Overview
The Microsoft Store can occasionally break, disappear, or be removed intentionally. Because it is a built-in app, you cannot simply download it from a website. Instead, Windows lets you reinstall or re-register it using PowerShell. This guide covers re-registering the existing Store and performing a full reinstall.
Key Takeaways
- The Microsoft Store is reinstalled through PowerShell, not a downloadable installer.
- Re-registering the app fixes most problems without a full reinstall.
- A full reinstall removes and re-adds the Store package for the current user.
- You must run PowerShell as an administrator for these commands.
Method 1: Re-register the Microsoft Store
This is the quickest fix and resolves most Store issues.
1. Right-click Start and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run: Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
3. Wait for it to finish, then restart your PC and open the Store to confirm it works.
Method 2: Fully Reinstall the Store
If re-registering does not help, remove the Store package and add it back.
1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Remove it: Get-AppxPackage *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage
3. Re-add it for all users: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
4. Restart the computer and launch the Store.
Note: If the Store is completely absent for all accounts, running Windows Update or an in-place repair install will restore the built-in apps.
Warning: Removing built-in app packages can affect related components. Reinstall the Store promptly after removing it, and avoid deleting other system app packages you are unsure about.
Troubleshooting
Problem: PowerShell shows a red error while re-registering.
Solution: Ensure you launched PowerShell as administrator; some deployment errors can be ignored if the Store still opens afterward.
Problem: The Store opens but will not download apps.
Solution: Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and reset the Store cache by running wsreset.exe.
Problem: The Store is missing entirely for every user.
Solution: Run Windows Update to restore system apps, or perform an in-place upgrade repair install.
Problem: Add-AppxPackage cannot find the manifest path.
Solution: Confirm the Store package is still present with Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers before attempting to register it.
Conclusion
Whether the Store is merely misbehaving or has vanished, PowerShell can bring it back. Start with a quick re-registration and move to a full reinstall only if the problem persists.
About TechHub
This guide is part of the TechHub Knowledge Base. For more step-by-step IT guides and support, visit techhub.com.lk.
