Name of the Application Causing the Error

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 123 views

App Won't Start: Troubleshooting Guide for GitHub Desktop

The Problem

Are you experiencing issues with your GitHub Desktop application not starting on your Windows 11 computer? You're not alone. Many users have reported similar problems, and we're here to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to identify and fix the problem, ensuring you can use GitHub Desktop without any hiccups.

Release Version and Operating System

The issue you're experiencing is with GitHub Desktop version 3.4.18 on Windows 11. This version is the latest release, and we'll focus on troubleshooting the specific problem you're facing.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

To help us better understand the issue, please follow these steps to reproduce the behavior:

Download GitHub Desktop: Visit the official GitHub Desktop download page at https://desktop.github.com/download/.
Click Download: Click the download button to download the application.
Open Downloaded File: Open the downloaded file to start the installation process.
App Starts Unpacking: The application will start unpacking, but it will not open.
Nothing Happens: The application will not launch, and you'll be left with a screen displaying the words "unzip files after GitHub Desktop open."

Log Files and Screenshots

We've attached the log file and a screenshot to help us better understand the issue. Please find the following:

Log File: 2025-03-11.desktop.production.log
Screenshot:

Error Details

The error details are as follows:

Name of the Application Causing the Error: GitHubDesktop.exe
Version: 3.4.18.0
Time Signature: 0x6791332d
Name of the Module Causing the Error: GitHubDesktop.exe
Version: 3.4.18.0
Time Signature: 0x6791332d
Exception Code: 0x80000003
Error Offset: 0x0000000006aa1a4b
ID of the Process Causing the Error: 0x28b4
Start Time of the Application Causing the Error: 0x01db92ccf5cd90ad
Path of the Application Causing the Error: C:\nAppDataLocalGitHubDesktop-3.4.18GitHubDesktop.exe
Path of the Module Causing the Error: C:³³³³AppData³³³LocalGitHubDesktopapp-3.4.18GitHubDesktop.exe
Report ID: ff398f16-8c2d-4300-a621-5e290c9ba4ef
Full Name of the Package Causing the Error:
Application ID Relative to the Package Causing the Error:

Additional Context

We've received no additional context regarding this issue.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the issue, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check for Conflicting Applications

Conflicting applications can cause issues with GitHub Desktop. Check if any other applications are running in the background and may be interfering with GitHub Desktop. Close any unnecessary applications and try launching GitHub Desktop again.

Step 2: Update GitHub Desktop

Ensure you're running the latest version of GitHub Desktop. If you're not, update to the latest version and try launching the application again.

Step 3: Reinstall GitHub Desktop

If updating GitHub Desktop doesn't resolve the issue, try reinstalling the application. Uninstall GitHub Desktop from your computer, and then download and install the latest version from the official GitHub Desktop download page.

Step 4: Check for System File Corruption

System file corruption can cause issues with applications, including GitHub Desktop. Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and repair any corrupted system files.

Step 5: Reset GitHub Desktop Settings

Resetting GitHub Desktop settings can resolve issues caused by corrupted settings. To reset settings, follow these steps:

Close GitHub Desktop.
Navigate to the GitHub Desktop settings folder: C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\GitHubDesktop
Delete the settings.json file.
Launch GitHub Desktop again.

Conclusion

We've walked you through the troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue with GitHub Desktop not starting on your Windows 11 computer. If you've followed these steps and still encounter issues, please provide additional context and log files to help us better understand the problem. We'll be happy to assist you further.
App Won't Start: Troubleshooting Guide for GitHub Desktop - Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

We've received many questions from users experiencing issues with GitHub Desktop not starting on their Windows 11 computers. Below, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Q: What are the common causes of GitHub Desktop not starting?

A: The common causes of GitHub Desktop not starting include:

Conflicting applications running in the background
Outdated or corrupted GitHub Desktop installation
System file corruption
Corrupted GitHub Desktop settings

Q: How do I check for conflicting applications?

A: To check for conflicting applications, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Click on the "Processes" tab.
Look for any applications that may be interfering with GitHub Desktop.
Close any unnecessary applications.

Q: How do I update GitHub Desktop?

A: To update GitHub Desktop, follow these steps:

Launch GitHub Desktop.
Click on the "Help" menu.
Select "Check for Updates."
If an update is available, click on the "Update" button to download and install the latest version.

Q: How do I reinstall GitHub Desktop?

A: To reinstall GitHub Desktop, follow these steps:

Uninstall GitHub Desktop from your computer.
Download the latest version of GitHub Desktop from the official GitHub Desktop download page.
Install the latest version of GitHub Desktop.

Q: How do I run the System File Checker (SFC) tool?

A: To run the System File Checker (SFC) tool, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
The SFC tool will scan for and repair any corrupted system files.

Q: How do I reset GitHub Desktop settings?

A: To reset GitHub Desktop settings, follow these steps:

Close GitHub Desktop.
Navigate to the GitHub Desktop settings folder: C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\GitHubDesktop
Delete the settings.json file.
Launch GitHub Desktop again.

Q: What if I've tried all the troubleshooting steps and still encounter issues?

A: If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and still encounter issues, please provide additional context and log files to help us better understand the problem. We'll be happy to assist you further.

Q: Can I contact GitHub support for further assistance?

A: Yes, you can contact GitHub support for further assistance. You can submit a support request through the GitHub Desktop support page or contact GitHub support directly through their website.

Conclusion

We hope this Q&A article has helped you troubleshoot and resolve the issue with GitHub Desktop not starting on your Windows 11 computer. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.