Cannot reinstall Microsoft Store+Apps, Repair install did not work

Windows 10 Version 1909 (OS build 18363.752)

This all seemingly started after uninstalling a game app (Halo).

I first noticed an issue with the photos app. I attempted to open a picture and received this: File system error (-2147219196). I attempted to terminate, then reset, and finally uninstall the app, with hopes of just reinstalling it from the Store. Of course, then the Store app won't open for me either. It doesn't give an error, but just opens and closes.

So, I begin searching around. People recommend using wsreset.exe and eventually I just get this error: Imgur: The magic of the Internet. They recommend using the troubleshooting tool and this happens: Imgur: The magic of the Internet Imgur: The magic of the Internet. I then come across some powershell commands that people have success with, one of which removes all apps with the idea of then restoring them with a similar command. Well, now all my apps are gone and I can no longer even attempt to reset them in the apps portion of the settings, and attempts to redownload them with other powershell commands look like this: Imgur: The magic of the Internet.

As this is happening, I notice my C drive is filling up and it turns out to be temp files.... hundreds of event logs piling up: Imgur: The magic of the Internet. I tried doing a repair install... twice... and nothing. I'm beyond defeated at this point and I'm looking for some help. I can't rap my head around how this all seemingly started from uninstalling something from the store app. This isn't the first time I've had trouble with the store app, but it's on a whole different level right now. I'm just so lost and so sick of trying to do the same things over and over again. I don't have the aptitude or know-how to deal with something like this.

Can anyone please help? At this point it feels like I've either got to find some magic solution from some kind person on the internet or just do a clean install, because would a reset even work at this point if a repair didn't? I just can't believe how much trouble has come from seemingly one uninstall of a store app. I'm losing it . I've done check disk, sfc scans, etc., looked into permissions (as best to my ability), tried powershell commands, repair.... what am I missing? Is there any hope?

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I wasn't sure where to put it. I'm just in need of some help and would grealty appreciate if anyone could try. I haven't slept since they started.

dalchina said:

Welcome to tenforums.

Forgive the obvious question: do you use disk imaging routinely as is tirelessly recommended by tenforums members, and if so, do you have a recent image you could restore? E.g. Macrium Reflect - free- plus large enough external storage for image file sets.

Considering your first error which I have screen OCR'd for you so I can search for it:
ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches File system error (-2147219196).

this site usually gives an intelligent response: (ignore the unfortunate emoji over which I have no control):
Fix: ms-windows-storeurgecaches app didn't start - Appuals.com

That appears to be an excellent response with very specific actions suggested.

However it may be that you have more problems, or your repair attempts have even added problems.


Please note: to post a screenshot, the most helpful way is to use the forum facilities: the icon above your post with tooltip 'Insert Image'. (Tutorial available).

With yours I get things like this:

Unfortunately, I don't have any images to restore to. Not even a restore point because I foolishly had them turned off, for whatever reason. This is not a mistake I will make again.

Thanks for the link though, I spent the last hour going through those suggestions. Unfortunately, nothing seems to have done the trick. I think you're right, I have probably added to the issue with all my attempts at "fixing" whatever is going on here.

sygnus21 said:

If using this tutorial (using WSReset) and/or a Repair Install did not work you "may" have to resort to an OS reinstall.

With all the stuff you've tried and still no resolution who knows what's going one so yeah, a reinstall of the OS may be your only option. Before doing anything else though backup your data!!!

And we here at Windows 10 with an army of tutorials also give good results as well

Yeah, I think I'm gonna need to pick up an external hard drive, it seems. I've never actually made any backups of any sort, or needed to reinstall windows, so this should be a fun adventure, I'm sure. I'm hoping I can get away with just doing a reset, but with my luck, these issues will follow me.

Appreciate the help, fellas.

dalchina said:

Out of curiosity, what happens if you create a new user for test purposes and log in as that user?

Realistically and assuming you have personal data on C: (I try to keep mine off C: ) I strongly suggest you create a backup of that - and it may take some time to work out what you need to back up- and prepare to clean install.

That will mean you need any license info for installed progs (none needed for Win 10). Any giveaways will almost certainly be lost of course.

One way to ensure you have a backup of everything is to create a disk image. Image files can be mounted, and files copied from them. (Note that imaging will fail if there are problems with the file system or disk).

That was actually one of the suggestions from that link earlier, with the idea being that a new user might be able to run wsreset.exe with success. When I attempted to create a new local account through Settings -> Accounts -> Family & Other -> Add someone else to this PC, I couldn't actually get the 'how will this person sign in?' prompt (I now can do this though, for whatever reason, but still troublesome I couldn't before) and had to use this method where you do a windows run for 'user controlpassword2'. So, once I did get a new local account setup, it took a while to log onto it and then I could not access the start or search function with it. I was about to windows+r 'wsreset.exe' without any luck though.

When it comes to a clean install, thankfully, I have every little licensed software on this PC that isn't linked to some sort of account/password that I have documented somewhere. 99% are games, most of which are Steam games and easy to backup from what I see.

- - - Updated - - -

A promising update?

So, I tried making another local account and gave them admin privileges AND THE STORE OPENED!!!! All the windows apps work.

However, back on my actual account, I'm still having issues. It seems like some of the apps have installed fan, but the store is still opening up and closing right away, as well as the photos app. However, the photos app on the new account works perfectly fine.

What the hell is going on? The Windows Store installed fine on the new account, but mine still cannot get it back? Ughh this is so frustrating.

dalchina said:

Stating the obvious I'm afraid, but it does seem uninstalling that game has damaged that user profile- perhaps more.

There are the two basic options of course- to transfer to a new user account or to clean install. Fixing a damaged user profile is uncertain. That said, the symptom of the Store closing immediately rings bells, and is worth searching for.

Store App opens loads for about a second then closes
posts #5, #6


Plenty more results from searching the forum for
store closes immediately

- and you can try re-running
Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter in Windows 10

As the Store is working in the new account, this suggests an in-place upgrade repair install will not help.

At this point, I've pretty much tried everything that has been suggested. A nice fellow I met on reddit has been trying to help me, even going as far as remoting onto my PC and tinkering around with some commands, to no avail. It's just so frustrating to have it work perfectly on this new account lol.

Transferring to the new account seems like the least painful option, but still unfortunate. Is there a good way to go about transferring applications and files? Ideally, I would like to link my microsoft account to that user as well.

Sigh. This is such a headache and all seemingly because of uninstalling a game. I do appreciate all the help and insight you have provided and I hope I'm not being obnoxious. I'm just very green to all of this and it's just been a very frustrating experience. It sounds stupid, but there's something sort of sad about needing to leave this user account behind... there's a sort of nostalgia to it.

badbrain138 said:

A nice fellow I met on reddit has been trying to help me, even going as far as remoting onto my PC and tinkering around with some commands, to no avail.

Probably not a good idea to let a stranger have remote access to your device.