Microsoft Store missing from Windows 10, can't restore, can't install apps

Hi Stef,

Sorry, I didn't see those instructions, there's been a lot to read latey!

I went to the GitHub page, downloaded ran the add-store.cmd script, but just got the results below. It's saying that "...a higher version of this package is installed..." I think because in following Greg Carmack's instructions, I did download a bunch of appx files from the link he sent and I installed them yesterday.

I also ran the Add-AppxPackage -Path "Path_to_file.appxbundle" and got this:

===============================================

Also, it was a very good idea to create a new user to see if the Microsoft Store and Photos work there -- they do not! In the new profile, when I click on the icons, the window opens for a fraction of a second and then closes. So.....that leads me to think that it's hardware-related. I think there must be some driver for a piece of hardware in this laptop that Windows 10 doesn't have a good driver for yet. As I mentioned earlier, this is originally a Windows 11 laptop, but I can't stand working with it, so I did a clean Win 10 install on it.

Hmm, so the app doesn't open. It may, indeed, be a hardware issue, or the files that are required for the store don't work/are corrupt. Do you have more than 1 graphics card in your PC/Laptop? And if yes, is it a dedicated one or the CPU/integrated one?

And can you try running the same command again, but this time copy the thing that contains -ActivityID and run it. It will show something important.

Don't forget to send a screenshot :)

Another thing I have tried now is:

get-appxpackage -allusers

Then I tried:

remove-appxpackage Microsoft.WindowsStore_22204.1401.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

for which I copied the name the from PowerShell output below. PowerShell just says "Package not found". It shows the package is installed for the new user ("Kam") in the screenshot, but not the admin user I usually use. So it's clearly not even installing in my admin profile.

Hi Stef,

Sorry, I didn't see those instructions, there's been a lot to read latey!

I went to the GitHub page, downloaded ran the add-store.cmd script, but just got the results below. It's saying that "...a higher version of this package is installed..." I think because in following Greg Carmack's instructions, I did download a bunch of appx files from the link he sent and I installed them yesterday.

I also ran the Add-AppxPackage -Path "Path_to_file.appxbundle" and got this:

===============================================

Also, it was a very good idea to create a new user to see if the Microsoft Store and Photos work there -- they do not! In the new profile, when I click on the icons, the window opens for a fraction of a second and then closes. So.....that leads me to think that it's hardware-related. I think there must be some driver for a piece of hardware in this laptop that Windows 10 doesn't have a good driver for yet. As I mentioned earlier, this is originally a Windows 11 laptop, but I can't stand working with it, so I did a clean Win 10 install on it.

Hi Greg,

OK, here how I worked through it........

1. I was able to start ClipSVC without a problem, so I skipped these steps.
2. a) Cannot open Store, so can't get in to update apps

I have Windows Version 19044.1706, Experience Pack 120.2212.4170.0

b) I set Date/Time to set time zone automatically. I had done this before, but the option seems to get unchecked by itself.

c) When doing the first part, I did Option 1 by mistake. The two screenshots below are from that. I got about 100+ responses like this from PowerShell:

Then, when I ran the reinstallation part, the first 40 or so seemed to work, but from there to the end (100+) got messages similar to this:

Then I proceeded with Option 2. Everything else but Photos and Store seemed to work, so I ran those using CMD as Admin:

d) I opened Services and both Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service were already stopped.

Deleted the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\

Restarted above services successfully.

e) There was no "All Troubleshooters" option, but I ran the Windows Store apps Troubleshooter. There was no "Photos" present.

Clicked Next and got this:

f) Ran WSreset and got this. The white box went away as soon as I captured the screenshot:

7. Went to Apps, but Microsoft Store is not present; couldn't take any action:

g) Ran PowerShell:

Followed instructions on https://store.rg-adguard.net/

Had trouble with this one:

Microsoft.WindowsStore_12107.1001.15.0_neutral___8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

Tried this one (again, after many times previously -- didn't work): https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-reinstall-microsoft-store-app-in-windows-10/e9d71c80-8399-49d5-9d92-a18add81a4dc

Ran the XBOX installer, but got this:

Followed the instructions on GitHub:

https://github.com/kkkgo/LTSC-Add-MicrosoftStore

g) Could not clear the LocalCache Folder: 

Folder not found:

h) Checked services:

===============================

I read through the remaining links and instructions. Much of it is repetition of other previously mentioned links and instructions, so I just can't repeat everything....again. I ran sfc /scannow and got:

and then DISM:

I disabled most of the items in the msconfig / Startup, as you suggested. Still no Microsoft Store, unfortunately.......

The link I provided you was a download link to an .appx to the same site you downloaded the store from. Try making a new user and see if there is a Windows Store. If there is, then move all your data to the new account. Give it admin permissions as well, of course.

Also, when you tried installing it with the Windows software it gave another error, it seems it is because of a Windows Update. Try updating to the latest version

You didn't download the archive! Don't run that command, download the archive, extract it in a folder **the path should have not a space** and run Add-Store.cmd and send a screenshot.

Reviewing the thread it seems you've tried everything except the Clean Install. Look over this tutorial for a gold standard Clean Install which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... Note that the driver steps are so important they are printed in red.

It is one of life's great learning experiences that will permanently make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to keep it that way.