Windows 8 Apps not downloading. All stuck on pending.

Question

I just received a brand new Windows 8 laptop. Right out of the box, a bunch of apps want to update but they all get stuck on "pending" and will not download. I'm very disappointed at the lack of "out of the box" workability. How can I get these apps to update and download?

Answer 1

I found these steps on a different thread and gave them a try, and afterwards my updates downloaded and installed fine.  Forcing the update service to create a new SoftwareDistribution folder seemed to resolve the issue:

1. Open an administrative command prompt (go to the Start screen, type "cmd", right-click on Command Prompt and hit "Run as administrator")
2. Type the following four commands in the command prompt:
3. net stop wuauserv

cd %systemroot%

ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

net start wuauserv 4. Try to install updates again.

Answer 2

I found these steps on a different thread and gave them a try, and afterwards my updates downloaded and installed fine.  Forcing the update service to create a new SoftwareDistribution folder seemed to resolve the issue:

 

1. Open an administrative command prompt (go to the Start screen, type "cmd", right-click on Command Prompt and hit "Run as administrator")
2. Type the following four commands in the command prompt:
3. net stop wuauserv

cd %systemroot%

ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

net start wuauserv 4. Try to install updates again.

Hi M McR,

I am poor in computer, could you guide me how to type exactly the four commands.

I started from

c:\users\kpk>net stop wuauserv (what next step..I could not carry on as the screen appear after press "Enter" key --> system error 5 has occured"

Hopes you can help...

Answer 3

This worked great for me.  Thanks for posting.

Answer 4

I am glad I am not alone, brand new computer and I have spent hours, trying to get apps to download, with no help...they are all stuck in pending, I have tried everything I have seen online to fix this, but no help and it seems like we are all left floundering, I was excited with the new Windows 8, but now I feel like it is completely useless, why have apps if I can get them??????  I am not a computer "geek" so some talk about removing drivers etc is way beyond me, and to be honest I should not have to go through all this with a new computer

It might be that your Windows 8 PC needs to restart to configure Windows updates. You could try this:

1. Select your User name in the upper right hand corner of the Start screen, then select Sign out.
2. Then tell your PC to Shut down or Restart at the Login screen by selecting the power symbol in the lower right hand corner. Your PC may say it is configuring Windows updates.

Hopefully when you restart the PC your Store/app issue will be resolved.

Answer 5

Hi,

Thank you for choosing Windows 8!

I can imagine how frustrating it could be when the apps don’t download or update. I will try and guide you accordingly to fix this issue.

 Do you get any error message/code?

I would recommend you to follow the below given methods and check if it helps

Method1: I would recommend you to run the app troubleshooter and check if it helps

Refer:

What to do if you have problems with an app

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/what-troubleshoot-problems-app

Note: Run the troubleshooter that is mentioned at the end.

Method2: Reset Store cache and check.

From the desktop:

Press Windows + R keys

Type "wsreset.exe" on run window and press enter.

It opens the store to reset the store cache.

If the issue still persists

Method 3: Put the computer in Clean Boot state to see if there is any software conflict as clean boot helps in eliminating software conflicts.

Refer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After performing the troubleshooting steps in clean boot, follow Step 3 from the link to return the computer to Normal startup mode.

Also refer:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/why-find-install-app-windows-store

Hope this information will help you.

For any further assistance, reply to us and we will be happy to help you.