How to Fix the 'This App Can't Be Activated by the Built in

This updated guide examines How to Fix the 'This App Can't Be Activated by the Built in and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 4:

Adjusting UAC Settings

1. Click the Start button. You can also press?Win.
2. Typeuacwhile the Start menu is open. This will search for UAC options.
3. Click theChange User Account Control settingsoption. This will open the User Account Control Settings window.
4. Move the slider up one level. If UAC was disabled, move the slider up one level to enable basic UAC. If UAC was already enabled, raise the slider to the next security level.
5. ClickOK. Click Yes if prompted by UAC to continue.
6. Restart your computer. You'll need to reboot your computer in order for the new UAC changes to take effect.
7. Try opening the app again.
8. Lower your UAC settings again. If the app is able to launch, you should be able to go back to your UAC settings and lower it to the setting you were using before. You'll need to reboot again after making the changes.^[1]

Method 2of 4:

Clearing the Store Cache

1. Press?Win+R. This will open the Run window.
2. TypeWSReset.exeand press?Enter. You'll see a Command Prompt window appear for a few moments, and then the Windows Store will open.
3. Try opening your app again. Resetting the Windows Store may have fixed the problem you were experiencing.^[2]

Method 3of 4:

Running System File Checker

1. Right-click the Start button. You'll see a list of options appear. If you're using Windows 8 and don't see a Start button, press?Win+X.
2. ClickCommand Prompt (Admin). This will open a Command Prompt window with administrator access.
3. TypeSFC /scannowand press?Enter. This will begin the System File Checker utility.
4. Wait while the scan completes. You can see the scan progress in the Command Prompt window. The scan can take quite a while, especially for slower systems or computers with large amounts of storage.
   • You can cancel the scan at any time by pressingCtrl+C.
5. Try running the app again. If the scan was able to find and repair any problems, your app may now work.

Method 4of 4:

Checking Security Policies

1. Press?Win+R. This will open the Run window.
   • This method should only be attempted if all other methods have failed, as it involved manually editing Windows Registry entries.
2. Typesecpol.mscand press?Enter. If you get a "Windows cannot find secpol.msc" message, you are not running a compatible version of Windows. This feature is only available in Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows.
3. Expand theLocal Policiesfolder. You'll see this in the left frame, and several folders will appear underneath it.
4. ClickSecurity Options. You'll see a list of policies appear in the right frame.
5. Find theUser Access Control: Admin Approval Mode...entry. You may have to scroll to find it.
6. Double-click the entry.
7. Select theEnabledradio button.
8. ClickOK.
9. Press?Win+R. This will open the Run window again.
10. Typeregeditand press?Enter.
11. Expand the directory tree to find the correct entry. Expand the directory tree in the left frame to open the following location:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ? SOFTWARE ? Microsoft ? Windows ? CurrentVersion ? Policies ? System ? UIPI
12. Double-click the (Default) item. You'll see this in the right frame after selecting the UIPI folder.
13. Type0x00000001(1)into theValue datafield.
14. ClickOK. This will save the changes.
15. Restart your computer. This will apply your new security policy and registry settings.
16. Try running your app again. If your computer's security policy settings were to blame for the app not working, it should work now.^[3]