Encountering the “Win32Bridge.server.exe Incorrect function” error on Windows 10/11 can be frustrating and disruptive to your computer’s functionality. This error is associated with the Win32Bridge.server.exe process and can cause various issues, including system slowdowns or unresponsiveness. 

If you’re experiencing this error, it’s important to address it promptly to restore your computer’s normal operation.

 In this article, we will explore the causes behind the Win32Bridge.server.exe error and provide effective solutions to fix it, helping you regain a smooth and error-free computing experience.

What Is Causing the Win32bridge Server Problem?

If you’ve encountered this error, you must be wondering “Why do I keep getting the windowserver32bridge error?” 

Several Windows users reported that the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ notification pops up whenever they boot the system, particularly after a Windows update.

  • The most common culprit that causes this error is a corrupt Cortana application or Windows OS installation. In some cases, the error occurred when a user installed a utility like Glary or iTunes app.
  • For some users, the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ error caused a BSOD.

Also read: How to Find Out the Cause of BSODs Using the Event Viewer: Quick Solution Here


How to Fix the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect Function’ Error

Solution 1: Repair or Reset the Cortana Application

One of the main reasons that could trigger the Win32Bridge Server problem is if the Cortana application is corrupt. If that’s the case, repairing or resetting the Cortana app to default settings could resolve the issue.

To do so, follow our guide below:

  • Press the Windows Key on your keyboard and click on the gear icon to launch the Settings app.
  • Go to Apps > Apps and features, and locate Cortana from the list of installed apps and features. To make your search quick, type “Cortana” (without quotes) in the search bar.
  • Once Cortana shows up, click on it, and select “Advanced Options.”
  • Go to the Reset section and click on the “Repair” button. This action will prompt the system to attempt to repair the Cortana application. The process won’t affect the app’s data.
  • Once the repair is complete, restart your system and check if it resolved the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ error.

If it didn’t, try resetting the Cortana application. To do so:

  • Repeat Steps 1 to 3 above, and then under the Reset section, click on the “Reset” button. This will erase all the app’s data and reset it to its default settings.
  • Once again, reboot your system and check if the error has disappeared.

This fix should get rid of the Win32Bridge Server problem.

Solution 2: Disable or Remove the Cortana App

If repairing or resetting the Cortana application didn’t work in your favor, disabling it might do the trick. This is especially useful if you don’t use Cortana or if the Cortana application is not available to you due to geographical restrictions.

To disable Cortana:

  1. Press the “Win + S” key combination, and type in Cortana (without quotes).
  2. Right-click the Cortana app and select “App Settings.”
  3. Under the Runs at Log-In option, toggle the Cortana switch to Off.
  4. Next, open Task Manager. You can do this by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager,” or simply use the Ctrl + Shift +Esc shortcut keys.
  5. Locate the Startup tab and click on it to open a list of startup items. Find Cortana, right-click on it, and select “Disable.”
  6. Restart Windows to apply the changes you just made.

The ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ problem should be resolved. If this didn’t work, try the method below:

Disable Cortana Via the Group Policy Editor

You can use the Group Policy Editor to specify whether or not Cortana is allowed on the device. If you don’t configure this setting or you enable it, Cortana will be allowed on the device. If you disable the setting, the feature will be turned off. This will also mean that Cortana won’t be connected to your account, and it won’t get access to your Microsoft account details.

Here are the steps to disable Cortana via Group Policy:

  1. The first step is to log off of your account. To do this, open the Cortana search box and click on the Notebook icon, the one below the house icon in the left pane.
  2. Select “About Me” to open the email address that you used to connect with Cortana.
  3. Click on your email address. A small window containing details of your account will pop up. You should see an option to Sign out. Click on it, and you will be logged out of Cortana.
  4. Next, open the Run dialog box using the “Win + R” key combination, type in “msc” (no quotes), and hit the Enter key or click OK. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  5. Go to the path: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
  6. On the right side of the window, right-click on the Allow Cortana option, and click on the Disabled radio button.
  7. Reboot your system. Cortana Search and Bing Search should be disabled.

Now check if the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ error has been resolved.


Also Read: How to Fix .exe Files Not Opening in Windows 10?


Solution 3: Check for System File Corruption

If the files required for your system to function properly are corrupted, you may run into the ‘Win32Bridge.Server.exe Incorrect function’ issue. To fix this, you may need to utilize the Windows built-in SFC and DISM tools. The tools will scan your system for file corruption and attempt to repair them.

To perform an SFC scan, follow these steps:

  • Open an elevated command prompt. To do so, use the “Win + X” shortcut keys and select Command Prompt (Admin). If the option is not available, press the Windows logo on your keyboard and type in “cmd” (no quotes). Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator” in the right pane.
  • In the Command Prompt window, key in this command and hit Enter:

sfc /scannow


Note: Be sure to allow the process to run to the end. If the SFC scan finds issues with your system files, it will attempt to repair them.


  • Reboot your system and check if the error has disappeared.

If the SFC scan doesn’t fix the Win32Bridge Server problem, try the DISM command:

  • Run the Command Prompt as an administrator as shown in Step 1 above and execute the following command:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This command will take anywhere between 20 minutes to four hours or more, depending on your image size and system specs.

  • Once again, restart Windows and see if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 4: Deactivate CDPUserSvc

The Connected Devices Platform (CDP) is a service that synchronizes data like your Calendar, Mails, Contacts, and OneDrive, to mention a few. If you don’t use these applications, it won’t hurt to disable the service. We will need to edit the Registry for this process.

Keep in mind that the Registry is essential to the proper functioning of your system. Any mistake may lead to irreparable errors, and probably make your PC inoperable. Therefore, be sure to create a backup before proceeding. We also recommend that you carefully follow the steps outlined below to deactivate CDPUserSvc:

  1. Use the “Win + R” keyboard shortcut to launch the Run box.
  2. Type in “regedit” (no quotes) and hit the “Enter” key or press OK.
  3. Click on Yes on the UAC prompt.
  4. In the Registry window, open this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CDPUserSvc
  5. On the right side of the window, double-click on Start to edit its value.
  6. On the pop-up screen that appears, change the value to 4. This operation will deactivate the service.
  7. Exit the Registry and reboot your system for the changes to take effect.

This should get rid of the Win32Bridge Server problem.

On a Final Note…

In the “Win32Bridge.server.exe Incorrect function” error on Windows 10/11 can be a disruptive issue that affects your computer’s performance. However, by following the solutions provided in this article, you can effectively resolve this error and restore normal functionality to your system.

To make system maintenance easier, you can use reliable software tools like Auslogics BoostSpeed.

Auslogics BoostSpeed offers a range of features to optimize and maintain your computer system:

  • System Scan: Conducts a comprehensive scan of your system to identify issues, such as junk files, registry errors, fragmented disks, and privacy risks. Plus, you can set up the tool for Automatic Maintenance.

Use Auslogics BoostSpeed to optimize and maintain your computer system

  • Disk Cleaner: Removes unnecessary files, temporary data, and system junk to free up disk space and improve system performance.

Also Read: Disk Cleanup Tips: How to Compress a Drive to Save Disk Space in Windows 10


  • Registry Cleaner: Fixes invalid registry entries, repairs broken links, and resolves registry errors to enhance system stability and speed.

Auslogics BoostSpeed Registry Cleaner to fix invalid registry entries

Disk Defrag: Defragments hard drives to consolidate fragmented files, improving disk read/write speeds and overall system performance.

Auslogics Disk Difrag to consolidate fragmented files

By taking proactive  system maintenance measures to fix the “Win32Bridge.server.exe Incorrect function” error, you can enjoy a smoother and more stable computing experience on your Windows 10/11 system.


Also Read: Speed Up Slow Computer as a Pro – Introducing Auslogics BoostSpeed 13


FAQ

How to Stop Cortana From Popping Up

To stop Cortana from popping up on your Windows device, you can follow these steps:

  • Click on the Start menu button and select the “Settings” gear icon.
  • In the Settings window, click on “Cortana & Search”.
  • Under the “Talk to Cortana” section, toggle off the “Hey Cortana” option. This will disable the voice activation feature.
  • Additionally, you can customize other Cortana settings by exploring the options available in the Cortana & Search settings.

What Is Win32bridge.server.exe?

Win32Bridge.server.exe is a process related to the Windows operating system. It is responsible for managing the compatibility between Windows applications and older Win32-based programs. This process ensures that older software can run smoothly on newer versions of Windows. Win32Bridge.server.exe is a legitimate system file and is typically located in the Windows system folder.