Nothing ever downloads and installs on Microsoft Store.

Uninstall third-party firewall and antivirus software.

Completely Uninstall Avast software using aswClear.exe:

1. Download aswClear.exe on to your desktop
2. Start Windows in Safe Mode
3. Open (execute) the uninstall utility
4. If you installed avast! in a different folder than the default, browse for it. (Note: Be careful! The content of any folder you choose will be deleted!)
5. Click REMOVE
6. Restart your computer

Reset Windows Firewall to find out if the problem resolves.


Sometimes you might be able to fix the problem with Windows Store simply by resetting Windows Update services. Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

1. When Command Prompt starts, run the following commands:
   
   • net stop wuauserv
   • net stop bits
   • rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start bits
   
   

After doing that, try to start Windows Store again and check if the problem with Windows Store games is still there.




To reset the Microsoft Store app in Windows 10, do the following.

• Open Settings.
• Go to Apps -> Apps & features.
• On the right side, look for Microsoft Store and click it.
• The advanced options link will appear. Click it.
• On the next page, click on the Reset button to reset Microsoft Store to default settings.

Run the troubleshooter: Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, and then from the list select Windows Store apps > [B]Run the troubleshooter.


Install the latest updates.


Log out of Microsoft Store, according to users, if you’re having issues while downloading Microsoft Store games, you might want to try logging out and logging back in.


Start Microsoft Store.
Click the user icon in the top right corner and select your account.
Can't download from Microsoft Store Windows 10
Click the Sign out button.
Windows 10 Store not downloading apps
Select the user icon and choose Sign in from the menu.
Can't install apps from Windows Store
Select your account from the list and click Continue.
Windows Store stuck on downloading
Enter your password and you’ll be signed in to Microsoft Store again.

After making these changes, check if the problem with Windows Store games is resolved.



If nothing works create new user account to check problem resolves.

Did everything you mentioned. Microsoft Store still behaves the same way. Also, those specs were old, I don't use Avast! anymore.

It was stuck on "Acquiring license" on one of them, but the download/installation still hung all the same. Nothing ever seems to begin.

Repair install Windows 10.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

The Windows Refresh actually worked. Thanks. I thought it was more complicated than it was. I wish there had been a way to fix the store without doing that though.

I'm glad to hear your issue has been resolved, thank you for letting us know that all is now well!