- Fixing “Unable to Install” Errors for Apps in the Microsoft Store
- Confirm Your PC Meets Minimum Requirements
- Check for Updates
- Clear the Store Cache
- Run the Store Troubleshooter
- Check Firewall and Antivirus Software
- Verify Account and Sign-In Issues
- Reset the Microsoft Store App
- Perform a Clean Boot
- Refresh Windows 10
- Get Help from Microsoft
- Now Install Your Apps!
- References
Fixing “Unable to Install” Errors for Apps in the Microsoft Store
As a Windows 10 user, you may have encountered frustrating error messages when trying to install apps from the Microsoft Store. "Unable to install" errors prevent you from accessing apps you want or need on your PC.
Fortunately, with a few troubleshooting steps, we can get to the bottom of these errors and successfully install apps from the Microsoft Store. In this guide, we’ll walk through the top solutions for "unable to install" errors so you can get the apps you want on your Windows 10 device.
Confirm Your PC Meets Minimum Requirements
Before troubleshooting, verify that your Windows 10 PC or laptop meets the minimum requirements for the app you want to install. Most apps list the minimum OS, RAM, storage space, screen resolution, and other specs needed.
You can check your system specs by going to Settings > System > About. Compare your Windows version, RAM, processor, and other details with the app requirements. If your device doesn’t meet them, you’ll need to upgrade your hardware.
Check for Updates
Outdated software is a common reason for Microsoft Store errors. Confirm you have the latest Windows updates and Microsoft Store version by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and checking for updates.
Install all available updates, especially any with labels like "Feature update to Windows 10, version ___" to get the latest Windows version. Restart your PC after updates finish installing.
Clear the Store Cache
A corrupted store cache can prevent installations. To clear the Microsoft Store cache, open the Windows search bar and type "wsreset". Select the wsreset app result and hit Enter to reset the store and clear cached data.
Try installing the app again after this cache reset. In many cases, this simple fix gets the Microsoft Store working properly again.
Run the Store Troubleshooter
Microsoft provides an automated troubleshooting tool for store issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and launch the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
Follow the prompts to diagnose and repair any store problems. After it finishes, attempt to install your app again. The troubleshooter often resolves common issues that block installations.
Check Firewall and Antivirus Software
Overzealous firewalls and antivirus programs can sometimes block installations from the Microsoft Store. Temporarily disable your firewall and anti-virus to see if that’s preventing the app install.
You can then add exceptions to allow the Microsoft Store through the firewall and antivirus if needed. This gives the store unfettered access to install apps.
Verify Account and Sign-In Issues
The Microsoft Store requires you sign in with a Microsoft account to install apps. Confirm you’re signed into the store with the proper account. Click your profile picture in the top-right of the store app to check.
If you’re not signed in, sign out then sign back in to refresh your authentication. Also try signing in on the Microsoft Store website to validate your account is working properly.
Reset the Microsoft Store App
Resetting the Microsoft Store app essentially reinstalls it, clearing up any errors. To do this, open Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. Scroll to "Microsoft Store" and select Advanced options.
Click "Reset" and confirm to reset the app. This fixes issues within the store app that could block installations.
Perform a Clean Boot
Performing a clean boot in Windows 10 starts your PC with only essential apps and services running in the background. This isolates whether another app or startup program is interfering with the Microsoft Store.
To clean boot, go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable all apps. Then go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and turn off all apps there as well. Restart your PC and see if you can now install the app.
Refresh Windows 10
If you’ve tried everything, including uninstalling and reinstalling the Microsoft Store, a last resort is refreshing or resetting Windows 10 itself. Back up your data first, then go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery and choose to Refresh Windows.
This reinstalls Windows 10 while keeping your files and data. Make sure to reinstall any other apps afterward. A full reset erases everything if refreshing doesn’t work.
Get Help from Microsoft
If you still can’t get past the "unable to install" errors, it’s time to get help directly from the source. The Microsoft Support website has forums and live chat options to troubleshoot Windows and Microsoft Store problems.
Explain your issue and what steps you’ve tried already. The agents can further walk through solutions or diagnose rarer issues blocking app installations or use of the Microsoft Store.
Now Install Your Apps!
With a bit of diligent troubleshooting using our steps, those stubborn "unable to install" errors will be a thing of the past. You’ll be able to seamlessly install any apps you want from the Microsoft Store that meet your Windows 10 PC’s requirements. No more error messages blocking you from great apps!
What other problems have you faced with the Microsoft Store or installing apps on Windows? Let us know in the comments!
