Day in and day out, we work with several different applications on our Windows 10 PC. The list is just endless: media players, word processors, browsers, PC optimization and cleanup tools, games, driver updaters, and video editors. But what if you can’t install any program on your Windows 10 PC and find that your tasks have come to a standstill? If that’s you, here are some steps you can take if Windows 10 won’t let you install anything.
Best Ways to Fix Can’t Install Anything On My Windows 10
| SL. No | Fix | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Restart Your Computer | Restarting helps clear cache and fix software and system issues, some of which might be causing the issue at hand. |
| 2 | Check Your App Installer Settings | This step will remove specific restrictions that stop you from installing apps from other websites other than the Microsoft Store. |
| 3 | Free-Up Disk Space | Maybe you don’t have enough disk space to install applications on your computer. Freeing up disk space may help resolve the issue. |
| 4 | Turn Off The UAC Control | You may want to disable UAC control once to install apps and software. Once the issue is resolved again, please turn it on. |
| 5 | Take Aid of a Third-Party Tool | Can’t install software on Windows 10 manually? You can take the help of third-party software. |
| 6 | Run Windows 10 Troubleshooters | Windows 10 troubleshooters such as Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, Windows Updates Troubleshooters, and a few more can help fix common issues which notoriously interfere with everyday tasks. |
| 7 | Review Antivirus Settings | If an Antivirus flags one or two applications as malware, it might be a real detection. However, if it flags every other software as a malicious threat, it might be time to review Antivirus settings. |
1. Restart Your Computer
Sometimes the most significant issues can be resolved with basic troubleshooting steps. If you can’t seem to install programs on your Windows 10 PC, a simple reboot might trick you. You should make it a point to restart your computer once a day, as it helps speed up the performance, prevent memory leaks and fix any software glitches.
2. Check Your App Installer Settings
Two kinds of apps are there on your Windows 10 computer – (1) Traditional apps preinstalled on your computer and (2) third-party apps that you download from the Microsoft Store or other websites. Specific settings stop you from installing apps from anywhere else other than the Microsoft Store. This is quite possibly why Windows 10 won’t let you install anything. To rectify this –
1. Go to Settings by pressing the Windows + I key combination.
2. Click on Apps
3. From the left-hand side, click on Apps & features.
4. From the right-hand side, click on the dropdown that says Choose where to get apps and select any options that begin with Anywhere (including Anywhere itself).
3. Free-Up Disk Space
Some applications take up disk space on your Windows 10 PC. And, even though small-sized apps may hardly create any issues, the bigger apps may create problems during installation if they don’t get the required disk storage space. If you are running out of disk space, we have your back.
4. Turn Off The UAC Control
The UAC control helps ward off unauthorized changes to your computer and keeps you updated on when an application will make administrative-level changes or any changes that may critically affect the security of your computer. However, in our case, it could be that the UAC control has gone a little too far, and it is stopping you from installing apps on your computer. In such a case (and to resolve this issue), disable UAC for once, and here are the steps for the same –
1. In the Windows search box, type UAC and click on open from the right-hand side.
2. Turn off UAC by dragging the slider to Never notify.
3. Click on OK
We highly recommend that you switch the UAC slider back to Always Notify after you have been able to resolve the issue.
5. Take Aid of a Third-Party Tool
While you try to fix the issue, you can take the aid of a third-party tool that may help you get the essential software you need onboard. One such tool is Systweak Software Updater. It is primarily intended to identify and fetch updates crucial for various applications on your computer. However, it also has a module that shows you recommended software that you can install on your computer.
To know more about this beautiful tool, check out this comprehensive review.
6. Run Windows 10 Troubleshooters
If the above fixes don’t seem to have resolved the issue for you, give Windows 10 a chance to help. There are specific Windows 10 troubleshooters capable of fixing common issues, one of which might stop from installing anything on your Windows 10 computer. Follow the steps mentioned below –
1. Go to Settings by pressing the Windows + I key combination.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. From the left-hand side, click on Troubleshoot.
4. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
5. Under Additional troubleshooters, locate Program Compatibility Troubleshooter and click on the Run the troubleshooter button. If any issue is detected, the tool will return on-screen steps to resolve the issue.
In case this doesn’t help and if your computer still doesn’t install anything, run the below-mentioned troubleshooters as well –
- Windows Store apps
- Windows Updates
- Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooters
7. Review Antivirus Settings
While not a very common scenario, Antivirus applications may go a little overboard with malware detection. For instance, they may stop legitimate programs from accessing important folders during installation, which could be why you cannot install programs on your Windows 10 PC. In that case, you can try disabling your Antivirus, for example, Windows Defender, on your Windows 10 PC.
Bonus Point
Check Security Settings
You could also turn on the developer’s mode and then try installing the app you want. But, here we’ll urge you to be absolutely sure that the app you is safe to install. Here are the steps –
- Log into Windows. You must be logged in as an administrator.
- Open Settings by pressing the Windows + I key combination.
- Click on Update & Security.
- from the left-hand side, click on For developers.
- From the right-hand side, toggle on the Developer Mode switch.
- Review the prompt and click on Yes.
Wrapping Up
Not being able to install the applications you want on Windows 10 PC can be very frustrating, especially when you need them the most. Hope by trying the steps mentioned above; you can install applications on Windows 10. If yes, let us know which of the above solutions worked out for you. For more such updates, keep reading WeTheGeek.