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If Microsoft Store is missing, do not start by downloading an unofficial installer or removing AppX packages. The Store may simply be unpinned, unavailable to a local account, blocked by work or school policy, unregistered for your Windows profile, or damaged. Follow these fixes from least to most destructive.
Microsoft still includes Store with supported Windows installations, and Microsoft says completely removing it is unsupported. The exact fix depends on whether it is missing for one account or every account.
First, check whether Microsoft Store is really missing
- Open Start and search for Microsoft Store.
- If it appears, open it. Right-click the result and choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
- If it does not appear, sign in with a Microsoft account if possible. Microsoft notes that Store availability can be affected when Windows uses only a local account.
- On a work or school computer, ask the administrator whether Store access has been disabled.
These checks distinguish a missing shortcut from a missing or unregistered package. See Microsoft’s guidance for finding Microsoft Store.
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Install Windows updates and restart
Pending updates or a restart can prevent Store components from working correctly.
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- Windows 11: Open Start > Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install available updates, and restart.
- Windows 10: Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install them, and restart.
Also check the system date, time, region, internet connection, and Microsoft account sign-in.
Reset the Store cache with wsreset.exe
This clears Store cache data; it does not reinstall the Store package.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
wsreset.exeand select OK. - Wait for the blank Command Prompt window to close. Store should normally open automatically after about ten seconds.
This is useful when Store appears but will not open, loads incorrectly, or displays common Store errors. Microsoft’s instructions are in this Store troubleshooting guide.
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Repair or reset Microsoft Store
If Store appears in Settings, try Repair before Reset.
- Windows 11: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Store, select its three-dot menu, choose Advanced options, then select Repair. If necessary, select Reset.
- Windows 10: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select Microsoft Store, choose Advanced options, and select Repair or Reset.
Repair attempts to fix the app without clearing its stored data. Reset clears the app’s data and returns it to a default state. Labels may vary slightly by Windows build. See Microsoft’s app repair guidance.
Check whether the Store package exists
Use a normal, non-elevated PowerShell window for the current user check:
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Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore*To open it, search Start for PowerShell and select it normally; do not choose Run as administrator.
- If package information appears, Store exists and is registered for the current user.
- If there is no output, it may not be registered for that user.
Now test whether the package exists for any account. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore* -AllUsersIf this returns package details, the package exists on the computer but may not be registered for the affected account. Close the elevated window before performing the next step.
Re-register Microsoft Store for your account
From a normal, non-elevated PowerShell window belonging to the affected user, run:
Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbweRestart Windows and search Start for Microsoft Store. This command registers an existing package for the current user; it does not download a new installer. Microsoft warns that running registration from an elevated prompt can register the app for the administrator instead of the user who needs it. The relevant Microsoft procedure is documented here.
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Do not run commands that remove the Store, such as:
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Get-AppxPackage *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackageMicrosoft states that removing Microsoft Store is unsupported and third-party “uninstall and reinstall” tutorials may make recovery harder.
Advanced fallback: register the manifest
Use this only if the package exists but family-name registration fails. In an administrative PowerShell window, identify the installed package folder:
dir "C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.WindowsStore*"Package folder names and versions vary. Use the actual folder returned by that command; do not copy a version-specific path from another PC. Then close the administrator window and run this from a normal PowerShell window:
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchAdd-AppxPackage -Path "C:Program FilesWindowsApps<actual-package-folder>AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode -RegisterRestart and test Store again. Microsoft’s broader AppX troubleshooting guidance covers this registration method.
Repair damaged Windows components
Use system repair when Store and other built-in apps are also broken, registration reports deployment or file errors, or problems began after an update, malware incident, cleanup utility, or disk failure.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run DISM first:
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DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthWhen it finishes, run:
sfc /scannowWait until SFC reaches 100 percent. Microsoft recommends DISM before SFC because DISM can repair the component files SFC needs.
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- No integrity violations: protected system-file corruption was not found.
- Corrupt files repaired: restart and test Store.
- Corrupt files could not all be repaired: review the CBS log and consider deeper Windows recovery.
- Requested operation could not be performed: Microsoft recommends trying SFC in Safe Mode.
Use Microsoft’s DISM and SFC instructions for further log and Safe Mode guidance.
Check policy, proxy, and firewall restrictions
On a company or school device, Microsoft Store may be intentionally disabled through policy or mobile-device management. A policy such as RemoveWindowsStore can block access. Corporate firewalls and proxies can also prevent Store downloads or Windows Update connections.
Do not bypass organizational policy, edit the registry, or disable security controls. Ask IT whether Store is blocked and which approved software-distribution method to use. Microsoft documents policy and network requirements in its enterprise Store troubleshooting guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Store opens but an app cannot be installed
A missing Store interface and an unavailable Store app are different problems. An individual app may be unavailable because of region, family settings, compatibility, account authorization, removal from Store, or a required restart.
If you only need a particular application, try Windows Package Manager:
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winget search <AppName>
winget install <AppName>Results depend on the configured WinGet sources and whether that application is available through them. WinGet can provide an alternative installation route; it does not necessarily repair the Store interface. An app publisher’s official download page may be another option.
Last resort: reset Windows
Use Reset this PC only after account, policy, registration, and system-file repairs fail. Back up important files first. If device encryption is enabled, locate the BitLocker recovery key before starting.
- Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC.
- Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started.
Choose between:
- Keep my files: preserves personal files but removes installed apps and settings.
- Remove everything: deletes personal files, apps, and settings.
- Cloud download: downloads a fresh Windows copy and is useful when local recovery files may be damaged.
- Local reinstall: uses files already on the PC and may be faster, but those files may be corrupted.
Microsoft’s details are in its Reset this PC guide.
Use this decision tree
- Store appears in Start: update Windows, run
wsreset.exe, then use Repair and Reset. - Store is missing for one account: test another account, check the package normally, and re-register it from a non-elevated PowerShell prompt.
- Store is missing for every account: check policy, run the all-users package check, then run DISM and SFC.
- Store opens but downloads fail: check account authorization, region, compatibility, updates, proxy, firewall, and required network access.
- Nothing works: back up your data and consider Windows recovery or Reset this PC.
Windows 10 support note
Microsoft ended free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 can continue to run, but repairing Store is separate from deciding whether to move to Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall Microsoft Store without resetting Windows?
Usually, yes. If the package still exists, re-register it with the documented PowerShell command from a normal, non-elevated prompt. Do not remove the package first.
Does wsreset.exe reinstall Microsoft Store?
No. It resets Store cache data. A missing or unregistered package requires registration or Windows repair.
Why does Store work for another Windows account?
The package is probably present, while the affected profile has a registration, profile, or policy problem. Register it from the affected user’s normal PowerShell session.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsShould I use PowerShell as administrator?
Use normal PowerShell to inspect and register Store for the current user. Use an elevated window only for the all-users existence check or machine-level diagnosis.
Can WinGet replace Microsoft Store?
It can install some individual applications when the relevant WinGet source provides them, but it does not repair or replace the Store interface.
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