How to clear Microsoft Store cache on Windows 10

Use this guide to clear the cache and fix the Windows 10 Store when you have problems installing new apps or update downloads seem to get stuck on every app.

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@Pureinfotech
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Clear Microsoft Store cache
Clear Microsoft Store cache

On Windows 10, you can clear the cache for the Microsoft Store to resolve issues using the app or when downloading apps and you receive errors, such as “0x80244018,” or the app never finish downloading.

If you’re having any problems using the Microsoft Store on Windows 10, it’s probably because of an issue with files cached on the system to improve the experience of the app.

In this guide, you’ll learn the easy steps to clear the cache of the Microsoft Store app on Windows 10.

Clear Microsoft Store cache for inbox apps

To clear the Store app cache on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Run and click the top result to open the dialog box.

  3. Type the following command to clear and reset the cache of Microsoft Store and click the OK button:

    WSReset.exe

    WSReset command

Once you complete the steps, the command will clear the cache and reset the Microsoft Store to fix problems using the experience or downloading apps.

Clear Microsoft Store cache for other apps

To clear the cache for third-party apps on Windows 10, use these steps:

Important: Modifying the Registry can cause serious problems if not used properly. It’s assumed you know what you’re doing, and you have created a full backup of your system before proceeding.

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to list all the current user accounts and press Enter:

    wmic useraccount get name,sid

    User account SID command

  4. Open Start.

  5. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

  6. Navigate to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore

  7. Under the “AppxAllUserStore” key, select your user account identified by the SID that you noted on step No. 3, press the Delete key, and confirm the deletion by clicking the Yes button.

    Delete cache Store user on Windows 10

  8. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, the cache for the Microsoft Store apps should clear, and the apps should start working correctly.

If you’re still having problems, you can use these instructions to resolve issues with Microsoft Store.

Update July 7, 2020: Originally published in 2016, and revised in July 2020 to make sure the information still accurate.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].