What does "This app can't run on your PC" mean?

Ask Mini NOVA, then match the program to the PC

The dialog is vague on purpose. It does not say whether the file is the wrong build, an older program, or a damaged download. Mini NOVA can explain the dialog you leave open. It does not inspect the program file itself.

1. Leave the error on screen. Keep the message, the formula bar, or the settings page in view. Mini NOVA captures the screen when you submit the question, so scroll until the error and a little of the window around it are visible.
2. Press Insert and type your question. Press Insert, then type what you want to know. Mini NOVA sees that screen and guides you step by step. You make the click. There is no server or browser extension to set up, and no Microsoft 365 plan is needed.
3. Change one thing, then look again. You make the change. If the error is still there, ask a follow-up with the new screen visible. Mini NOVA remembers the conversation context. There is no chat history list.
4. Read the dialog, then note your system type. The message tells you to check with the software publisher for a version for your PC. Before you do that, open Start, then Settings, then System, then About. Under Device specifications, System type shows the operating system and the processor. Microsoft says Windows 11 is 64-bit only. An ARM PC lists an ARM based processor there. Write down that line so you can ask the publisher for a build that matches it.
5. Get the program again from the publisher. If you downloaded the app outside the Microsoft Store, Microsoft's compatibility guide says to check the publisher's website for a version that works with your Windows. For a Store app, check for an update in the Microsoft Store. Do not replace the file with a copy from a download site you do not trust. A file that was only partly downloaded can also fail to start, so a fresh copy from the publisher is the check.
6. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter for an older app. Microsoft's guide for older apps says you might see a message such as "This app or game can't run on your device" after a Windows upgrade. If the publisher has no newer version, open Start, then Settings, then System, then Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters, and run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. Follow the prompts. That troubleshooter is for an older program. It does not turn a program built for a different kind of PC into one your PC can run.

A missing DLL is a different dialog

If the message names MSVCP140.dll, follow that page: reinstall the program or install Microsoft's Visual C++ Redistributable. A printer that Windows has marked offline is covered under printer offline. For any other wording, leave that dialog open and use the error messages guide.

Sources

Checked on 9 Oct 2026. Support pages change, so open the source before you rely on a step. Mini NOVA is not affiliated with Microsoft. Questions about the account itself go to admin@deskwithnova.com.

• Make older apps compatible with the latest Windows (Microsoft Support)
• 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions (Microsoft Support)
• Install Mini NOVA on Windows, including the SmartScreen prompt

FAQ