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Missing pwahelper.exe in Microsoft Edge

Quang Anh Nông 160 Reputation points
2024-04-21T15:16:28.1433333+00:00

I am having an issue with Microsoft Edge. Whenever I try to download a site as an app, a box pops up saying:

"[Window Title] C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_124.0.2478.51_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe\pwahelper.exe [Content] Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_124.0.2478.51_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe\pwahelper.exe'. Make sure you've typed the name correctly, then try again. [OK]"

After this, I am unable to use the app, even though the website works normally. I am not sure what this file is or why it is missing. I have tried reinstalling Edge and running several scans on Windows, but it still doesn't work. Can anyone help me solve this issue?

Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Edge development

6 answers

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  1. Dana Thompson 50 Reputation points
    2024-05-17T12:29:27.3+00:00

    This may help some with this error. In Apps & features, I had 2 listings for Microsoft Edge, one of which was greyed out. I ran Modify | Repair on the "good" one with no apparent change. I then uninstalled the greyed out version. The missing pwahelper.exe error has stopped and the Edge apps are working again.

    10 people found this answer helpful.
  2. sameer yadav 5 Reputation points
    2025-07-12T09:50:19.13+00:00

    Go to the path below.
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\138.0.3351.65\pwahelper.exe"

    You'll find an exe file, copy this file and pate it at the path given below.

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application

    Try to reopen the app you wanted to. You're issue will be resolved.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Tatiana LECLERCQ 5 Reputation points
    2025-06-08T14:31:52.1833333+00:00

    Hello, I just had the same issue today but I managed to fix it.

    1. Uninstall Microsoft Edge from the Apps in my computer
    2. Download the app from https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/edge/download?form=MA13FJ (on this page if it shows that "Miscrosoft Edge is already installed on your computer", click on the hyperlink below "Open Microsoft Edge" to download the file anyway)
    3. Open the file and let it install itself
    4. It works! :)

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  4. Quang Anh Nông 160 Reputation points
    2024-04-24T08:40:30.1966667+00:00

    Problem solved, thank you for your best answer, it really helpful and I appreciate it.

  5. Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,200 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2024-04-22T05:43:36.94+00:00

    Hi @Quang Anh Nông，

    I tested the "Install this site as an app" feature in Edge on my own device. Everything worked fine here and the issue you mentioned did not occur. Firstly, I suggest that you can try some basic Troubleshooting to see if the feature can work:

    1. You can try to clear your browser data and reapply this feature.
    2. You can also try to install other sites to see if the same error occurs.

    In addition, you can use the "WebAppInstallForceList" policy to force Install a site as an app. Please note that this policy does not allow users to uninstall or turn off installed apps.

    If the above solutions still don't make this feature work, I suggest you should press "Alt+Shift+I" to submit feedback in Edge.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Best regards,

    Jinxin Wang

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