Microsoft store and apps don't open

Question

Microsoft store and apps don't open

Anonymous

I've been having an issue where I'm unable to open the Windows Store or any Windows apps. Clicking on them does nothing, no windows pop up at all. Similarly, when I try to download an app from the Windows store in Chrome (NVIDIA Control Panel for example), clicking "get" gives no response.

I've come across a few threads where people have reported similar issues (e.g. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/microsoft-store-doesnt-launch/f99e4250-83e2-4a54-90c0-adbc377ca23d?page=2 and https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/cant-open-windows-store-apps/327148da-7aff-474e-bcd7-4eaac324f8a0), and have tried some of the suggestions in this thread, with no luck.

Windows Troubleshooter

Running the troubleshooter comes back with no results - "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem"

Clear Cache

I can't even find the cache in C:>users>user_name>AppData>Local>Packages>Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe>Local cache. The "MicrosoftStore" folder doesn't exist.

WS Reset

Ran "wsreset.exe" as admin, takes a while to load them comes up with an error that says:

ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

SFC

The system file check came back with no results - "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."

Powershell commands

Ran Powershell as admin and ran a few commands and came back with the following results.

Command:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml

Result:

Add-AppxPackage : Cannot find path 'C:\Windows\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml' because it does not exist.

At line:1 char:1

Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register C:\Windows\WinStore ...

+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (C:\Windows\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], ItemNot

FoundException

+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : PathNotFound,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand

Command:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name *Store* | Add-AppxPackage -Register -DisableDevelopmentMode -ForceApplicationShutdown -Path {$_.InstallLocation + "/AppxManifest.xml"} -Verbose

Result:

Add-AppxPackage : Cannot find path 'C:\Program

Files\WindowsApps\microsoft.storepurchaseapp_12005.1001.1.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml' because it does not

exist.

At line:1 char:43

... e *Store* | Add-AppxPackage -Register -DisableDevelopmentMode -ForceA ...

+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (C:\Program File...ppxManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], ItemNotFou

ndException

+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : PathNotFound,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand

In addition, when I try to access the WindowsApp folder I get a prompt saying:

"You don't currently have permission to access this folder. Click Continue to permanently get access to this folder."

Continued as admin.

"You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab."

I can access the security tab by running as admin, but I'm not entirely sure how to read this.

I have done a full reset of my PC (deleted all files), and I'm still having the same issues.

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3 answers

Answer 1

Anonymous

Wonderful! So glad to hear it, Kisa.

Let me know if there's anything else.

Also when ready please mark the post which helped most as the Answer (or Resolved), to help others. A rating is also appreciated.

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Answer 2

Anonymous

The steps in the article about re-installing the store through the media creation tool fixed it, thank you!

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Answer 3

Hi Kisa. I'm Greg, an eleven years awarded MVP, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

Reset is not the best reinstall for this because it uses onboard files that may be corrupted. Better to do a Repair Install using the latest fresh media which reinstalls WIndows while saving your files, apps and settings in place. Skip to Step 11 below.

If you want to try to fix it first I'll give you everything possible that works to fix the Store, based on helping to fix it daily for years here. Even if you've tried a step, please do it over in this sequence:

Try updating Store apps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402625....

Check also the Windows 10 Version number at Settings > System > About. If less than 1909 skip to Step 11 to upgrade to the latest by the most stable method.

Right click on the time and date in the far right corner of the taskbar. Choose Adjust Date and time settings, at the top make sure the time is correct. If it’s wrong, manually adjust it and make sure the sliders for Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are set to on.
Type CMD in Search, run as Admin, type in box and press Enter, wait until it confirms Services were stopped successfully:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

Delete everything you find in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore and C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.

Restart PC to restart these Services, or type in Admin Command:

net start wuauserv

net start bits

Try running the Windows Store apps Troubleshooter in Windows Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Type CMD in Search box, Run CMD as administrator, type WSReset.exe and hit Enter. Or in the Search type wsreset.exe select Run as administrator.
If that fails to fix the problem go to Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features to highlight Microsoft Store, choose Advanced Options, then Reset. After it resets, restart PC.
If that fails then re-register the Microsoft Store:

Type CMD in Search, run as Admin, copy and paste into box:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml

If you receive error "Cannot find path 'C:\AppxManifest.xml' because it does not exist" it means the Store was uninstalled. Try all the steps here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

If these do not work then skip to Step 11 to reinstall WIndows including the Store while keeping your apps, files and most settings in place..

Clear the LocalCache Folder: Open Run by pressing the Windows key + R hotkey.

Copy and paste %localappdata% in Run and click OK.

Open Packages&gt; Microsoft.WindowsStore\_8wekyb3d8bbwe &gt; LocalCache folder.

Press the Ctrl + A hotkey to select all content within the LocalCache folder.

Press the Delete button.

Type services.msc in Search box, choose Run as Administrator, from Services tab ensure that Microsoft Store Install Service is checked, if not restart PC.

Alternative methods to work through the above steps here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR1fux9Q9O4

If these all fail then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account because of the serious and persistent problem with corrupted accounts. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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Microsoft store and apps don't open

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