All default apps configured for Microsoft WinRT Storage API in Windows 11/10

Some users are facing an issue where they cannot open Microsoft Store apps like Photos, Calculators, Maps, etc. They also can’t find the Microsoft Store. In fact, they even note that the To open with the dialog shows Microsoft WinRT Storage API as the default app to open, rather than the actual target. If you encounter this problem, the tips in this article may help.

What is WinRT?

WinRT is an abbreviation for Running Windows. Allows APIs to be consumed from multiple languages. If your app uses WinRT, it will work on sandbox environment to enhance its security and stability.

What is the Microsoft WinRT Storage API?

The Microsoft WinRT Storage API provides classes for managing files, folders, and application settings. It is useful for developing Microsoft Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications.

All default applications set to open with the Microsoft WinRT0 Storage API

If the WinRT Storage API has become the default application for multiple applications, you can:

• Re-register all Microsoft Store apps with PowerShell command

EITHER

• Reinstall Microsoft Store using PowerShell, then
• Reinstall Windows Store apps that aren’t working properly.

Let’s examine them in detail.

Re-register all Microsoft Store apps with PowerShell command

To create a System restore point first.

then press Win key+Qpaste powershell and select Windows PowerShell among the results, right click on it and choose Execute as an administrator.

In the Windows PowerShell Administration window, type the following command and press Get in then tap:

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

Once the command has been executed successfully, you can close Windows PowerShell and reboot the machine.

This will reinstall all apps. This is also useful if you find that your Microsoft Store app is missing.

Reinstall Microsoft Store, then reinstall apps that are not working properly

You will not be able to see the Microsoft Store or open Windows Store apps like Calculator, Photos, etc. if you encounter this problem. You need to run the following command in powershell (admin). so open Shell Power as administrator of the start menu and run the following command.

Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

Wait for the process to complete.

Now you need to uninstall and then reinstall the apps that are not working properly. Visit the Microsoft Store, search for the app, and install it on your computer.

POINT:10AppsManager is free software that will allow you to easily uninstall and reinstall any of the built-in and pre-installed default apps from the Windows Store.

That should help.

How to set default apps in Windows

If you want to set the default apps in Windows, follow the given steps.

1. Open configuration since The Start menu.
2. Anger Apps > Default apps.
3. From here, you can change the default apps for each activity.

That’s it!

Related: Reset a default app notification in Windows 11/10.