Windows 11 is prone to errors, like every other Windows version that came before it. One specific error that prevents the users from using any application on Windows 11 is the app error 0xc0000135.

This error typically shows up right after the user upgrades to the new Windows version and stops installed applications from launching properly or at all.

In this guide, we will look at some effective troubleshooting methods that fixed this issue for the users. There can be quite a few causes behind it, so we recommend you go through the methods first to identify the potential culprit in your case and then proceed with the appropriate steps.

1. Re-enable .NET Framework 3.5 and Windows Communication Foundation

If you started encountering this issue after installing the KB5012643 update, the error is most likely occurring because the .NET Framework 3.5 is disabled in optional features.

The apps in question typically try to use features of .NET Framework 3.5 (like Windows Communication Foundation), and if they can't, you're faced with the error. Fortunately, the fix is easy as all that you need to do is re-enable .NET Framework 3.5 and Windows Communication Foundation via Control Panel.

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Type Windows Features in Windows search and click Open. This should launch the Turn Windows features on or off dialog box on your screen.
  2. Locate .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) in the dialog and checkmark the box associated with it.
    WIndows features dialog
  3. Expand the same and checkmark boxes for Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation and Windows Communication Foundation Non-HTTP Activation.
    Windows features dialog
  4. Click OK to save the changes and proceed with rebooting your PC if prompted.

Upon reboot, check if you can launch and use the targeted applications now. In case you do not want to go through the lengthy steps of enabling this feature, you can use the Command Prompt to execute a few relevant commands that would provide the same results.

Make sure you are logged into your PC as an administrator, and then follow the steps below:

  1. Type cmd in Windows search and click Run as administrator.
  2. Select Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
    Choose Yes in the Confirmation prompt
  3. Inside the Command Prompt, type the commands mentioned below one by one and click Enter after each to execute them.
    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:netfx3 /all
    Command in Command Prompt
    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:WCF-HTTP-Activation
    Enabling feature command
    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:WCF-NonHTTP-Activation
    Enabling feature command
  4. Once the commands are executed, restart your PC and check if the apps launch without any problems now.

2. Run Windows Apps Troubleshooter

Microsoft equips all the latest Windows versions with a set of troubleshooting utilities that can help you fix most, if not all, basic to intermediate-level issues. For any app-related issues, Windows has the Windows Apps troubleshooter that you can find in Windows Settings.

This troubleshooter will scan your system for potential issues that might be preventing the applications from launching or working properly. If, after a scan, the troubleshooter finds an issue, it will recommend fixes that you can apply with a single click.

Follow these steps to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter if Method 1 does not work for you:

  1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
  2. Choose System from the left pane and click on Troubleshooters on the right side of the window.
    Troubleshoot settings
  3. Click on Other troubleshooters.
    Other troubleshooter in Windows
  4. In the following window, look for Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and hit the Run button associated with it.
    Run button for the troubleshooter
  5. After the troubleshooter has performed its initial scan, it will present you with available fixes if any potential issues are present. In that case, click on Apply this fix.

Once the troubleshooter has applied the fix, try launching the app you previously tried and see if you can use it now.

3. Reset Windows Store Through Command Prompt

You can also resolve issues related to the Windows Store apps by resetting the Windows Store. This will also clear up the Windows Store cache, hopefully resolving the error in the process.

Follow these steps to proceed:

  1. Open Command Prompt, type the command mentioned below and click Enter to execute it.
    WSreset.exe
    Reset Store command
  2. The command might take a while to execute, so hang in there. Once finished, close Command Prompt and check if the problem is fixed.

You can also reset the Windows Store via Windows Settings if you are not comfortable using Command Prompt.

4. Re-Register Store Apps

If you are sure that the Store applications are causing the issue and not the system, you can also attempt to re-register the Store apps to resolve the issue. For this purpose, we will be using Windows Powershell, which works almost the same as Command Prompt.

Here is what you need to do:

  1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar and choose Windows Powershell (Admin).
    Windows Terminal (Admin)
  2. Type the command mentioned below in Powershell and click Enter to execute it.
    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
    Powershell command

Once done, restart your PC and see if it did the trick for you.

5. Uninstall the Update

As we mentioned in the beginning, the issue at hand is most likely to be caused by the KB5012643 update. If you too started encountering it after installing this update and the troubleshooting methods above have not worked for you, you can uninstall the update to eliminate the root of the problem.

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Launch Windows Settings and choose Windows Update from the left pane.
  2. Click on Advanced options.
    Lauch additional options in Windows Update
  3. In the following window, head to the Related settings section and click on Uninstall updates.
    Uninstall updates option
  4. Locate KB5012643 or KB5013943 and click on the Uninstall button with it.
    Uninstall an update
  5. Click Yes and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
    Confirm to uninstall the update

Once you have fixed the error, we suggest enabling the System Restore feature and creating a restore point. This will help you revert to the current working state if anything goes wrong in the future.

Windows App Error 0xc0000135, Fixed

Getting started with Windows 11 should be an exciting experience. The troubleshooting methods above will ensure that the Windows app error 0xc0000135 does not ruin this experience for you. To avoid any such issues in the future, make sure you install the latest system updates regularly.