If the Microsoft Store won’t open on Windows 10 or 11, the most reliable fix is to uninstall it using PowerShell and then reinstall it through the Xbox app. Run Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage in PowerShell as Administrator, then download the Xbox app from Xbox.com and use it to reinstall Microsoft Store.
Quick Steps:
- Right-click the Start button and open PowerShell or Terminal as Administrator
- Paste and run this command:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage - Close PowerShell once it finishes
- Open your browser and go to Xbox.com or search for “Xbox app for Windows”
- Click “Download the app,” run the installer, accept the terms, and click Install
- Once installed, click “Let’s go” to open the Xbox app, then click “Browse the catalog”
- Click “Review now” on the missing components banner, or go to Settings > General if the banner doesn’t appear
- Find Microsoft Store in the list and click Install
- Wait for the notification confirming installation, then open Microsoft Store normally
Why Does Reinstalling the Microsoft Store Fix It?
In my years running a computer repair shop, the Microsoft Store not opening was one of those issues that came up regularly. It almost always came down to the same thing: corrupted app files. This can happen after a Windows update goes wrong, after an interrupted app update, or just from normal use over time.
When the Store’s files get corrupted, trying to repair or reset it through Windows Settings doesn’t always clear it out completely. Uninstalling it through PowerShell wipes the broken installation cleanly, and reinstalling through the Xbox app pulls in a fresh working version with all the right components in place.
The reason you go through the Xbox app specifically is that Microsoft Store is listed as one of its required dependencies. When you install the Xbox app, it gives you a straightforward way to install or reinstall any missing components right from within the app itself.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Uninstall Microsoft Store via PowerShell
Right-click the Start button and select “PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin).” If you don’t see those options in the menu, search for PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose “Run as administrator.”
Once PowerShell is open, paste in this command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackageWait for it to finish running, then close PowerShell. The Microsoft Store is now uninstalled from your computer and you won’t have access to it until you reinstall it in the next steps.
Step 2: Download and Install the Xbox App
Open your browser and either search for “Xbox app for Windows” or go directly to Xbox.com. Scroll down the page until you find the button that says “Download the app” and click on it. This downloads the Xbox app installer to your PC.
Once the download is done, open the installer file. The Xbox app installation wizard will open. Accept the terms and conditions and click Install. Wait for it to finish, then click “Let’s go” to launch the Xbox app.
Step 3: Reinstall Microsoft Store Through the Xbox App
In the Xbox app, click “Browse the catalog.” Near the top of the screen you should see a banner saying there are missing components for the Xbox app. Click “Review now” and you’ll be taken to a list of all the dependencies it needs.
If you don’t see the missing components banner, click the sign-in button in the Xbox app and then select Settings. In the Settings menu, click on General. You’ll find the full list of dependencies there, including Microsoft Store.
Click the Install button next to Microsoft Store. It might take a few minutes to complete. Once it’s done, you’ll get a notification confirming the Microsoft Store has been installed. You can now open it and use it like normal.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: PowerShell returns an error when running the uninstall command
Solution: You need to be running PowerShell as Administrator. Right-click on the PowerShell or Terminal icon and make sure you choose “Run as administrator” before entering the command.
Problem: The missing components banner doesn’t appear in the Xbox app
Solution: Click the sign-in button in the top-right corner of the Xbox app, then go to Settings and click General. The list of missing dependencies will be there even without the banner showing up on the home screen.
Problem: Microsoft Store still won’t open after reinstalling
Solution: Restart your PC after the reinstall. Windows sometimes needs a full reboot to properly register the newly installed app and clear out any leftover processes from the old corrupted version.
Problem: The Xbox app itself won’t install
Solution: Try downloading the installer again from Xbox.com using a different browser. Also make sure your Windows is up to date by going to Settings > Windows Update, as missing system updates can sometimes block app installations.
FAQ
Will uninstalling Microsoft Store delete my apps?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft Store app itself does not remove any apps you already have installed on your PC. Those stay right where they are. You just lose access to the Store interface until you reinstall it.
Is there a quicker fix to try before reinstalling?
Yes, you can try resetting the Store cache first. Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. This clears the Microsoft Store cache and sometimes fixes the issue without needing to fully uninstall and reinstall. If that doesn’t work, go ahead with the reinstall method above.
Why did Microsoft Store stop opening in the first place?
The most common causes are corrupted app files from a failed Windows update, an interrupted Store update, or third-party cleanup tools that accidentally removed files the Store depends on. It can also happen after using certain Windows debloating scripts that strip out core app components.
Can I install apps without Microsoft Store while I fix it?
Yes, most apps can be downloaded directly from the developer’s website or installed using a package manager like WinGet or Chocolatey. I actually have a guide on how to install apps on Windows without using the Microsoft Store that walks through both of those methods if you need to get something installed in the meantime.
Are there tools to help manage Windows apps more easily?
If you want an easier way to manage apps and settings across your whole Windows installation, I built a free open-source tool called Winhance. It lets you remove bloatware, manage Windows features, and tweak system settings without needing to run PowerShell commands for everything.
