Windows 8 app store and PC Settings won't open.

Having the same issue since last night. 

1. I believe an NVIDIA driver update was pushed/installed through Windows update, which prevented the computer from fully starting Windows after reboot.
2. I rebooted, pressed F8, and used Windows Restore to remove all installed apps/updates but preserve my user files (documents, etc.).
3. Windows 8 now boots and I can login with my MS Account password (locally).
4. I then disabled auto-installation of Windows Update downloads so I don't have this issue going forward.  I set Windows Update so I can review updates before installing and will avoid Nvidia updates.
5. I can sign into my Windows account locally with my MS Account password, but the Action Center on the desktop requests that I "Click here to enter my most recent password (Important)."
6. I click on that, it loads the Windows 8 settings splash screen (the gear symbol), but then immediately exits back to the desktop.
7. I try to manually go into the Settings option from the Charms bar, but have the same result: splash screen displays but Settings won't open.  Therefore, I can't enter the MS Account password it is requesting.
8. The Windows Store shows the same behavior.
9. Other non-admin accounts on the PC also exhibit the same behaviors.
10. I'm going to try to restore again, but I expect the same issue.
11. My guess is that the MS Account info is corrupted locally, but it's severe enough that it won't allow me to launch and re-authenticate with the service over the internet.

I have the same problem. I upgraded last week from Vista to windows 8 and have been unable to connect using the Store app. I have also had great problems finding the windows 8 PC app store. When using Bing it takes you everywhere except the app store , at least you can still rely on Google !

From Event Viewer:

Activation of app winstore_cw5n1h2txyewy!Windows.Store failed with error: The system cannot find the file specified. See the Microsoft-Windows-TWinUI/Operational log for additional information.

i have the exact same issue

I haven't made any changes at all. I've only had the computer for maybe two weeks. When I try to open the programs it pulls up the loading screen and then immediately closes. I don't get any error messages. I've tried Method 1, 2, 4, and 5. I can't get into the PC Settings so I can't boot in safe mode. I went ahead and tried the other parts to that method just in case and they didn't work.