Microsoft provides workaround for expired Windows 11 certificate blocking apps from opening

Microsoft has provided an update which can work around a problem if you are unable to open the Snipping Tool, Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing, and Emoji Panel. The problem arises from a digital certificate included in Windows 11 that expired on October 31st 2021. First spotted by Windows Report, Microsoft is suggesting to install Cumulative update (preview) KB5006746 to get around some of the problems caused by the expired certificate.

Microsoft detailed the issue in the following Windows 11 known issues and notifications page:

Starting on November 1, 2021, some users might be unable to open or use certain built-in Windows apps or parts of some built-in apps. This is caused by an issue with a Microsoft digital certificate, which expired October 31, 2021.

The following applications might be affected:

• Snipping Tool

• Accounts page and landing page in the Settings app (S mode only)

• Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing, and Emoji Panel

• Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)

• Getting started and Tips

Workaround: To mitigate the issue with Snipping Tool, use the Print Screen key on your keyboard and paste the screenshot into your document. You can also paste it into Paint to select and copy the section you want.

To mitigate the following issues, install KB5006746 released October 21, 2021. For instructions on how to do this, please see Update Windows:

• Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing and Emoji Panel

• Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)

• Getting started and Tips

Next steps: We are working on a resolution for Snipping tool and the S mode only issues and will provide an update when more information is available.

You can view the release notes here, but you should be able to grab the download from Optional updates on Windows 11 21H2, otherwise you can find the download in the Microsoft Catalog here. Microsoft also notes that it will provide an update for the apps that are not fixed by the KB5006746 update, those fixes will most likely arrive with next week's Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft provides workaround for expired Windows 11 certificate blocking apps from opening