If your Windows app updated and now it won’t open, error 0x80073D02 means Windows could not install or update an app package because resources it needed to modify were in use. The code does not identify which app or process held those resources, and it does not by itself prove that the app’s data is corrupt or that Windows needs reinstalling. Start by closing and reopening the app; if that does not help, work through the steps below in order.
What does error 0x80073D02 mean?
Microsoft defines 0x80073D02 as ERROR_PACKAGES_IN_USE: “The package couldn’t be installed because resources it modifies are currently in use.” In plain terms, Windows encountered an app-package resource that was busy during installation or an update. The error does not say which process or file was involved, so the code alone cannot establish what specifically blocked the operation. Microsoft’s app deployment error table provides the definition.
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This is different from 0x80073CFE, which Microsoft defines as ERROR_PACKAGE_REPOSITORY_CORRUPTED. Seeing 0x80073D02 is not evidence that the package repository is corrupted.
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Try the least disruptive steps first. Microsoft recommends closing and reopening the app, checking for Windows and Store updates, then repairing or resetting the app and reinstalling it if needed.
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1. Close and reopen the app
- Close the app window.
- Open the app again and check whether it starts.
- If the app or its update still appears to be active, restart the PC, then try opening the app or retrying its update.
The error identifies an in-use resource, but not the process holding it. Avoid assuming a particular background process is responsible without device-specific evidence. Microsoft’s Store app troubleshooting guide lists closing and reopening the app as an initial step.
2. Check Windows and Microsoft Store for updates
- Open Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates.
- Open Microsoft Store, go to Library, and select Get updates.
- When updates finish, try opening the affected app again.
These are Microsoft’s recommended checks for Store app problems. If the app is not a Store app, its publisher may provide a separate update or repair route.
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3. Repair the app, then reset it if needed
Repair is the lower-impact option. If it is unavailable or does not solve the problem, Reset is a stronger app-level step and may restore the app’s default configuration. The effect on locally stored data depends on the app, so check its own guidance before resetting an app that stores important data on the device.
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 errors- Windows 11: Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Select the menu beside the app, choose Advanced options, then select Repair if available.
- If Repair is unavailable or ineffective, return to the app’s Advanced options and select Reset.
- Windows 10: Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, then choose Advanced options. Use Repair first if offered; use Reset only if needed.
These controls are not available for every app. Microsoft’s repair instructions give the Windows 10 and Windows 11 paths.
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4. Reinstall the app from Microsoft Store
If the app still fails and it came from Microsoft Store, open the Store, go to Library, find the app, and select Install. Check that the app is compatible with your Windows version. For a game, Microsoft directs users to its separate game installation troubleshooting guidance. Microsoft’s Store app guide covers reinstalling from the Library.
5. Get help before trying advanced package commands
If the app still will not launch, an app publisher or IT administrator can help determine whether the package is registered correctly and whether a more technical repair is appropriate. Microsoft’s guidance for checking package registration, re-registering or resetting a package, reinstalling it with Store or winget, and reviewing event logs is intended for support agents and IT professionals—not as a routine first fix for a single app. Contact the app publisher or your IT administrator before running administrator-level PowerShell commands, editing the registry, or removing packages. Microsoft’s technical app troubleshooting guidance describes those advanced diagnostics.
Does Windows 10 support status cause this error?
No conclusion about the cause of 0x80073D02 follows from Windows 10’s support status. Microsoft says Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; it no longer receives free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. That lifecycle change is relevant when considering the system’s update and security status, but the error itself means app-package resources were in use. Microsoft’s repair and program guidance includes the support notice.
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