How to Fix “Get an App to Open This ms-cortana2 Link” Error in Windows 10/11 – A Technical and Comprehensive Guide

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Introduction

The error message “Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link” typically appears on Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems when the operating system tries to launch a Cortana deep link (a URI scheme starting with ms-cortana2:), but the required application is either missing, misconfigured, or disabled. This issue can occur during system updates, after removing Cortana via Group Policy or PowerShell, or when third-party apps interfere with default protocol handlers.

This article provides a detailed and professional explanation of:

• What causes the ms-cortana2 link error
• How Windows handles URI schemes and app associations
• Step-by-step troubleshooting methods for resolving the issue
• Advanced solutions for IT administrators and enterprise environments

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🔍 Understanding the ms-cortana2 Protocol

What Is the ms-cortana2 URI Scheme?

The ms-cortana2 URI scheme is used internally by Windows to launch specific features or pages within the Cortana application. It is part of Microsoft’s broader URI scheme handling system, which allows apps to register themselves as handlers for certain types of links.

For example:

ms-cortana2://search?query=weather%20in%20Seattle

When this type of link is triggered — often from system components like Taskbar shortcuts, Settings, or Voice Assistant integrations — Windows attempts to launch Cortana using the registered handler.

If Cortana is not available or not set as the default handler, Windows displays the prompt:

“Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link.”

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⚠️ Common Causes of the Error

Cause	Description
Missing Cortana Installation	Cortana was removed via PowerShell or registry edits.
Default App Association Missing	No application is registered to handle ms-cortana2 URIs.
Corrupted App Registration	Cortana’s registration in the Windows App Store may be damaged.
Policy Restrictions	Group Policies or MDM profiles have disabled Cortana or related services.
Third-Party Interference	Some applications or utilities override system-wide URI handlers.

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✅ Step-by-Step Solutions

🛠 Solution 1: Reinstall Cortana Using PowerShell

Cortana is no longer included by default in newer Windows versions, especially post-2023. If it was uninstalled or removed, you must reinstall it manually.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
2. Run the following command to check if Cortana is installed:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10

3. If not present, download and install the latest Cortana AppX package from the Microsoft Store or via sideloading.
4. Alternatively, use the following command to re-register Cortana (if still present):

   Add-AppxPackage -Register "$env:SystemRoot\SystemApps\Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_cw5n1h2txyewy\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

💡 Note: The exact AppUserModelID may vary depending on your OS build and language version.

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🧩 Solution 2: Reset Cortana’s App Registration

Even if Cortana is installed, its internal registration might be corrupted.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
2. Run the following commands:

$package = Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10
Add-AppxPackage -Register "$($package.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

This will re-register Cortana’s app manifest and restore its ability to handle ms-cortana2 URIs.

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📋 Solution 3: Repair Default App Associations

If Cortana is installed but not recognized as the handler for ms-cortana2, the file association needs to be reset.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps
2. Scroll down and click Choose default apps by protocol
3. Search for ms-cortana2
4. Click the current handler (may show as “Unknown”) and select Cortana from the list

If Cortana doesn’t appear, try reinstalling it first.

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🧪 Solution 4: Use DISM & SFC to Repair System Files

System file corruption may prevent proper functioning of URI handlers.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run:

   sfc /scannow

3. Then run:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These tools scan and repair core Windows system files that could affect app functionality.

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🧰 Solution 5: Check Group Policy Settings

In managed environments, Group Policies may disable Cortana entirely.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search

3. Look for policies like:

• Allow Cortana
• Do not allow web search
• Configure Windows Search settings

3. Ensure these are set to Not Configured or Enabled, depending on your environment.

⚠️ For domain-joined machines, changes may need to be pushed through Active Directory.

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🧬 Solution 6: Modify Registry (Advanced)

You can manually edit the registry to ensure the correct application is registered to handle the ms-cortana2 protocol.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ms-cortana2

3. Ensure the (Default) value is set to:

   CortanaURL

4. Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CortanaURL\shell\open\command, verify the path points to a valid Cortana executable or launcher.

⚠️ Always back up the registry before making changes.

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📝 Additional Tips

• Use Process Monitor (from Sysinternals Suite) to trace why the ms-cortana2 link fails to launch.
• Check Event Viewer: Look under Windows Logs > Application for errors related to Application Error or SideBySide events involving Cortana.
• Alternative Assistants: If Cortana is permanently removed and not needed, consider replacing it with another assistant like Windows Voice Access, Google Assistant, or custom scripts.

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📊 Comparison Table: Tools & Methods

Method	Difficulty	Applies To	Effectiveness
Reinstall Cortana	Medium	All Users	High
Re-register App Manifest	Medium	Tech-Savvy	High
Set Default Protocol Handler	Easy	All Users	Medium-High
SFC / DISM Scan	Medium	System-Level Issues	High
Group Policy Edit	Advanced	Admins / Enterprises	High
Registry Edits	Expert	Advanced Users	Very High

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✅ Conclusion

The “Get an app to open this ms-cortana2 link” error stems from Windows’ inability to locate or execute the appropriate handler for the ms-cortana2 URI scheme — most commonly due to Cortana being missing or misconfigured. By understanding how Windows manages URI protocols and app registrations, users can effectively diagnose and resolve this issue using a combination of PowerShell, system file checks, registry edits, and policy adjustments.

Whether you’re a home user trying to fix a broken shortcut or an IT administrator managing a fleet of devices, this guide offers both beginner-friendly and advanced techniques to restore full functionality and eliminate disruptive error messages.

With proper configuration, Windows can once again seamlessly handle deep links into Cortana or other voice assistants, ensuring a smooth and integrated user experience.