder permissions for "\Windows\SystemApps" or "\Program Files\WindowApps"? There's a specific security model for UWP apps, which don't work like Win32 apps because of that. Once you mess up the folder or file permissions, it's all downhill.

One of the things you can do is a repair install, using an ISO image which has been updated to the same build version as your current Windows. The reinstall will override whatever broken permissions are on the current system.

If you're lucky, you may have disabled one of the required services like RuntimeBroker, RPC Locator or Capabilities Access Manager.
I didnt change any permissions myself, However I do think i know which utility it was now, i think it was likely an older version of The Ultimate Windows Utility (github: GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates).
I did a repair install via the built in system repair as mentioned in my first post, are you referring to something else?
I
Sorry about that, you certainly did mention that. My apologies.

Option Two in that tutorial though? “Repair Install Windows 11 using ISO or USB Installation Media”
Gonna give it a go and see what happens
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
I did a repair install via the built in system repair as mentioned in my first post, are you referring to something else?


I believe Garlin is also taking about “Option Two”
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
I didnt change any permissions myself, However I do think i know which utility it was now, i think it was likely an older version of The Ultimate Windows Utility (github: GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates).
I did a repair install via the built in system repair as mentioned in my first post, are you referring to something else?
If you're using the newer online repair from Windows Update which takes forever to run, then yes that's equivalent to a repair reinstall from ISO. It's the one where WU downloads almost a complete copy of WinSxS in a staging folder and uses it as the DISM repair source.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
If you're using the newer online repair from Windows Update which takes forever to run, then yes that's equivalent to a repair reinstall from ISO. It's the one where WU downloads almost a complete copy of WinSxS in a staging folder and uses it as the DISM repair source.
Yeah I used the WU download but that has not helped im afraid.
Any further ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
Does creating a new user still work? Just to check if it's a system-wide vs per-user profile issue?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Does creating a new user still work? Just to check if it's a system-wide vs per-user profile issue?
I'll give this a test as soon as I'm done with my D&D session :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
Keep rolling a D20 until your character gets a working Windows.
So I guess you guys blessed my dice, ended up with 2 natural 20's haha.
In other news I tested with a new account and all of the UWP apps do work.
Where can we go from here?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
That indicates some user profile corruption, which re-registering Apps would normally fix. But you did that already.

You could rename your existing bennie account to a backup name, create a new bennie user and transfer/copy your user files over. Or change their ownership from File Properties / Security so bennie2 takes over bennie1's files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
That indicates some user profile corruption, which re-registering Apps would normally fix. But you did that already.

You could rename your existing bennie account to a backup name, create a new bennie user and transfer/copy your user files over. Or change their ownership from File Properties / Security so bennie2 takes over bennie1's files.
I tried the security method and that didnt seem to help, getting the same error message.
Whats the easiest way to go about transferring the accounts across, current account is a microsoft account
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
Whats the easiest way to go about transferring the accounts across, current account is a microsoft account

Maybe:

1. Create your new Local User. Change the account type to Administrator.

2. Login under the new account. Copy user folders from the old user (copying in this direction, so the new user owns THEIR copies of the original files). Also if you're copying, instead of moving files, you can start over again if you made a mistake.

3. Open System Properties, and User Profiles dialog. Find the old user, copy their profile (registry settings) to your new user.

(Scroll down to the middle of the answer)​

4. Log out & log back on. Worse case, the old account is unchanged.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
To help you out:



 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.

To help you out:



perfect thanks pal.
Ill give this a shot tomorrow or another day.
Its currently 00:22 here so time for bed,
Thanks a lot so far
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7700
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B650M-A
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 32GB (5600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON RX 7800 XT 16GB
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB (M.2)
    - Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB (M.2) x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000x (1000Watt)
    Case
    NZXT H5 Elite - Zwart / RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H100i ELITE Capellix XT - Zwar
I'll start with a disclaimer: I know squat about Christ Titus or his software. I do know that I've seen a number of complaints of issues from "things now don't run" to "why are all these additional processes running now" to "my system got slower" after running his software. Then there are people who think it's marvelous and sing its praises.

Here's a local thread: Windows Utility by Chris Titus . There's a link at the end to the 8000+ lines of code that are in it. Happy reading.

Personally, I do my own tweaking, after some research on my own and/or asking some questions here. That way I can hopefully reverse whatever gets tweaked if I run into problems.

MHO, there are others.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Ultra 7 155H
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc integrated
    Hard Drives
    SSD

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom