To reinstall the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11, download and install the Xbox app from Xbox.com. Once it’s open, go to Settings > General and you’ll see Microsoft Store listed as a dependency — just click Install next to it and it’ll be back in a few minutes.
Quick Steps:
- Open your browser and go to Xbox.com (or search “Xbox app for Windows”)
- Scroll down and click Download the app
- Run the installer, accept the terms, and click Install
- Click Let’s Go when it finishes
- In the Xbox app, click Browse the Catalogue
- Click Review Now on the missing components banner at the top
- If no banner appears: click the sign-in area > Settings > General
- Click Install next to Microsoft Store and wait for the notification that it’s done
Why Does the Microsoft Store Go Missing?
From years of working in computer repair, I can tell you the two most common reasons Microsoft Store disappears: it got corrupted during a Windows update, or someone removed it on purpose using a PowerShell command. Both situations leave you in the same spot — the Store is gone and Windows doesn’t give you a straightforward way to get it back.
Removing it with PowerShell is actually a pretty common thing to do if you want a cleaner Windows setup. I cover that exact process in my guide on how to uninstall Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11. If that’s what happened on your system, the Xbox app method below is exactly what you need to reverse it.
The reason we use the Xbox app to reinstall the Store is simple: Microsoft Store is listed as a required dependency inside the Xbox app’s settings. This gives you a clean, direct way to reinstall it without having to run a Windows reset or do anything drastic.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Download the Xbox App
Open any browser and search for “Xbox app for Windows” — the top result should take you straight to the official Xbox.com page. You can also just navigate to Xbox.com directly. Once you’re on the page, scroll down until you find the Download the app button and click it.
This downloads the Xbox app installer to your computer. Once the download finishes, click the executable file to open the installation wizard.
Step 2: Install the Xbox App
In the installation wizard, accept the license terms and click Install. Wait for the installation to complete — it only takes a minute or two. Once it’s done, click Let’s Go to launch the Xbox app.
Step 3: Find and Install Microsoft Store
Once the Xbox app is open, click Browse the Catalogue. Look at the top of the screen — you should see a banner saying there are missing components for the Xbox app. Click Review Now on that banner.
If the banner doesn’t appear, don’t worry. Click on the sign-in button in the app and select Settings, then click General. You’ll see a full list of the dependencies that the Xbox app relies on, and Microsoft Store will be in that list.
Click the Install button next to Microsoft Store. It may take a few minutes to download and install. When it’s finished, you’ll get a notification confirming that Microsoft Store has been installed — after that, you can open it and use it like normal.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Microsoft Store is still installed but won’t open
Solution: That’s a different issue from what this guide covers. If the Store is present on your system but just refuses to launch, check out my guide on fixing Microsoft Store not opening in Windows 11 — it walks through the specific fixes for a corrupted or broken Store installation.
Problem: The missing components banner doesn’t show in the Xbox app
Solution: Skip the banner and go manual. Click the sign-in area in the top-right of the Xbox app, select Settings, then click General. The full list of dependencies — including Microsoft Store — will be right there.
Problem: The Xbox app installer won’t run
Solution: Right-click the downloaded file and choose Run as administrator. If it still fails, make sure Windows is fully up to date, as older builds can sometimes block newer app installers from running properly.
FAQ
Does this work on Windows 10 as well as Windows 11?
Yes, the process is the same on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Xbox app is available for both versions, and Microsoft Store will appear in the dependencies list either way.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Store affect my existing apps?
No, reinstalling the Store itself doesn’t touch any apps you already have on your system. Your installed apps stay exactly where they are. The Store is just the platform — removing and reinstalling it doesn’t affect what’s already been installed through it.
Do I have to keep the Xbox app after reinstalling the Store?
No, you don’t need to keep it. Once Microsoft Store is reinstalled, you can remove the Xbox app through Settings > Apps if you don’t plan on using it. Microsoft Store will stay installed on its own without needing the Xbox app to be present.
Is there an easier way to manage built-in Windows apps like Microsoft Store?
If you’d rather have a visual interface to manage built-in Windows apps without running PowerShell commands, my free tool Winhance is worth checking out. It lets you remove or restore apps like Microsoft Store, tweak Windows settings, and clean up bloatware — all from one easy-to-use application.
Can Windows updates reinstall Microsoft Store automatically?
Yes, Windows has a habit of quietly reinstalling apps that were removed, including Microsoft Store. This is one of the more frustrating things about keeping a clean Windows setup. If you want to prevent automatic reinstallation, there are ways to block it through registry edits or tools designed specifically for that purpose.
