Microsoft Store lets users install apps and games on up to 10 devices at a time. If you try to exceed this limit, Microsoft blocks further app installations on the device. In that case, you’ll need to revoke the Microsoft Store license on one of your devices. This post shows you how to cancel or revoke Microsoft Store app licenses on a device.
First, let’s look at why the licensing model is required. Licensing gives customers control over their apps and keeps them connected to those apps across multiple PCs they use over time. It also gives developers built-in protection against casual piracy, so they can confidently build a business around developing apps for Windows 11/10 PCs.
This raises one question: Why does the Store ask you to sign in even to get free apps? The Store’s licensing service registers a license to your Microsoft account for each app you acquire. So, this is how it remembers which apps you’ve acquired. It then uses this information to make it easy for you to quickly reacquire those apps on another PC. It also saves a copy of that license on your PC, so Windows knows you have the right to use the app on that PC, get updates and write reviews.
How to revoke or cancel Microsoft Store app license on a Windows device
To cancel the license for Microsoft Store apps on a Windows 11/10 device, you need to follow these steps. You can then use the unused license on a new device.
- Login to your Microsoft Account
- Navigate to Devices > Microsoft Store device management
- Select the device and click Unlink
- Confirm the prompt to remove the device.
Let’s go over the steps in more detail.
Go to account.microsoft.com and enter your Email ID and Password.
Once you log in to your Microsoft Account, open the Devices page.
1] Access the Microsoft Store device management page via your Microsoft account
Under your Account page, follow the link to Devices > Microsoft Store device management. There, click on the Manage option.
2] Remove the Microsoft Store app license
On this page, you can find the list of your devices that are currently registered for Microsoft Store app installs or the Devices linked to Microsoft Store. The section also shows the date when the apps were first installed on a particular device.
Click the Unlink option adjacent to the device you want to remove. An Unlink your device confirmation pop-up will appear. Press the Unlink button in that pop-up.
That’s it! You’ll now have a Microsoft Store app license revoked on one device.
How do I disable Microsoft app Store in Windows 11?
If you want to disable access to Microsoft Store app on your Windows 11/10 PC, then you can do this using Group Policy Editor. Open the Group Policy Editor window using the Search box and navigate to the following path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store
Double-click on the Turn off the Store application settings, select the Enabled option and press the OK button.
But in Windows 11/10 Pro now and later, you will find that you will not be able to disable Microsoft Store. It is available in Windows 11/10 Enterprise & Education only
How do I fix Microsoft Store stuck on acquiring license?
If Microsoft Store is stuck on Acquiring license while downloading or updating apps, then make sure your date, time, and region settings are correct. If that doesn’t help, reset the Microsoft Store, clear its cache or re-register the app to fix the problem.
