Solved: Microsoft Store Cache may be Damaged in Windows 10

A couple of Windows 10 users report after a recent Windows 10 update, while installing apps and extensions from the Microsoft Store, it fails to download and install apps with a different error, such as Microsoft Store error 0x80072efd, 0x80072ee2, 0x80072ee7, 0x80073D05 etc. And running the store troubleshooter results “Microsoft Store Cache may be Damaged” problem note fixed. For some users, the store app troubleshooter gets the message “Microsoft Store cache and licenses may be corrupt” and offers to reset the Microsoft Store, but even after resetting the store, there’s no change in the issue and the problem remains the same.

As users mention on Microsoft forum:

After installing recent windows updates, Store app fails to load as it just opens and closes immediately or sometimes store app fails to start with different error codes. While Running the store app troubleshooter get the message “Microsoft Store cache and licenses may be corrupt.”  As suggests I “Reset and open Microsoft Store,” which I did. But still, it ends with a message “Microsoft Store cache may be damaged.  “Not fixed.”

Fix Microsoft Store Cache may be Damaged

As the name suggests, the corrupted Store database (cache) is the main reason behind this problem. If your Microsoft Store has started freezing n,ot responding at startup, won’t download/update apps at all. Even previously used apps (which worked properly before the problem) started refusing to open or keep crashing. And running the Troubleshooter throws the Microsoft Store cache may be damaged error. Here are some solutions you may apply to get rid of this.

First of all, Disable security software (antivirus) if installed on your computer.

Check and make sure your system date, time and religion are set correctly.

Also, make sure you have installed the latest Windows updates as Microsoft regularly push patch updates with bug fixes and security improvements.

Again check you have a working internet connection, where store app needs an internet connection to connect to the Microsoft server and download apps or app updates.

Start Windows into clean boot state and open Microsoft Store. This will start functioning normally If any third-party app is causing the issue, where the Microsoft Store app crashes, freezes etc. Find out the problematic app or uninstall recently installed applications to resolve the issue.

Also, open the command prompt as administrator privilege and run sfc /scannow command to check and make sure corrupted system files not causing the issue.

Reset Microsoft Store Cache.

Sometimes, too much cache or corrupted cache might be bloating the Microsoft Store app, causing it to not function efficiently. And it also shows errors like Microsoft Store Cache May Be Damaged. And Mostly Clearing the cache of the Store can help resolve issues with installing or updating apps. In fact, clearing cache can resolve many Windows problems

Note that clearing and resetting the Microsoft Store cache will not remove your installed apps or your Microsoft account info associated with the Store app.

• First Close Windows 10 Store app, if it’s running.
• Press Windows  + R keys to open the run command box.
• Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
• Check if the store apps are working. If not, then run the Apps Troubleshooter again.

Create a new Cache folder for Microsoft Store

Altering Cache Folder In App Directory is another effective solution to fix most of Windows 10 Store related errors and problems.

Press Windows  + R keys to open the run command box. Type path below and press Enter.

%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\  

Or you can navigate to (  C: with system root drive and <USERNAME> with your user account name. AppData folder is hidden by default, make sure you have set to show hidden files and folders.)

C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState

Under the local state folder If you see a folder named “Cache”, then rename it to “Cache.OLD” Then Create a new folder and name it Cache. That’s all Restart the computer and on the next login Run the troubleshooter. check the problem is resolved, Microsoft Store working properly.

Reinstall Microsoft Store

If the problem still persists, then you might have to reinstall Microsoft Store to give it a clean slate. To do this Press Windows + I to open settings, click on apps, Then click Apps & features.

Scroll down and look for the Microsoft Store app, click on it and select advanced options.

Now Click Reset, and you’ll receive a confirmation button. Click Reset and close the window. Restart your computer and check if the problem has been sorted out.

Create a new User Account on your computer

Still, you didn’t find the solution try to create a new local account on your computer (with Administrative privileges) and sign-in with the new account. If the Settings app or all other apps are working, then transfer your personal data from the old account to the new one.

To create a  new User Account on your Windows 10 follow below steps.

Click on start menu, search type cmd, from search results right-click on the command prompt and select run as administrator. At the command prompt window, type the following command to create a new user account

net user UserName  /add

* Replace the  UserName  with your preferred  username:

Then give this command to add the new user account to the Local Administrators Group:

net localgroup administrators UserName /add

e.g. If the new username is “User1” then you have to give this command:
net localgroup administrators User1 /add

Sign out and log in with the new user. And check you will get rid of Microsoft Store problems.

Reset app packages

If none of the solutions presented above solved the problem, we’ll try to address it with one final step. Namely, as you already know, Microsoft Store is the built-in feature and can’t be reinstalled in a standard way. But, with some advanced Windows features, users are able to reset app packages, that’s somewhat analog to the reinstallation procedure.

This operation can be performed with PowerShell and this is how:

1. Right-click Start and open PowerShell (Admin).
2. In the command line, copy-paste the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

1. Restart your PC but don’t open Microsoft Store or any apps on the next login.
2. Type cmd on the start menu search, right-click on Command Prompt and select run as Administrator.
3. In the command line, type WSReset.exe and press Enter.
4. check Microsoft Store started normally, there are no more problems while downloading or updating apps.