How to Fix the Windows Store: A Comprehensive Guide to Clearing the Cache and Resolving Common Issues

Are you experiencing problems with the Windows Store on your Windows 8 device? Whether you’re unable to download apps, update existing ones, or even open the Store itself, a corrupted cache can be the culprit. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to clear the Windows Store cache and resolve common issues, helping you get your Store back up and running smoothly.

Understanding the Windows Store Cache

The Windows Store cache is a collection of temporary files that the Store uses to store data and improve performance. However, over time, these files can become corrupted or outdated, leading to various problems. Clearing the cache essentially removes these files, allowing the Store to start fresh with a clean slate.

Clearing the Windows Store Cache

To clear the Windows Store cache, follow these simple steps:

Press the Windows R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
Type WSReset.exe, and click/tap on OK.
In Windows 8 and Windows RT, the Store will now open, and state the following: “The cache for the store was cleared. You can now browse the store for apps.”
In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, the Store will now open without any message. You can now browse the store for apps.

It’s important to note that clearing the cache will not delete any of your installed apps or account settings.

Clearing the Cache for 3rd Party Apps

If you’re experiencing issues with 3rd party apps from the Windows Store, you may need to clear the cache for those specific apps. Here’s how:

Open an elevated command prompt.
In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter. This will give you the user SID for each account on the PC. Make note of the SID (ex: S-1-5-21-1505978256-3813739684-4272618129-1016) for the user account that apps are not working in.
wmic useraccount get name,sid

Press the Windows R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.
If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore

In the left pane under the AppxAllUserStore key, right click on the SID key (ex: S-1-5-21-1505978256-3813739684-4272618129-1016) from step 2 above, click on Delete, and Yes to approve.
Close Registry Editor and the elevated command prompt.
Restart the computer to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you should be able to clear the cache for specific 3rd party apps and resolve any issues you may be experiencing.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

If clearing the cache doesn’t resolve your issues, here are a few additional troubleshooting tips:

Re-register the Microsoft Store app using PowerShell
Check for Windows updates to ensure compatibility between Windows components and the Microsoft Store
Clear cache files for Windows Store and Windows Update services using Command Prompt

Remember, clearing the cache is a common troubleshooting step for many software applications, including web browsers. If you continue to experience issues after trying these steps, it may be worth considering a more comprehensive solution, such as resetting the Microsoft Store.

In conclusion, clearing the Windows Store cache is a simple and effective way to resolve common issues and get your Store back up and running smoothly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to clear the cache, troubleshoot specific app problems, and get back to downloading and updating apps with ease.