How to Fix Windows Applications Like Edge when they Break

Even with the best testing and implementation practices, software applications can fail. Multiple variations of hardware platforms, software versions and third-party software can all add to the likelihood something will at some point fail to function normally. When this happens, trying to find everything that is going wrong and find the root cause of those issues takes time which is an invaluable resource.

Luckily, there is a way to fix built-in components and applications like Microsoft Edge when problems arise. Microsoft Edge, in particular, is especially tricky because you need to be able to get on the Internet to download another web browser like Firefox or Chrome. This is why it is always a good idea to download a secondary browser while things are working fine.

How to Fix Windows when Programs Like Edge Break

It is important to note you must be logged in with an account that has administrative privileges to be able to run the commands that will fix the application issues. NOTE: If you are logged in as an administrator and the first command fails to run, close the command window. Search for "cmd" a second time but right click on the result and select "run as administrator" in the pop-up window.

• First, make sure the device has access to the Internet.
• Then, open a command window by typing "cmd" in search.
• At the prompt, type "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth".
  
  
  
• DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management repair tool. It's purpose is to maintain the local copy of Windows source files which are used when Windows Programs and Features are added.
• As this process runs it repairs the local Windows image using Windows update to download and replace any necessary files.
  
  
  
• Once the first process finishes, type "sfc /scannow" in the command window. This process scans for corrupt Windows files and replaces them with files from the local Windows image updated in the first step.
  
  
  
• Reboot the machine.
• Open the applications that were previously having issues to verify they are working normally again.

Windows applications can be affected by updates, third-party software and hardware updates which may cause them to fail. When this happens, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management repair tool to fix any corruption to the Windows image. This can then be used to fix Windows applications. This two-step process can take up to a half hour, but is simple to run. Be sure to run the commands using an administrator account, and make sure the device is connected to the Internet before beginning. 

As always, things work fine until they don't. The most important thing is to reduce the amount of time and energy spent fixing common issues that can prevent us from accomplishing everyday tasks.

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