How to Fix Win32Bridge Server Problem, Incorrect Function in Windows 10 Settings

Fixing the Win32Bridge Server Incorrect Function Error on Windows 10

As Windows users, we’ve all encountered our fair share of puzzling error messages. One error that can seem particularly cryptic is the "Win32Bridge.Server.exe – Incorrect Function" popup. This error is related to Cortana and can cause slowdowns, crashes, and other issues with your Windows 10 system.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the top solutions for resolving the Win32Bridge server error, drawing on fixes recommended by experts across tech forums. Follow along to get your PC back up and running smoothly.

What Causes the Win32Bridge Server Error?

Win32Bridge.Server.exe is a background process in Windows 10 and 11 that helps run and manage the Cortana voice assistant. It ensures compatibility between the newer Cortana app and older, Win32-based programs.

If Win32Bridge runs into problems, it can display error messages like "Incorrect Function" and negatively impact Cortana. This ends up affecting the whole system, with possible symptoms including:

Why am I getting a problem if I modify the registry?

This issue occurs because the registry entry for the status value of application’s corresponding package was modified. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system.

Why do Group Policy settings and registry settings keep reverting?

Several reasons can prevent Group Policy settings and Registry settings from staying applied. Here are some of the most common ones: Problem with the user account: your user profile might be misconfigured or corrupt. There is a chance that it does not have sufficient permissions to save the changes, causing them to revert.

• Slow startup or shutdown
• System freezes or crashes
• Cortana not working
• Problems opening apps or files

So what causes Win32Bridge to malfunction in the first place? Potential culprits include:

• Corrupted system files or registry entries
• Outdated or incompatible drivers
• Software conflicts with antivirus programs
• Buggy Windows updates
• Too many background apps running

To get your PC running smoothly again, you need to troubleshoot and fix the underlying Win32Bridge problem. Let’s look at some of the top solutions.

1. Repair or Reset Cortana

Since the Win32Bridge error is linked to Cortana’s operation, one fix is to repair or reset Cortana itself. This refreshes the app and can clear up any bugs or inconsistencies.

To reset Cortana:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Cortana."
2. Select the Cortana app from the search results.
3. In the Cortana settings, scroll down and click "Permissions."
4. Toggle the "Let Cortana respond to ‘Hey Cortana’" option off and then back on.
5. Click "Restore Default Settings" to reset Cortana.

This quick reset often resolves common Win32Bridge errors. If you continue getting the error message though, move down to the next solutions.

How do I fix Windows 10 settings not opening?

If the Settings app still refuses to open or quits automatically upon launch, you must check for and fix corrupted system files in Windows 10. You can use the System File Checker command-line utility to help you with that. 1. Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console. 2. Type in the following command: 3. Press Enter.

How do I fix the error box on Windows 10?

Try this 1st : Click Start => Settings => Apps & Features => Click Cortana => Advanced Options => Reset => Reset. It worked for me to get rid of the error box message => Restart your computer, I actually shut mine down & put it back on. 2. Try this : In Windows PowerShell => Run this Command through it for your system:

2. Uninstall Cortana

If resetting Cortana doesn’t work, the next step is removing Cortana completely. Since Win32Bridge’s sole purpose is managing Cortana, this cuts out the source of the problem.

To uninstall Cortana:

1. Open the Start menu and click the gear icon to open Settings.
2. Click "Apps."
3. Find Cortana in the list of installed apps.
4. Select Cortana and click "Uninstall."

With Cortana removed, Win32Bridge won’t activate and the error messages should stop. Just keep in mind you’ll lose Cortana’s voice assistant features.

3. Check for Corruption with SFC and DISM

Corrupted system files are a common cause of the Win32Bridge error. To check for corruption:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
2. Type "SFC /scannow" and hit Enter to scan system files.
3. Once finished, type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" to repair files.

This scans and restores corrupted Windows files that could be affecting Win32Bridge.

4. Reset Cortana Through Registry Editor

You can also reset Cortana through a Registry tweak. This resets Cortana’s settings and can fix the Win32Bridge error.

Are there any problems with Windows 10?

Windows has its fair share of problems like other operating systems. However, with the introduction of Windows 10 and its new features; many new problems have surfaced as well. I upgraded directly to Windows 10 from Windows 7, so I was quite surprised when I had to deal with a bunch of new problems that were not in Windows 7.

What are the common Windows Error messages?

There are several variants of the error message and the following are the common ones: Windows cannot find ‘C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2101.15643.0_x64_…\Win32Bridge.Server.exe’. C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2101.15643.0_x64_…\Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function.

To reset Cortana in the Registry:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "regedit".
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. Find the key named "CortanaEnabled" and set its value to 0.
4. Exit out and restart your PC.
5. Return to the same key and reset "CortanaEnabled" to 1 to re-enable it.

5. Log Off and Log Back In

One simple solution is logging out and back into your Windows user account. This restarts processes like Win32Bridge and can clear up temporary glitches.

Reset Windows as a Last Resort

If you still see the "Win32Bridge.Server.exe – Incorrect Function" error after trying these fixes, the nuclear option is resetting Windows. Back up your data first, then:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Under "Reset this PC," click Get Started.
3. Choose "Keep my files" to reinstall Windows while preserving your data.

This will remove apps and settings but retains your personal files. It’s an inconvenient but effective way to eliminate stubborn Win32Bridge errors.

How to change registry settings Windows 10?

If your files, apps, and settings can’t be kept because of the unsupported directory or current version of Windows, you can try to change registry settings by following these instructions. Step 1: Run the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and clicking OK.

Why is Windows 10 not updating?

This is actually a recurring problem in Windows 10 where apps from Microsoft Store either stop updating or don’t install at all. Thankfully, in most cases, it can be fixed using the automatic troubleshooter built into Windows 10. Let’s see how to access and use it. From the Windows 10 Settings , click on Update & Security.

Do I need a restart if I edit Windows 10?

Some edits may require a Windows restart to take effect. If necessary, you can restore your Registry backup. Keep track of your edits so you can return them to their original value if desired. If you make multiple unsatisfactory edits, you may want to restore your entire Registry backup rather than correct each edit.

Get Your PC Running Smoothly

Debugging obscure errors like the Win32Bridge Incorrect Function popup can be frustrating. With the right troubleshooting though, you can get Windows 10 back up to speed. Follow the solutions outlined here to resolve the problem at its source and enjoy a fully functional computer once again.

What other tips have you used to fix the Win32Bridge server error? Share your experiences in the comments below!

References

1. https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/fix-win32bridge-server-exe-incorrect-function-error/
2. https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/win32bridge-server-exe-error.html

What if I modify the registry incorrectly?

However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. Refer the article How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

How do I fix a bad app on Windows 10?

Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Select the More icon next to the app you want to fix. Select the Advanced options link under the name of the app (some apps don’t have this option). On the page that opens, select Repair if it’s available. If it isn’t available or doesn’t fix the problem, select Reset.