Windows · low · Windows Update & servicing

Microsoft Store apps will not install or open

The Store's package cache or the app registration is damaged. Almost never worth deep investigation — the reset path is quick and safe.

What you see

Store apps fail to install with 0x80073CF9, the Store itself will not open, or built-in apps like Photos and Calculator disappear from the Start menu.

What is actually wrong

A damaged package cache, a missing AppReadiness folder, or a profile whose app registrations were removed by a cleanup script or a debloat tool.

Codes and articles

0x80073CF90x80070005 store0x80D050010x80073D02WSReset

The fix

Reset the cache and re-register the packages

Elevated PowerShell20 minuteslow riskreversible

Any Store or built-in app misbehaviour. Work down the list and stop when it works.

Reset the Store cache. This opens the Store when it finishes and is entirely safe.
Command Prompt
```
wsreset.exe
```
Run the built-in troubleshooter, which fixes the common registration faults on its own.
PowerShell
```
Get-TroubleshootingPack C:\Windows\diagnostics\system\WindowsUpdate | Invoke-TroubleshootingPack
```
Make sure the folder the installer stages into exists — its absence causes 0x80073CF9 specifically.
PowerShell
```
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path 'C:\Windows\AppReadiness' -Force
```
Re-register every provisioned package for the current user.
PowerShell
```
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | ForEach-Object { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue }
```
Errors scroll past for packages that are already fine — that is expected. It is the failures that get repaired.

If the Store itself is missing entirely, reinstall just that package.

PowerShell

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | ForEach-Object { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" }

Confirm it workedThe Store opens and an app installs.

PowerShell

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Format-List Name, Version, Status

If you need to undo itNone needed — re-registering does not remove user data.

Where this stops. This write-up was written and checked by hand. It says what each step changes, how to confirm it worked and how to reverse it, and anything destructive is flagged before you reach it. If it does not match what your machine is doing, search the Support Centre for the exact code or message — and when something needs a person, get in touch.