Fix: Windows Store Cache May Be Damaged Windows 10

A couple of Windows 10 users tried to install apps and extensions from the Windows Store have reported receiving the error 0x80073D05. This error further indicates “Windows Store Cache May Be Damaged.” and offers to reset the Windows Store. Even after resetting the store, some users have still complained there’s no change in the issue.

If you’re also experiencing the same issue, we’ll provide possible solutions to provide a lasting fix to this problem. It’s not yet clear why this error emerges, but till we find out, we try to apply the fixes in this article one after the other, if the former doesn’t work.

Solution 1: Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

1. Press the Windows Key + I to launch the Windows Settings.
2. In the Windows Settings, navigate to Update and security > Troubleshoot and select Windows Store Apps at the bottom of the list and click Run the troubleshooter.
   
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to find and troubleshoot any issues with the store. If you encountered another error which says “Windows Store cache and licenses may be corrupt.”, like a few others have, refer to subsequent methods.
4. Try downloading items from the store again to confirm if the issue has been solved.

Solution 2: Clearing the Windows Store Cache.

1. Open the Start menu and type cmd. Right-click on the Command Prompt icon and click on ‘Run as Administrator’. Accept the UAC prompt when it comes up.
   
2. In the command prompt, type wsreset.exe
   
   
3. When this is done, you’ll see a reporting indicating “The cache for the Store was cleared. You can now browse the Store for apps.”, or the Windows Store will open up automatically for you to start downloading apps.If you see an error message saying the “Windows Store cache may be damaged.”, follow the next steps or move straight to downloading new applications.
4. In the command prompt, type:
   explorer %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState and rename or delete the cache It’s fine if you don’t see anything there.
5. Restart the system and try to install new apps from the Windows Store.

Solution 3: Resetting the Windows Store

If the above solutions don’t work in solving the error message, we can try reinstalling the Windows store using PowerShell. Do note that you need administrative privileges to complete this solution.

1. Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “PowerShell” in the dialogue box, right-click on the result and select “Run as administrator”.

2. Now we need to gather information regarding the install location of your Windows Store before we proceed with the reinstallation process. Copy and paste the following command in PowerShell and press Enter.

Get-AppxPackage -name *store*

3. This command will give information regarding Windows Store and all the applications connected to it. Browse to the bottom and copy the install location.

Note: The install location should contain “…..Microsoft.WindowsStore……..” in it. Don’t copy other install locations by mistake. Right-click on the copied text to copy it to the clipboard.

4. Paste the copied text into the Notepad. The text should look something like this:

InstallLocation   : C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore_11708.1001.30.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

5. Now execute the following command on PowerShell to uninstall Windows Store.

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage

Since we are done with the uninstallation, we can proceed with installing a fresh copy to the file location you saved earlier. Close the current PowerShell, restart your computer and then proceed with the following instructions. Continuing with the same PowerShell window will likely cause problems and the installation might prompt that the package is missing or corrupt.

1. Extract the following information you copied to Notepad in steps 3 and 4 above.

Microsoft.WindowsStore_11708.1001.30.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

2. Execute the following command in PowerShell. Replace “StorePackageName” with the information we extracted in the previous step.

Add-AppxPackage -register “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\StorePackageName\AppxManifest.xml” –DisableDevelopmentMode

After replacing the information, the command should look something like this:

Add-AppxPackage -register “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\ Microsoft.WindowsStore_11708.1001.30.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe \AppxManifest.xml” –DisableDevelopmentMode

Reboot your computer before opening Windows Store.

Solution 4: Combining AppXPackage and WSReset

Another thing which we can try to resolve our error is to combine both (Get-AppXPackage and WSReset) and after rebooting our PC, try launching Windows Store. There was a lot of positive response that this particular solution worked flawlessly so let’s give it a shot.

1. Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “command prompt” in the dialogue box, right click on the result and select “Run as administrator”.
2. In the elevated command prompt, type “powershell” and press Enter.
3. Now the execute the following command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

4. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter. This process might take its time so be patient and let it finish.

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

5. DO NOT open the Windows Store yet. Restart your computer by clicking the Windows start power button.
6. Once the computer has restarted, DO NOT open the Store just yet. Open the elevated command prompt again and type the following command:

wsreset.exe

7. Reboot your computer again. Now open Windows Store and check if the problem got solved.

Solution 5: Updating Time and Language Settings

Another unusual solution which seemed to work was updating the time and language settings of your account. As we all know, Windows syncs your time according to the time zones automatically. If you have an incorrect time zone, it is likely to cause bizarre problems.

1. Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “settings” in the dialogue box and open the result.

2. Check if your date and time are set correctly. If not, uncheck the options which say “set time automatically” and “set timezone automatically”.

3. Click “Change” underneath Change date and time. Set your time accordingly and also select your appropriate time zone. Also, disable “Auto-sync time”.

4. Once done, reboot your computer and check if Store works as expected.

Solution 6: Changing Privacy options

We can also try changing all your privacy options by disabling advertising ids. It will also disable tracking about your application launches. You can always revert the changes if this doesn’t work for you.

1. Press Windows + S, type “Settings” and open the result which comes forth.
2. Click the option of “Privacy” from the list of categories available.

3. Uncheck all three options present. Reboot your computer and check if Windows Store is opening as expected.

Solution 7: Running the Troubleshooter in an Administrator account

If you are using a limited account, you should contact your administrator to make you an administrator. It seems that due to limited privileges of the limited account, the troubleshooter doesn’t work at its best.

After you are made an administrator, follow method 1 and 2 both. Don’t open Windows Store until you are done executing both the methods and have rebooted your computer.

Solution 8: Uninstalling built-in Microsoft Apps

Many users reported that some other Microsoft application was interfering with the Windows Store and causing it to crash. Although this seems to be an unlikely thing, it happens and is reported as a bug. This solution is mainly making wild guesses of which application is causing the trouble. However, it is worth a shot.

As an example, we are going to show how to uninstall “Movies & TV”, which is known to conflict with Windows Store. At the end of the solution, we will list all the commands which can be used to uninstall different applications along with the command to reinstall them.

1. Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “PowerShell” in the dialogue box, right-click on the result and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Type the following command and press Enter. This will uninstall “Movies & TV” from your computer.

Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage

3. Exit PowerShell, check if the application is indeed uninstalled. If it is, reboot your computer and try launching Windows Store again. You can easily install the application back directly from the store by searching for it.

You can also reinstall all (or one) preinstalled apps with a single command in PowerShell:

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

Here are all the command listed to uninstall different Microsoft application from the PowerShell.

Uninstall 3D Builder: “Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Alarms and Clock: “Get-AppxPackage *windowsalarms* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Calculator: “Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Calendar and Mail: “Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Xbox: “Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Weather: “Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Voice Recorder: “Get-AppxPackage *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Sports: “Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Camera: “Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Get Office: “Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Get Skype: “Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Get Started: “Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Groove Music: “Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Maps: “Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Money: “Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Movies and TV: “Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall News: “Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall OneNote: “Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall People: “Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Phone Companion: “Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Photos: “Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage”

Uninstall Store: “Get-AppxPackage *windowsstore* | Remove-AppxPackage”