Some Windows 11/10 users report that they can’t install third-party apps since the “Choose where to get apps” feature is missing. If you also come across the issue, this post from MiniTool is what you need.

Some users report that they meet the “Choose where to get apps is missing” issue. This “Choose where to get apps” feature on Windows 11/10 is designed to provide control over where applications are installed, preventing the installation of potentially harmful or unwanted software.

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On Windows 11, you can go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings to find the Choose where to get apps feature. On Windows 10, you can go to Settings > App & features to find the Choose where to get apps feature.

Then, you can see the following 4 options in the below image:

Choose where to get apps

However, some Windows 11/10 users report the “Choose where to get apps is missing” issue. Then, the following part introduces how to fix the issue.

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Windows 11 Apps Not Opening/Working! Here Are the Fixes

If your Windows 11 apps are not opening or working, do you know how to solve the issues? This post shows you some easy and effective solutions.

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Fix 1: Turn off S Mode

S mode improves security and performance while giving you the same Windows experience. However, you cannot install third-party applications on your device in this mode. Thus, if you’re using Windows 11/10 in S mode, the “choose where to get apps missing” issue may appear in Windows 11/10. You can try to turn off S mode.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

Step 2: For Windows 11 users, go to System > Activation. For Windows 10 users, go to Update & security > Activation.

go to the Activation page
Tips:
According to your Windows version, you will see the Switch to Windows 11 Home or Switch to Windows 11 Pro section.

Step 3: Click the Go to the Store button to continue.

Step 4: Then you will be taken to the Switch out of S mode page. You can turn off S mode by clicking the Get button.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instruction to finish the process.

Fix 2: Use Registry Editor

If your Windows 11/10 is not in the S mode and the “Choose where to get apps is missing” issue still appears, you can fix it via Registry Editor.

Note:
This issue is not suitable for Windows 11/10 Home users.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit.msc and press OK to open Registry Editor.

Step 2: Go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen

Step 3: Find the following two values and right-click them one by one to choose Delete.

  • ConfigureAppInstallControl
  • ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled
delete the values

Fix 3: Use Local Group Policy

Local Group Policy can also help you fix the “Choose where to get apps is missing” issue on Windows 11/10. You need to notice that this method is not fit for Windows 11/10 Home users either.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and press OK to open the Group Policy Editor window.

Step 2: Go to the following location: 

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender SmartScreen > Explorer

Step 3: Find Configure app install control from the right side. Double-click it to choose Not Configured. Click Apply and OK.

Tips:
For Windows 11/10 Home users, you can also try to reset Microsoft Store and run an SFC scan to fix the "Choose where to get apps is missing" issue.

Final Words

This post provides some ways to get rid of the “Choose where to get apps is missing on Windows 11/10” issue. You can try them to fix the issue.

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About The Author

Daisy
Daisy

Position: Columnist

Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.