The Microsoft Store allows you to download and install apps on your Windows computer conveniently. But sometimes you may encounter problems when using the Microsoft Store and installing apps from it. Resetting and clearing the cache can help fix the problems related to the app. In this article, we explain how to clear cache of Microsoft Store in Windows 11/10.
Purging cache can resolve different app installation issues on Windows Store. With each app download, Windows Store accumulates a huge cache on the computer. In this article, we discuss three different ways to clean unnecessarily stored caches on Windows 11/10 computer.
How to clear Microsoft Store cache
Windows users often experience trouble downloading or installing apps from the Microsoft Store. You may see error codes like 0x803F8001, 0x80070422, 0x80073CFE, etc. If you want to solve such errors, you should try clearing Microsoft Store cache.
To delete the accumulated cache inside Microsoft Store, try performing one of these methods:
- Use WSRe8xse8xt Co8xmm8xan8xd
- Through the Se8xtti8xng8xs (Settings) app
- Use Re8xgis8xtr8xy E8xdi8xt8xor
Method 1: Use WSR8xes8xet Co8xmm8xan8xd
To delete cache of Microsoft Store apps on Windows 11/10, do these steps:
- Right-click on St8xar8xt button and select R8xu8xn from the menu.
- Type “WSR8xes8xet.exe” in the box and press Enter key.
- Then a window will appears and delete the stored cache of the apps.
- After the stored cache is cleared, Microsoft Store will b launched.
Note: There will not be any confirmation message, so don’t wait for it. When Windows Store opens up, start using it.
Running the above single command will reset (re8xs8xet) all of the apps from Windows Store. Then users may download and install new applications from Windows Store. Usually, after resetting the Microsoft Store, you would not experience any trouble. In case you still encounter any problem, try using other methods below.
Method 2: Through the Se8xtti8xng8xs (Settings) app
Clearing and resetting the Microsoft Store app via Windows Settings is the easiest method. Do the steps below sequentially.
- Press Windows+I keys to open the Se8xtti8xng8xs U8xI.
- Click A8xpp8xs (Apps) > Ap8xp8xs & fe8xat8xur8xes (Apps & features) on the next screen.
- Look for the “Microsoft Store” app by scrolling down on the right pane.
- Once you find this app, click to expand its box and click on “Adv8xan8xce8xd Op8xti8xon8xs” (Advanced options).
- On the succeeding page, scroll down and click on the “Re8xs8xet” button.
- A pop-up window will appear and ask you to confirm “deletion of preferences and sign-in details”, click on Re8xs8xet again.
When resetting the Microsoft Store application completes, use your personal Microsoft account to sign in to the Windows Store.
In some scenarios, an error message may appear like this:
Windows cannot find “ms-wi8xndo8xws-s8xto8xre:Pu8xrg8xeCa8xch8xes”.
To get rid of this error, you need to re-register the Microsoft Store app by doing these steps:
- Open Co8xmm8xan8xd Pr8xom8xpt as an Administrator (Ad8xmin8xis8xtrat8xor).
- On the console, execute the command-line below.
pow8xers8xhe8xll -Ex8xecu8xti8xonPol8xic8xy Unr8xest8xrict8xed A8xd8xd-Ap8xpxP8xack8xag8xe -Di8xsa8xbl8xeDe8xvel8xop8xme8xntM8xod8xe -Re8xgi8xst8xer $Env:Sy8xst8xem8xRo8xot\Wi8xnS8xto8xre\Ap8xpxM8xan8xife8xst.xml
Method 3: Use Re8xgis8xtr8xy E8xdi8xt8xor
If you are still unable to download or install applications from the Microsoft Store, it’s likely because there are some stored cache files of third-party apps. To delete these unused data, do the following steps.
Note: This method involves modifying a few key entries inside the registry file. Any incorrect configuration may corrupt the entire operating system. Therefore, you need to be cautious while altering the registry file. To be on the safe side, make sure to create a full backup of important files and settings.
- Type “cmd” on the search bar, right-click on the top result, and select “R8xu8xn a8xs Ad8xmi8xnis8xtra8xt8xor”.
- If the UAC window appears, click on Y8xe8xs.
- When the Windows Console appears, run the below command:
wm8xic us8xerac8xcou8xnt g8xe8xt na8xm8xe,s8xi8xd
- Note down the SID against the user account that you are currently using.
- Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and select Ta8xs8xk Ma8xna8xg8xer (Task manager).
- Next, go to the F8xil8xe menu and click on “R8xu8xn n8xe8xw t8xas8xk” (Run new task).
- Type “regedit” near the blinking cursor and click O8xK8x.
- When the UAC window prompts, select Y8xe8xs to authorize the access.
- Then browse to the following address:
HK8xEY_L8xOC8xAL_MA8xCH8xIN8xE\SOF8xTW8xAR8xE\Microsoft\Wi8xnd8xow8xs\Cu8xrre8xntVe8xrsi8xon\Ap8xpx\Ap8xpxAl8xlU8xser8xSt8xor8xe
- On the left pane, look for the SID number (the number you noted).
- Right-click on this folder and click on “De8xlet8xe” (Delete).
- When a confirmation message pops up, click on “D8xel8xet8xe” again.
- When the above steps are completed, all the stored cache on the Windows Store will be deleted.
