If Microsoft Store is missing, search for it from Start first; it may simply be unpinned or disabled by a work or school administrator. If it is present but broken, Microsoft’s supported first steps are to repair it and, if needed, reset it in Settings—not to reinstall Windows. There is no universal Store-specific PowerShell reinstall command documented for every Windows device.
First, check whether Microsoft Store is actually missing
Open Start and search for Microsoft Store. If it appears, open it; if you only want it easier to reach, pin it to Start or the taskbar. Microsoft notes that an app absent from the taskbar may simply have been unpinned. See Microsoft’s instructions for opening Microsoft Store.
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If it does not appear in Start search, check that you are signed in with a Microsoft account. On a device managed by work or school, ask the administrator whether Store access has been turned off; consumer repair steps cannot override an organization’s policy. Microsoft covers these cases in Can’t find Microsoft Store app.
Repair Microsoft Store, then reset it if needed
For an installed Store app that will not open or is behaving incorrectly, try the lighter app-level repair before resetting it. The Settings labels differ between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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- Windows 11: Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft Store, select its More icon, then choose Advanced options.
- Windows 10: Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select Microsoft Store, then choose Advanced options if shown.
- Select Repair. Try opening Store again. If Repair is unavailable or does not help, return to the same Advanced options page and select Reset, if available.
Repair is the first choice because it is the less disruptive app-level action; Reset is the next step. Neither is a Windows reinstall. Microsoft cautions that the repair and reset controls are not shown for every app. For the version-specific steps and that qualification, see Repair apps and programs in Windows.
Use wsreset.exe for Microsoft’s documented 0x80131500 error
If Store fails to launch with error 0x80131500, Microsoft documents this reset procedure:
- Press Windows key + R to open Run.
- Enter
wsreset.exe, then select OK. - A blank Command Prompt window opens and closes after about ten seconds; Microsoft says Store should then open automatically.
This is guidance for the documented 0x80131500 launch error, not a guaranteed fix for every Store problem. The same Microsoft page advises checking Windows updates and Store updates, as well as time and location settings: Error 0x80131500 in Microsoft Store.
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- Confirm account status: Sign in with a Microsoft account and verify that the app or game you need is compatible with your Windows version.
- Install Windows updates: Open Settings and check for available Windows updates. The exact Settings labels can vary by release.
- Update Store apps: If Microsoft Store opens, go to its Library or updates area and select Check for updates if that option is shown. Microsoft says app updates are being made automatic, while users can still pause updates; interface wording may differ across Windows releases. See Get updates for apps and games in Microsoft Store.
- Check date, time, and location: Make sure these Windows settings are correct, especially if Store reports the documented launch error.
For additional app troubleshooting steps, consult Microsoft’s Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store.
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Choose Windows recovery only when the problem is broader than Store
If other Windows features are failing too, the cause may be system-level rather than an isolated Store problem. Windows recovery actions affect more than the Store app, so choose one based on the scope of the failure and the data impact you can accept.
| Option | Targets Store or Windows? | Apps, files, and settings | Availability and policy considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair or reset Store in Settings | The installed Store app | App-level actions; these are not Windows reinstalls. | Repair and Reset may not be offered for every app. A work or school policy can still restrict Store. |
| Fix problems using Windows Update | Windows, not Store alone | Microsoft says this reinstalls the current Windows version while preserving apps, files, and settings. | Microsoft documents the option for supported Windows 11 versions. Availability depends on the device and version. |
| Reset this PC | Windows, not Store alone | More disruptive; what is kept or removed depends on the selected reset choices. | Review the recovery choices for your device before proceeding; management policies may affect available options. |
| Reinstall Windows using installation media | Windows, not Store alone | Depending on the installation path selected, personal files, apps, and settings can be removed. | Use only when appropriate for the system-level problem. Microsoft describes creating installation media on a USB drive or DVD; neither is needed for Store Repair, Reset, or wsreset.exe. |
For a supported Windows 11 device, Fix problems by reinstalling the current version of Windows describes the repair-reinstall option that preserves apps, files, and settings. Microsoft’s broader Recovery options in Windows guide explains other choices, while Reinstall Windows with the installation media covers the media-based route. Back up important files before using a recovery option that could remove them.
Windows 10 support status
Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Its Store troubleshooting guidance covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, but Settings paths differ by version. If you still use Windows 10, account for its end-of-support status when deciding how to maintain or recover the device. See Microsoft’s repair guidance.
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