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Dunkit Sep 25, 2022 @ 5:38pm
[SOLVED] After updating Steam Client: "This app can't run on your PC"
Hi,

after being forced to update the steam client today (which worked perfectly), I now cannot start it any more. Instead it just gives me a nice blue windows box saying "this app can't run on your PC".

Is this a known issue with the newest update?

What I've tried so far
- Let the steam.exe run in compatibility mode -> no luck
- Download the steam client again, re-installed it in the same directory -> no luck

Any hints?!

Sorry, I forgot to mention: OS is Win 10.
Last edited by Dunkit; Oct 16, 2022 @ 4:29pm

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Showing 1-11 of 11 comments
quackk720 Sep 25, 2022 @ 6:02pm 
Yeah, same boat here. I'm in here trying to figure this out too. I originally wasn't able to open the client or any games with windows saying that it was being blocked because "Steam.exe" IS a virus. Didn't make any sense. I uninstalled steam along with all games. Tried reinstalling, went through the whole download and update, but now I'm getting that, "This app cant run on your PC" message. Tried uninstall and reinstalling but nothing works. Noticed that after uninstall, the leftover steam folder is still in the Program Files 64 folder but wont even let me delete it.

I have no idea what to do anymore. Don't really want to reformat my whole PC, but I'm completely at a loss.
#1
Carlos100 Sep 25, 2022 @ 6:20pm 
Why do people uninstall and delete stuff when an update fails?
Its always fixed once they know and all you do is cause grief to yourself instead of just waiting..........
#2
Dunkit Sep 26, 2022 @ 5:01am 
@Carlos100: The thing is: We can't start the steam client any more, hence we won't be able to automatically update it anyway ;)
And if you simply re-install it in the same folder, nothing is lost...

Secondly, who knows WHEN they will fix it. There's always a chance someone had the issue before and knows at least a workaround.

Now, back to the actually helpful hints please :)
#3
Dunkit Sep 26, 2022 @ 5:05am 
Originally posted by quackk720:
Yeah, same boat here. I'm in here trying to figure this out too. I originally wasn't able to open the client or any games with windows saying that it was being blocked because "Steam.exe" IS a virus. Didn't make any sense. I uninstalled steam along with all games. Tried reinstalling, went through the whole download and update, but now I'm getting that, "This app cant run on your PC" message. Tried uninstall and reinstalling but nothing works. Noticed that after uninstall, the leftover steam folder is still in the Program Files 64 folder but wont even let me delete it.

I have no idea what to do anymore. Don't really want to reformat my whole PC, but I'm completely at a loss.

I have opened a support ticket and will let you know about the result here.
#4
ChristOurLife Sep 26, 2022 @ 8:42pm 
Maybe it only supports x64 bit now, I am having no problems...
BTW: Protected file folders on MSD was not doing anything but didn't like steam so I had to whitelist steam. Try that.
#5
Evan Exa Sep 29, 2022 @ 11:54pm 
Im having the same exact problem as of today
#6
Evan Exa Sep 30, 2022 @ 3:12pm 
Originally posted by Dunkit:
Hi,

after being forced to update the steam client today (which worked perfectly), I now cannot start it any more. Instead it just gives me a nice blue windows box saying "this app can't run on your PC".

Is this a known issue with the newest update?

What I've tried so far
- Let the steam.exe run in compatibility mode -> no luck
- Download the steam client again, re-installed it in the same directory -> no luck

Any hints?!

Sorry, I forgot to mention: OS is Win 10.

I managed to fix this issue by using System Restore to roll back my system to a Restore Point from a week ago and Steam started working fine for me.
Last edited by Evan Exa; Sep 30, 2022 @ 3:13pm
#7
Dunkit Oct 3, 2022 @ 8:43am 
I am running a 64bit Windows version, so while the error message indicates that is the problem, it shouldn't...

Steam support asked me for the msinfo file (https://help.steampowered.com/de/faqs/view/2ECB-C36A-06D4-EF28) to investigate this further, which I sent them today.

I guess rolling back to a Restore Point before the issue would work but then, once Steam updates itself again, it's likely to be broken again, isn't it?
Since I don't have time to use Steam that much anyway at the moment, I guess I'll leave it in the broken state for now, let the support figure out what's going on and keep you guys posted...
#8
Iceira Oct 3, 2022 @ 9:10am 
Originally posted by Dunkit:
I am running a 64bit Windows version, so while the error message indicates that is the problem, it shouldn't...

Steam support asked me for the msinfo file (https://help.steampowered.com/de/faqs/view/2ECB-C36A-06D4-EF28) to investigate this further, which I sent them today.

I guess rolling back to a Restore Point before the issue would work but then, once Steam updates itself again, it's likely to be broken again, isn't it?
Since I don't have time to use Steam that much anyway at the moment, I guess I'll leave it in the broken state for now, let the support figure out what's going on and keep you guys posted...

Atleast they start to look at it, so we other dont have to help atm.
do try safe boot mode and see if this is a security issue, or add steam.exe to whitelist to taht antivirus app you have there.

----------------------
off topic ( check system for errors.) and event log viewer why app might have start issue )
DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
chkdsk ( per drive letter )


see this as selftest, more a what if this is part of the problem, and no i dont know why you have the issue at all. ( and why steam want the file you might read though it. ) what if this can help yourself with errors why it might happend. ( you dont need steam help for read own file if you now have a idea, why this happend in the first place. )

gl with it, ask again maybe other helper can give you more info if you need more user help here.
Last edited by Iceira; Oct 3, 2022 @ 9:11am
#9
Dunkit Oct 15, 2022 @ 2:20pm 
I found it myself after Steam said I have a "permission issue" and suggested to contact Microsoft support...

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office quarantined the steam.exe file which for some reason didn't just remove the executable but let to the "This app cannot run on this PC" error.
I un-quarantined the file and it's all good again...
#10
Evan Exa Oct 15, 2022 @ 9:16pm 
Originally posted by Dunkit:
I found it myself after Steam said I have a "permission issue" and suggested to contact Microsoft support...

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office quarantined the steam.exe file which for some reason didn't just remove the executable but let to the "This app cannot run on this PC" error.
I un-quarantined the file and it's all good again...

And what do you know....I had Acronis Cyber Protect running on my system when that happened. Good catch! Great thing to be aware of in the future.
#11
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Date Posted: Sep 25, 2022 @ 5:38pm
Posts: 11
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