How to Fix Windows Store / Xbox App Failing to Launch After Update — The Cache Reset + Registry Repair That Fixed It

The Windows Store and Xbox app are supposed to make gaming and app downloads easy. But then, boom — an update hits, and neither app wants to open. Whether it just closes instantly, hangs on the logo, or gives you an error, it’s frustrating. But don’t worry — we’ve got a fix that combines a cache reset and a small registry tweak to bring them back to life.

TL;DR

Having trouble launching the Windows Store or Xbox app after a Windows update? Resetting the app cache and fixing certain registry keys often resolves the issue. Follow a few simple steps to clear corrupted files and refresh launch permissions. You’ll be back to installing games and apps in no time!

Why This Happens

Updates are meant to improve things. But sometimes, they mess with your system’s internal settings. Permissions change, app data gets corrupted, and registry paths may reset or go missing. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but when it does, it’s annoying.

Luckily, the fix is relatively simple. Let’s go through it step by step.

Step 1: Try the Simple Fix First – Reset the Cache

The Windows Store and Xbox app have an internal cache that stores temporary data. If this cache gets corrupted, the apps just won’t start.

Here’s how to reset it:

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
2. Type wsreset.exe and hit Enter.
3. A black window will flash up. Wait a minute or two.
4. The Microsoft Store should launch automatically if the cache reset was successful.

If the Store opens but the Xbox app still doesn’t, continue with the steps below.

Step 2: Repair and Reset the Xbox App

Since the Xbox app is tied closely to the Store, we also want to reset it properly.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Find Xbox in the app list and click it.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Click Repair first. Wait a few seconds.
5. If that doesn’t help, choose Reset. This clears data but keeps your account.

If that STILL doesn’t work—don’t worry. Now it’s time to go under the hood a bit.

Step 3: Registry Repair (The Safe Way)

Sometimes, the Windows update messes with certain registry keys that affect app launching. We’ll look at two registry fixes that have solved the issue for many users.

WARNING: Always back up your registry before making any edits.

To back up:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, then press Enter.
2. Click File > Export.
3. Save the backup somewhere safe on your computer or an external drive.

Fix 1: Enable Windows Store Apps via Registry

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore
2. If you see a DWORD value called RemoveWindowsStore, double click it.
3. Change its value to 0 and press OK.
4. If it isn’t there, you can skip this step.

Fix 2: Reset App Access Permissions

1. Go to this registry path:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
2. Look for an entry called Local AppData.
3. Double-click it and confirm its value is:
   
   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local
4. If not, set it to that value and click OK.

These values control where your Windows apps store temporary data. If they point to the wrong place, the apps won’t find what they need — and they crash.

Step 4: Run PowerShell to Reinstall Apps

Sometimes, the only way out is through. We’ll reinstall the Store and Xbox app using PowerShell.

1. Type PowerShell in the Windows Start menu.
2. Right-click and select Run as administrator.
3. In the PowerShell window, paste the following:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.XboxApp | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

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

This will reinstall both apps and reset broken launch files. Wait a few minutes as it runs, even if it pauses for a while. Once complete, try launching both apps again.

Step 5: Turn Off Developer Mode (Just in Case)

Developer Mode can sometimes interfere with app permissions. If you accidentally had it on after the update, turn it off:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > For developers.
2. Make sure Developer Mode is turned off.

Restart your computer and try launching the apps again.

Bonus: Use the Troubleshooter

Microsoft does include a basic Store troubleshooter that sometimes helps.

1. Type troubleshoot in the Start Menu.
2. Click Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Store Apps and click Run.

It will check for permission issues and flag corrupted settings it can fix automatically.

Still Broken? Try Logging Into Another Account

If none of the steps work, there may be a deeper profile issue. You can test this by creating a new user account:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click Add account under “Other users.”
3. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
4. Create a test account and log in.
5. Try launching the Store and Xbox app from the new account.

If they open fine from there, something in your main profile is corrupted. Consider moving to the new account or doing a profile reset.

Wrap Up

The Windows Store and Xbox app are deeply tied into the system. Updates sometimes tweak things in unexpected ways. When that happens, the cache reset and minor registry changes we covered here usually get things working again.

To recap quickly:

• Reset the cache using wsreset.exe
• Try repairing/resetting the apps from Settings
• Fix registry entries for app location and access
• Use PowerShell to reinstall the apps
• Double check permissions and Developer Mode

Now go enjoy your games and apps!