Problem logging in, app message appears

Question

After turning on my laptop, before putting in my password, but after clicking the 'sign in' link, my laptop gives me a message saying Search for app in the Store? You need to install an app for this task. Would you like to search for one in the Store? With yes/no button options. Nothing happens when I click either option and I am therefore unable to login.

Answer 1

Dear Abigail,

Hello! Welcome to the Microsoft Community. I'm glad to be able to assist you. If I misunderstand your question, please let me know promptly.

I understand that when you log in, some application messages appear, preventing you from logging in normally. I understand the trouble this problem brings to you, and I will try my best to help you solve it.

Based on what you mentioned, it looks like there is a problem with the Microsoft Store. Try the following steps:

• Log in in safe mode, you should be able to enter normally. Then reset the Microsoft Store, press "win+r", enter "wsreset.exe", and press enter. After waiting for the reset to complete, restart the computer to see if the problem persists.

Use safe boot to see if the problem persists. To start in safe mode, hold down the power to shut down and restart three times or restart while holding down Shift. You will enter the Windows Recovery Environment, where you can find Troubleshooting>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Select Safe Mode Startup.

Windows startup settings - Microsoft Support

• If it is not the Microsoft Store but another application, still start in safe mode, then do a clean boot, and follow the steps of the clean boot to find the problematic application.

Clean startup, try to use clean startup, and check whether the problem still appears after eliminating the influence of third-party soft armor and services. If the problem is solved, you can follow the steps of clean startup to find the problematic software.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get you back on track.

• If the above does not solve your problem, there may be system file corruption, try an in-place upgrade, which can refresh your system files while preserving various data.

Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: 

1. How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community
2. How to perform an In-place Upgrade with Windows 10 Step-by-Step Guide - Microsoft Community

• If the in-place upgrade also does not resolve your issue, try creating a new local account and see if the same issue occurs in the new account.

Press win+R and type "lusrmgr.msc" to open Local Users and Groups.

Right-click the Users folder and select New User.

Enter the username and password and click Create.

On the right side of the newly created account, select the account type and set it to Administrator.

Now go to the newly created local account and see if the issue is resolved.

I hope the above information is helpful, if you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

Best Wishes

Pyke.D | Microsoft Community Support Specialist