Ever since the release of Windows 10, PC users have reported issues with the Windows Store app and Start menu. While Microsoft has issued updates to fix many of the issues, including the Settings app, users are still having issues while downloading and installing apps from the Store.
We have already discussed several ways to fix not opening the Store app in Windows 10. Some users who have gone through our fix: store app not opening guide have requested us to come up with a guide to resolve issues while downloading and installing apps from the Store.
Why clear and reset the Store cache?
If the Store app fails to download apps or if the installation hangs in the middle without any specific error, you should be able to resolve the issue by deleting and resetting the Windows Store cache. Clearing and resetting Windows 10 Store cache can also be tried when the Store fails to update apps installed from the Store or when the Store app fails to load.
Luckily, the Store cache can be easily cleared and reset without using third-party apps or launching PowerShell. Windows 10 includes a built-in utility called WSReset to clear and reset the Store cache.
Note that clearing and resetting the Windows Store cache will not remove your installed apps or your Microsoft account info associated with the Store app.
If the Store app is failing to launch or load, we recommend you follow the instructions in our how to fix when the Store app is not opening or loading in the Windows 10 guide, along with the solution mentioned in this guide.
Method 1 of 2
Clear and reset the Store cache in Windows 10
Here is how to clear and reset the Windows Store cache in Windows 10:
Step 1: Close the Windows Store app if it’s running.
Step 2: In the Start menu search box, type WSReset (Windows Store Reset) to see Wsreset in the search results.
Step 3: Right-click on WSReset and then click Run as administrator option. Click the Yes button when you see the User Account Confirmation box.
NOTE: If the WSReset utility does not show up in the search result, you can launch the same from the System32 folder (Windows\System32). To open the WSReset tool from the System32 folder, please navigate to the drive where Windows 10 is installed (usually “C”), open up the Windows folder, and open up the System32 folder. Here, you can find the WSReset.exe file. Right-click on it and then click Run as administrator option.
Step 4: The Store app should now automatically launch along with the Command Prompt. The Command Prompt window will automatically disappear after a couple of seconds.
That’s it! You have cleared and reset the Windows Store cache in Windows 10. Open the Store app and try to install some apps from the Store. You should be able to download and install apps without any issues now.
If the above method fails to fix Store issue(s), we recommend you try the method given below.
Method 2 of 2
Reset the Store app
Resetting the Store app clears and resets the Store cache as well.
Step 1: Go to the Settings app > Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: Click on the Microsoft Store entry to see the hidden Advanced options link. Click on the link to open another page.
Step 3: In the Reset section, click on the Reset button to reset the Store app. When you reset the Store app, it clears the cache as well. You might need to sign in again to the Store after the reset.
Frustrated Window User says
Can’t access settings. I did the wsreset, the store opened but that’s about it.
Artur Balestro says
Since February 12, 2021, I’m having an issue of not being able to load the Microsoft Store or any application related to it. An error comes saying “the application hasn’t started” and not even the wsreset works.
That was apparently right after a windows update, still hasn’t solved it. Sadly, Microsoft is still not consistent to this day.
Daniel says
2021 and this problem is still relatable after 5 years…
Jon says
Why the hell are we having this problem still. These posts are from 2016. It’s now 12.12.2020 and mICROsOft still haven’t fixed the download issues!!! ARE THEY STUPID?!!! Why is this happenening and why is microsoft so useless!!!!! Bill gAtes needs to stop trying to find knew ways to kill the Human race with his planned parent hood and eugenics nonsense and stick to computers!!!! IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bIll gATes owns the patent for the Covid-19 virus hoax and is part owner of the vaccine hoax/killer!!! Unbelievable!!! Look how we have all been scammed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IthinkIHaveAnAnswer says
Sign into your microsoft account
then click on CONTACT US
Open CONTACT US in BROWSER
Type “Unable to open settings” without quotes in the chat bot
They’ll recommend running sfc /scannow and the DISM
Michal says
I also have this problem, when I want to click on install the cursor suddently changes to red cross. Before this I had normal cursor but when I clicked on install nothing happened. Im really disappointed with Microsoft shitty store. I already spent 2 hours solving such a stupid error/bug.
admin says
Prince kumar, please make sure that you are running the latest version of Windows 10.
prince kumar says
but in my setting during reset of microsoft store there is no any advanced option
emily says
You need to update windows store in order to be able to switch out of Microsoft store S mode in windows 10 Home. A pain, as usual with Microsoft
Lookingforsolution says
I am here because Artifex Mundi recommended it to me. I bought a game and it doesn’t work. I think maybe I should go back to factory settings…..
HAMID says
why there is no solution from Microsoft. the issue is from years and there is no solution. It’s totally wasting my time to search the solution and I’m helpless and getting to be made.
is there any solution please do the needful.
malcolm says
comand prompt opening & staying open?????? WTF. thought it was supposed to disappear after a few seconds. only seems to affect certain apps each time.
john tortorella says
Getting error message. oxc03f300d trying to load apps
Dave says
sfc /scannow should have fixed that
Andreas says
Something is broken with the Windows downloader. I took a packect capture and it looks like the downloader tries to request a certain Byte range, but the download server responds with an error code not accepting the Byte range:
GET /filestreamingservice/files/c990f90c-588a-4383-9f4b-1a15d3bc7e73?P1=1504732124&P2=301&P3=2&P4=bbZ%2buVQKd3WYrf4geP0JvQfCfhK5Y6TSQX4GVpILUJA%3d HTTP/1.1
Cache-Control: no-cache
Connection: Keep-Alive
Pragma: no-cache
Accept: */*
Range: bytes=32505856-33312840
User-Agent: Microsoft-Delivery-Optimization/10.0
MS-CV: f48kIZyrQ0+/8N5q.83.1.1.0.8.2.3.17.1.2
Content-Length: 0
Host: tlu.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
HTTP/1.1 416 Requested Range Not Satisfiable
Content-Length: 0
Connection: close
Accept-Ranges: none
Betty says
NONE OF THIS WORKS. GIVE US A SOLUTION RATHER THAN A RUN AROUND
Paul S says
It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in trying to solve this problem.
‘Mail and Calendar’ updated today without problem, but ‘Microsoft Photos’, ‘Groove Music’ and ‘Films & TV’ have been stuck for some time.
The good news is that I don’t really use these apps except for testing purposes.
johnincornwall says
Sadly, same here. I seem to be hanging on a windows update, maybe this is the root of the problem. I’ve got 8% of the process but then no more, regardless of how long its left running.
Matt says
As usual, step by step instructions do not work for me when the author assumes everyone will get the same result as they do. I run wsreset in admin mode. It hangs.
What Next???
Shawn Daugherty says
Having same problem, seems to have occurred after last upgrade, some apps wont open like Microsoft Solitaire, the suggested fix is to run wsreset as administrator, but wsreset does not do anything, certainly does not behave as described in the article above. it just opens the command and stays open, Store does nothing. Nothing happens.
Shawn
kk says
I am facing the same problem please help me out WSReset.exe is not working…
Stephen says
Agree this is useless
Allan Watson says
WSReset.exe opens in a command window but does nothing and never terminates. Running sfc /scannow found no problems. I cannot find anywhere reputable where I can download a fresh copy of WSReset.exe, assuming that it is corrupted.