Fix Microsoft Store Apps Not Installing or Updating (Reset Store + Re-register Apps)

Fix Microsoft Store Apps Not Installing or Updating (Reset Store + Re-register Apps)​

Difficulty: Intermediate | Time Required: 15 minutes
Microsoft Store issues can be frustrating: apps get stuck on “Pending”, downloads never start, updates fail with vague error codes, or installs appear to finish but the app won’t launch. In many cases, the Store’s local cache or app registration becomes corrupted—especially after Windows updates, interrupted downloads, or system cleanup tools.
This guide walks you through a proven two-part fix:
1) Reset the Microsoft Store (cache + app reset)
2) Re-register Microsoft Store apps using PowerShell
These steps work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and often resolve the majority of Store install/update problems without needing a reinstall of Windows.

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Prerequisites​

Before you begin, take a minute to confirm the following:

1. You’re signed in with an administrator account (required for the re-register step).
2. Windows is up to date (recommended):
   • Windows 11: Settings → Windows Update
   • Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
3. Internet connection is working (Store downloads will fail if the connection is blocked by VPN/proxy/firewall).

Note (Windows 10/11): The menus differ slightly depending on your version, but the steps below include both where needed.

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Step-by-step: Reset Store + Re-register Apps​

Step 1) Close the Microsoft Store and any stuck installs​

1. Close Microsoft Store.
2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
3. On the Processes tab, end tasks if present:
   • Microsoft Store
   • wsappx (if it’s clearly stuck and not progressing)
4. Restart your PC if downloads have been stuck for a long time (optional, but helpful).

Tip: If you see downloads stuck at “Pending,” restarting sometimes clears a queue issue before you do deeper fixes.

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Step 2) Run WSReset (clears Store cache)​

WSReset is a built-in tool that clears the Microsoft Store cache without deleting your installed apps.

1. Press Win + R to open Run.
2. Type: wsreset.exe
3. Press Enter.
4. Wait—an empty Command Prompt window may appear briefly, then the Store should open automatically.

What to expect: This may take 10–60 seconds. If it takes longer than 2–3 minutes, proceed to Step 3 anyway.

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Step 3) Reset the Microsoft Store app from Settings​

This resets the Store app’s local data and configuration.

Windows 11​

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps
2. Search for Microsoft Store
3. Click the three dots (⋯) → Advanced options
4. Scroll to Reset
5. Click Repair first
6. If that doesn’t help, click Reset

Windows 10​

1. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features
2. Find Microsoft Store
3. Click it → Advanced options
4. Click Repair, then Reset if needed

Warning: “Reset” clears the Store’s local data (like sign-in tokens and settings). Your installed apps remain, but you may need to sign into the Store again.

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Step 4) Re-register Microsoft Store apps using PowerShell (Admin)​

If resetting doesn’t fix installs/updates, the issue is often broken app registration. This is where re-registering helps.

1. Right-click Start and choose:
   • Windows Terminal (Admin) (Windows 11), or
   • Windows PowerShell (Admin) (Windows 10)
2. If prompted by UAC, click Yes
3. Copy and paste the command below, then press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | ForEach-Object { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"
}

1. Wait for it to complete (this can take a few minutes).
2. Restart your PC.

Note: During this step, you may see red warnings/errors for certain packages (especially system components that are already in use). That’s common. What matters is whether the Microsoft Store starts working afterward.

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Step 5) Re-register Microsoft Store specifically (targeted fix)​

If you’d rather focus on the Store itself (or if Step 4 produced lots of noise), run this targeted command too:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsStore | ForEach-Object { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"
}

Then restart Windows again.

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Step 6) Check required services (often overlooked)​

If Store updates still fail, the underlying services may be disabled.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter
2. Ensure these services are not disabled:
   • Windows Update
   • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
   • Delivery Optimization
3. For each one:
   • Double-click it
   • Set Startup type to Manual or Automatic (not Disabled)
   • Click Start if the service is stopped

Tip: Store downloads commonly rely on BITS and Delivery Optimization. If either is disabled, installs may stall or fail silently.

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Step 7) Try a Store update/install test​

1. Open Microsoft Store
2. Click Library
3. Click Get updates
4. Try installing or updating one app that was previously failing

If it works, you’re done. If not, review the troubleshooting notes below.

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Tips and troubleshooting notes​

1) Sign out/in to Microsoft Store​

Sometimes authentication tokens get stuck.

1. Open Microsoft Store
2. Click your profile icon → Sign out
3. Restart the Store → Sign in

2) Check date/time settings (can break Store authentication)​

1. Settings → Time & language
2. Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically
3. Click Sync now (if available)

3) Clear “stuck” Store download queue​

If apps are stuck pending:

• Reboot
• Open Store → Library → try Cancel on any stuck items (if visible)
• Run wsreset.exe again

4) If you get error 0x80073Dxx / install conflicts​

These errors often indicate partial installs or conflicting packages. The reset + re-register steps usually fix it. If one specific app fails repeatedly:

• Uninstall that app (if possible)
• Restart
• Install again from the Store

5) Run built-in troubleshooters (Windows 10 especially)​

• Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Windows Store Apps
• Windows 11: Microsoft removed some classic troubleshooters, but you can still use Get Help and Windows Update troubleshooting options.

Warning: Avoid third-party “Store fixer” tools or aggressive debloat scripts unless you know exactly what they change—these can remove Store components and break updates.

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Conclusion​

Resetting the Microsoft Store and re-registering app packages addresses two of the most common root causes of Store problems: corrupted cache/local data and broken app registration. After completing these steps, most users can install and update Store apps normally again—without needing drastic repairs.
Key Takeaways:

• Resetting the Store (WSReset + Settings reset) fixes many “stuck download” and “won’t update” issues.
• Re-registering AppX packages repairs broken Microsoft Store/app registrations after updates or corruption.
• Ensuring services like Windows Update, BITS, and Delivery Optimization are enabled prevents downloads from failing silently.

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.