How to do a COMPLETE RESET of Windows store (W10, As if you just turned on your PC for the very first time.)

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How to do a COMPLETE RESET of Windows store (W10, As if you just turned on your PC for the very first time.)

Anonymous

Is there any "deeper" methods to completely reset the windows store to as close to a completely fresh windows install as possible? I ask because unfortunately I am experiencing a 100% failure rate in getting the MS Store to function. In this case 100% failure rate meaning across 3 different computers, 2 desktops and 1 laptop; I have not a single time EVER managed to get MS store to function for me without issues. This is sadly not an exaggeration or hyperbole, from my personal experience, the MS store quite literally does not work, ever. For trouble shooting I have performed all usual listed steps: Logging out then back in via store, repair/reset via apps and features page, doing wsreset.exe in command prompt as admin, operating powershell as admin to reinstall/re-register the store app, ensuring I am on the absolute latest stable build of windows available etc. Unfortunately not a single time have I managed to get the MS store functional via these troubleshooting steps; and I am hesitant to completely wipe my W10 install to start over from scratch on my various PCs. If there is known any sort of option short of the nuclear complete reinstall of windows to fix this, it would be extremely appreciated if it could be listed for me to try. Thank you in advance to any who may reply.

System info:

Windows 10: 10.0.19044 (Installed on 1TB SATA SSD)

R7 5800X

RX 500XT

32GB RAM 3733mhz

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1 answer

Answer 1

Hello, I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

If this is happening on that many PC's then there's likely something that's being installed or modded that's causing it. Store failure is an issue but out of 1.2 billion Windows 10 installs it's an infinitesimal percentage that wouldn't likely statistically happen to that many PC's belonging to one person without a precipitating reason. So I'd think hard about any system mods you have which are prime suspects for issues like this.

Hopefully however one of the usual fixes will work for you. 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, as one or more steps will always work, and hopefully you won't need to do more than a few:

Try updating Store apps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-bil...

Check also the Windows 10 Version number at Settings > System > About. If less than 21H2 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.
Re-register the Store app from Option 2 here: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3175-apps-re...
Type Services in Search box, run Services app as Administrator, open Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Stop both.

Press “Windows (flag) key + R,” copy and paste C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ press the Enter button.

This folder has all the files related to Windows updates.

Open the “Download” folder, select and delete all the files.

Restart Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer services in Services app by opening both and choosing Start.

Try running the Windows Store apps Troubleshooter in Windows Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > All Troubleshooters.
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 try everything here:

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/restore-wind...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

If that doesn't fix it then try the Marked Answer here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

And if that fails install the Add Store (first in list) download from here:

https://github.com/kkkgo/LTSC-Add-MicrosoftStore

or skip to Step 11 below 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 started and set to Manual, if not restart PC.

Alternative methods to work through the above steps here:

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

Next do everything in Step 10 of this checklist:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

1. Try these fixes for Store missing:

https://wethegeek.com/microsoft-store-missing-i...

https://thegeekpage.com/fix-windows-store-missi...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-store-ap...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-microsoft-store-m...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGb9TtN5ShI

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, which reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place, brings it up to the latest version by the most stable method, takes about an hour and resolves most problems: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...

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.

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How to do a COMPLETE RESET of Windows store (W10, As if you just turned on your PC for the very first time.)

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