In Windows 11/10, the built-in apps enjoy the new Modern UWP GUI. These apps belong to an essential category, which a user needs in many instances, such as News, Weather, etc. Today, I upgraded my PC and when I tried to open the built-in UWP apps, they kept crashing. I tried to reinstall the apps, but it didn’t help me either. I was just unable to repair the Microsoft Store apps!
I tried the recent fixes and others mentioned in the above link to solve this issue, which includes:
- Running Windows App Troubleshooter
- Re-registering Windows Settings, Microsoft Store
- Installed all the pending Windows Updates
I ran the PowerShell command in Windows PowerShell and then tried again to reinstall:
ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Get-AppxPackage -Allusers | Remove-AppxPackage
I also deleted this registry key for the problematic profile:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\[UserSid]
The fixes we’ve listed above were aggressive steps to solve the issue. Unfortunately, nothing helped us. Finally, we came around a solution on a TechNet thread which enabled us to fix the issue. Here is how to fix this problem:
Can’t Reinstall or Repair Built-in Microsoft Store Apps
1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type Regedt32.exe in the Run dialog box, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. In the left pane, highlight the HKEY_USERS, and from the File menu, select Load Hive.
3. In the following window, go to the problematic username (C:\Users\USER NAME), type File name as ntuser.dat, and click Open.
4. For the Key Name, type the exact username of the previous step. Click OK. It will load the hive, and a subkey (HKEY_USERS\USER NAME) of the same username will be added to the HKEY_USERS key.
5. For this new subkey (HKEY_USERS\USER NAME), go to the following location:
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeviceAccess
Right-click on the DeviceAccess key and select Permissions.
6. For the Permissions window, you’ll find that Full Control is unchecked, so check it and click Apply followed by OK.
7. When you’re done, select the subkey created in step 4, i.e., HKEY_USERS\USER NAME. From the File menu, choose Unload Hive.
8. Finally, confirm here:
So we’re done with the fix. Now you have to close Registry Editor and reboot the system. The issue must be completely fixed.
That’s it!
How do I fix a corrupted Windows Store?
The best way to fix a corrupted or not working Windows Store is by resetting it. Go to Windows Settings > Apps & features > Apps > Windows Store and use the Reset button. You will have to sign in again using the Microsoft account. Another way is to use DISM or SFC command, which can fix any corrupted file on Windows PC.
After typing (ntuser.dat) and click open it give me this message
http://sdrv.ms/1eQgFOl
^^ You’re loading hive for currently logged in user. If you’ve multiple accounts on your system, log in with administrator account and load hive for the offending profile.
Hello i am having the same problem and i am using a adminstrator and how do you remove HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAppxAppxAllUserStore[UserSid]
thanks
Hello Kapril! I am too having the same problem and I am using an administrator account and it is my only account on my new computer. Please guide me on how to load the hive with an administrator account. Should I create another user on my computer? But then I am having issues with this account (admin)…. So would it help if I create another user account? Please help, as this method is the only one that I didn’t try facing the repair issue, and I am stuck in the middle. Thank you!
^^ Although I have’nt tested this but you can create another admin account. Then change current account to standard. Follow the process mentioned in article and then restore the status of account from standard to admin. Log in to original account and delete the secondary or another admin we just created here. Done!
Hi Kapil, I’m hoping your strategy will work, I’ve wasted hours trying to find a solution so far. I have the same problem as Ahmed and Radu. I logged into another administrator account and changed the current account to standard but I got the same message when I returned to the Admin account to try again. Is there any other option? many thanks
^^ You can give a try to this too:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/re-register-windows-store-apps
^^ Glad we could help :)
I didn’t find the DeviceAccess key !!!
I only have one account or user which is admin, and stuck because Load Hive is not highlighted to click on it. Not sure what is to do.
Thanks for telling use this is strictly for multi-user installs…really let the air outta my tires.
can u please explain what to do in step 3?
Can’t unload hive. Access is denied…. Using local Admin account to change different account.
first u have to click HKEY_USERS in left panel then u’ll be able to click load hive.
This is simply awesome it was my first try and it is fixed. i was unable to do it with your first instructions but https://www.thewindowsclub.com/re-register-windows-store-apps helped me.Thank u :)