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This App can’t be Activated When UAC is Disabled: How to Fix
You can fix this quickly by tweaking the necessary registry value
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Some users have stated that This app can’t be activated whenUACis disabled error message pops up when they try to open images and other files with UWP apps.
Consequently, the users can’t open their images with the default Photos app in Windows 10. Does the same error message pop up when you open Windows apps? If so, check out the potential fixes below.
What do I do if UAC prevents app activation?
1. Turn On User Account Control
The error message states the app can’t be activated when UAC is disabled, which is a clear enough hint that the issue pertains toUser Account Control settings. So turning User Account Control back on is the most probable fix for the error message.
2. Enable the User Account Control Group Policy Setting
3. Adjust the EnableLUA DWORD Value
In some cases, the app can’t be activated because UAC is disabled option can be because the feature is deactivated in your Registry. You can fix this by changing the value, as shown above.
4. Reset the MS Store app
Resetting the MS Store app can often fix numerous app error messages, so that resolution is worth a shot when UWP apps don’t open.
5. Open Your Files With Alternative Desktop Software
This isn’t really a fix, but remember that you can still open images, and other file types, with software that aren’t UWP apps.
This app can’t be activated whenUACis disabled error message only pops up for UWP apps. So instead of trying to open images with Photos, open them with an alternative non-UWP software such asFastStone Image Vieweror Paint.NET.
So that’s how you can get the This app can’t be activated whenUACis disabled error fixed in Windows to kick-start apps.
Turning theUACback on will usually fix the error message. In addition,resetting Windows to defaultsettings with a factory reset, as covered in this post, might also reactivate your apps.
Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
