Windows 8 Apps not downloading. All stuck on pending.

Anonymous
2012-12-22T14:29:15+00:00

I just received a brand new Windows 8 laptop. Right out of the box, a bunch of apps want to update but they all get stuck on "pending" and will not download. I'm very disappointed at the lack of "out of the box" workability. How can I get these apps to update and download?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Microsoft Store

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Anonymous
2012-12-29T00:03:19+00:00

I found these steps on a different thread and gave them a try, and afterwards my updates downloaded and installed fine.  Forcing the update service to create a new SoftwareDistribution folder seemed to resolve the issue:

  1. Open an administrative command prompt (go to the Start screen, type "cmd", right-click on Command Prompt and hit "Run as administrator")
  2. Type the following four commands in the command prompt:
  3. net stop wuauserv

cd %systemroot%

ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

net start wuauserv 4. Try to install updates again.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-30T04:15:19+00:00

    what do i do when it says denied at ren SoftwareDistibution SoftwareDistribution.old

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T23:36:34+00:00

    Worked spot on. Thanks MCR

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-04T18:08:24+00:00

    I just cannot believe this thread is two years old and there is no proper way to fix this issue.  Spent all morning trying every step mentioned in this with no luck.  In the first place, it shouldn't happen... if it happens, there should be an easy way to address this...

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-12T02:34:42+00:00

    I am glad I am not alone, brand new computer and I have spent hours, trying to get apps to download, with no help...they are all stuck in pending, I have tried everything I have seen online to fix this, but no help and it seems like we are all left floundering, I was excited with the new Windows 8, but now I feel like it is completely useless, why have apps if I can get them??????  I am not a computer "geek" so some talk about removing drivers etc is way beyond me, and to be honest I should not have to go through all this with a new computer

    It might be that your Windows 8 PC needs to restart to configure Windows updates. You could try this:

    1. Select your User name in the upper right hand corner of the Start screen, then select Sign out.
    2. Then tell your PC to Shut down or Restart at the Login screen by selecting the power symbol in the lower right hand corner. Your PC may say it is configuring Windows updates.

    Hopefully when you restart the PC your Store/app issue will be resolved.

    Thanks for your help

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