Accessing Microsoft Store app install files

Question

I recently bought a new Surface tablet. My old one has a MS Store app installed which is no longer available. Is there some way I can access the install files on the old tablet to use for installing that app on the new one?

Answer 1

Hi LewisCrow

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

Based on the description you posted, it seems that you have an issue with Surface laptop go wherein you want to install all apps on your old tablet to new one.

Yes, you can access the install files of the Microsoft Store app on your old Surface tablet. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open File Explorer on your old Surface tablet.
2. Navigate to the following folder: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
3. Find the folder for the app you want to install on your new Surface tablet. The folder name will be in the format "PublisherName.AppName_VersionNumber".
4. Right-click on the folder and select "Copy".
5. Open email and paste from there and send it on your own.
6. Open the email on your new PC.
7. Paste the copied folder to a location on your new Surface tablet.
8. On your new Surface tablet, open the Microsoft Store app and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
9. Select "My Library" and find the app you want to install.
10. Click on the app and select "Install".

You can access your Microsoft downloads from the Microsoft Store by following these steps:

1. Go to the Order history page on the Microsoft Store website and sign in with the Microsoft account you used to make the purchase.
2. Find the software you want to download and select then install.

I hope I have answered all your questions. Please let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Christopher.

Answer 2

1. Open File Explorer on your old Surface tablet.
2. Navigate to the following folder: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
3. Find the folder for the app you want to install on your new Surface tablet. The folder name will be in the format "PublisherName.AppName_VersionNumber".
4. Right-click on the folder and select "Copy".
5. Open email and paste from there and send it on your own.
6. Open the email on your new PC.
7. Paste the copied folder to a location on your new Surface tablet.
8. On your new Surface tablet, open the Microsoft Store app and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
9. Select "My Library" and find the app you want to install.
10. Click on the app and select "Install".

I get to step 9 and then I have a problem. The app is not listed in my library on my new Surface. It only lists things I've installed on my new Surface, not anything I installed on my old one. Is there a way to install the app from the folder I copied over from the old Surface?

Answer 3

Hi LewisCrow,

Thank you for getting back with us. If you need help transferring data from your old Surface device to your new one, you can transfer your data through external storage or cloud storage. 

If you have copied the app folder from your old Surface to your new one, you can try installing the app by following these steps:

1. Open the folder containing the app on your new Surface.
2. Locate the file with the .exe extension and right-click on it.
3. Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
4. Follow the instructions to install the app.

Please let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Christopher.

Answer 4

I couldn't get it to work, so I moved on to a different app. Thanks for your help, though.

Answer 5

Hi LewisCrow,

Thank you for your response. I apologize for the delay in resolving your issue. Since the steps we provided did not fix the issue, we can have our live support technical team check your device remotely and assist you with transferring your files and apps.

To contact the live support team.

1. Go to Contact Us - Microsoft Support
2. Choose how you would like to get support for your Surface device.
3. Type in the problem you need help with.
4. Look at any available solutions offered and select Contact Support.

You can also check this forum article for a more detailed guide in reaching our live support: How to get Phone and Chat Support (for Surface Home/Consumer - Microsoft Community 

You can also check this link. Global Customer Service phone numbers - Microsoft Support

Thank you for your understanding. Please let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Christopher.