Although Windows 10 is an amazing operating system, it has some flaws that surface in form of different errors.  A common error reported by many users is “this app can’t run on your PC” error.

You can get “this app can’t run on your PC” error in different scenarios like when you are trying to install an application, when you are running an application after a very long time or when you are trying to run an updated version of the app.

This problem is not related to any specific application and many times it is hard to tell why such error is generated. Windows may pop up this message on the screen because it thinks the application might be harmful or not appropriate for the system.

Annoying as it seems, this error can be fixed by the solutions given below.  We have presented four different solutions that might fix the issue. You don’t need to try all solutions, start with the first solution and work your way downwards trying other solutions until the issue is fixed. Let’s get started.

Solution One – Download and install the right version of programs

The first thing you should know that you can run 32-bit apps on 64-bit Windows operating system but cannot run a 64-bit app on 32-bit Windows operating system. One of the reasons you are getting this error is you are trying to install a 64-bit application on 32-bit Windows OS.

You can find out whether the Windows operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit by following these simple steps:

• Go to Desktop
• Right-click This PC and then click Properties.
• In the System window that opens, look for System Type where the bit-architecture of Windows OS is mentioned

Download and install the right version of the program to get rid of the error. If the error still persists, try next solution.

Solution Two – Use a different administrator account

 If you are using a guest account, you need to first log off and log through an administrator account.  If you are already logged through administrator account and getting this error, you need to create a new administrator account following the steps given below.

• On the keyboard, press Windows logo key and I simultaneously to bring up the Settings window
• In the Settings window, click Accounts

• On the left side of the pane, click Family & other people. On the right side pane, look for Other People section and click Add someone else to this PC

• In the Microsoft Account window, click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information

• In the next window, click Add a user without a Microsoft account

• Type in the user name, password and password hint in relevant fields and click Next

• Now go to Settings window again and click Family & other people. In the right pane, you should see the new account created. We have created a user namecom
• Click on the account name to reveal change the account type option and click on it

• In the change account type window, click Administrator from the list  and click OK

• Switch to the new administrator account and see if it solves the problem. If the problem is resolved, move all folders and files to this new account and use this account now on.

If the problem persists, try the next solution

Solution Three – Disable SmartScreen feature

The SmartScreen feature in Windows 10 is designed to protect your computer from malware and phishing attacks.  There is a possibility the SmartScreen feature is preventing you from installing or using certain apps even when you feel they are safe.

In such case, disabling SmartScreen feature could get the apps working again. However, this is only a temporary workaround and you need to enable SmartScreen feature if it does not resolve the issue. You need to be logged in to your administrator account to perform these steps. Here are the steps to disable SmartScreen feature.

• Press Windows logo key and S simultaneously on the keyboard to bring up Cortana search
• Type smartscreen in the search box

• Click App & browser control
• In the Windows Defender Security center window, click Off under Check apps and files

• Click Yes in User account control window to proceed

Try installing the app now and see if you get the “this app can’t run on your PC” error. If the error persists, enable SmartScreen and try the next solution.

Solution Four – Enable Sideload apps option

If the app you are trying to install is not from Windows Store, you need to enable Sideload apps option that allows you install apps from other sources you trust. Here are the steps to enable Sideload apps option,

Note: you need to use this option only if you have 100% trust in the app publisher. 

• On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and I simultaneously to bring up the Settings window
• In the Settings window, click Update & security

• On the left side of the pane, click For developers. On the right side, click Sideload apps

Now try installing the app. In most cases, “This app can’t run on your PC” error should be fixed.