Windows Store app won't work and won't stop running

RHV 105 Reputation points
2026-03-20T22:18:06.19+00:00

The Windows Store app on my Windows 10 computer does not work at all.

I open it, it opens, basically stays in a loading screen (screenshot shown), and WILL NOT CLOSE no matter what I do. I open Task Manager, can't close it. I can only close it by restarting the computer itself, and even then, I have to force close it.

I tried to fix it through the app settings, but Repair just causes it to do the spinning dots and Reset and Terminate don't work either.

Is this a "make you get Windows 11" thing or is the Store just crap?Clipboard01a

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Microsoft Store
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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-20T22:18:24.8066667+00:00

    This behavior is not a Windows 11 push; it indicates a broken Microsoft Store app or related components in Windows 10. Use the supported troubleshooting steps for Microsoft Store apps in Windows 10 and for the Store itself.

    Follow these steps in order:

    1. Reset the Microsoft Store cache
      1. Press Windows key + R.
      2. Type wsreset.exe and select OK.
      3. A blank Command Prompt window opens; after ~10 seconds it closes and Microsoft Store should reopen automatically.
    2. Make sure Windows 10 is fully updated
      1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
      2. Install all available updates and restart.
    3. Update Microsoft Store itself
      1. Open Microsoft Store (if it opens at all).
      2. Select See more (⋯) > Downloads and updates > Get updates.
      3. Let any Store update install.
    4. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
      1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
      2. Choose Windows Store apps > Run the troubleshooter and apply any fixes it suggests.
    5. Repair or reset apps that misbehave If specific Store apps are also hanging or not closing, use Settings > Apps > Apps & features and follow the guidance in Repair or reset your apps for those apps.
    6. If Store still won’t function, reinstall affected apps from your Library
      1. In Microsoft Store, select See more > My Library.
      2. Reinstall needed apps using Install.

    If after these steps the Store still hangs and cannot be closed normally, the issue is likely deeper OS or profile corruption rather than an intentional limitation, and a broader Windows repair (such as in-place upgrade repair or reset while keeping files) would be the next step beyond the documented Store-specific fixes.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  3. Carl-L 22,905 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-25T09:12:54.6366667+00:00

    Hello RHV,

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    Before we proceed, may I know if this issue happens to any other Microsoft apps or just the Store alone?

    In the meantime, please try to follow these steps and reinstall Microsoft Store.

    • Type "PowerShell" in the search bar and select "Run as administrator".
    • Type these commands in order.
      1. Get-AppxPackage WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage
      2. Get-AppXPackage WindowsStore -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
    • Restart your computer.

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