Kinds of APPREF-MS Files

Leading APPREF-MS Type

.APPREF-MS

File Format:	.appref-ms
File Type:	Microsoft Application Reference File

Reference file associated with ClickOnce, a Microsoft platform used to deploy and run remote Web applications. APPREF-MS file contains a local or remote link to an application. It enables links from the Windows Start Menu.

Author:	Microsoft Corporation
File Category:	Settings Files
Folder:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.appref-ms

Software Programs That Open The Microsoft Application Reference File:

Microsoft ClickOnce by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

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Sources of APPREF-MS Problems

Common APPREF-MS Opening Problems

Missing Microsoft ClickOnce

You encounter an error message such as "- Can't Open APPREF-MS Files" when trying to open your APPREF-MS. Usually, this is because you do not have Microsoft ClickOnce for - installed. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the APPREF-MS file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.

Tip: Another APPREF-MS-related program can be selected to open the file by clicking "Show Apps" and finding the application.

Microsoft ClickOnce Requires Update

Sometimes your installed version of Microsoft ClickOnce won't support your Microsoft Application Reference File file. Download the latest Microsoft ClickOnce version from the Microsoft Corporation website to ensure you have the correct one installed. This issue mainly occurs when your Microsoft Application Reference File file was created by a newer version of Microsoft ClickOnce than you have on your PC.

Tip: Find clues on the correct software version by right-clicking your APPREF-MS file and clicking "Properties".

Ultimately, most of the difficulties opening APPREF-MS files are due to having the wrong version of Microsoft ClickOnce installed.

Other APPREF-MS File Opening Causes

Even with the correct version of Microsoft ClickOnce installed, you can still experience difficulties opening APPREF-MSs. If you are still having problems opening APPREF-MS files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. These issues include:

• Corrupt Windows Registry file path references for APPREF-MS
• Unintentional removal of the description of the APPREF-MS file inside the Windows Registry
• Corrupt install of Microsoft ClickOnce or other APPREF-MS-related program
• Your APPREF-MS file is corrupted (issues with your Microsoft Application Reference File file itself)
• APPREF-MS file integrity has been compromised by malware
• Hardware related to APPREF-MSs has device driver corruption
• Windows has inadequate resources to open your Microsoft Application Reference File file