Six Days and counting: MS store - Missing, Not Found + Windows Apps don't work

  • Thread starter Thread starter RealFluffyBunnies
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RealFluffyBunnies

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After log in, Nvidia control panel states it needs installing. Clicking the link to bring up the store to download states the ms-store product id can't be found and I need to check my spelling. After running wsreset.exe, it says PurgeCaches can't be found either. I ran this command:


powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml


In order to restore it, but came up with the error stating WinStore\AppXManifest.xml does not exist. I checked for myself in the file path, and confirmed that the WinStore folder doesn't exist even with hidden folders turned on.


On top of the issues at hand, the windows explorer task bar only allows interactions with the internet explorer icon, the file explorer, and right clicking the start menu, and task bar. Essentially meaning, windows apps are toast for the time being. I've being researching and trying to figure out problems of this nature for the past six days.



The History behind the problem/from the beginning:


Tried to change the .ini file of a Microsoft Store game, thought it was to be changed in the WindowsApps folder. Changed the permissions for that folder, and after some research realized where the correct folder was and attempted to reset the permissions/ownership on that folder. Everything returned back to normal until I restarted my computer for the night, and MS store would open and "work" but not allow for playing the original game I tried changing the .ini file for. So, I checked the permissions again and everything looked fine there. I checked whether other games would install, and they would. So, I figured the easiest thing to do was re-install the game. I did this through the Xbox app or the MS store, not sure on that one. It ended up not uninstalling it. It left all the files behind and essentially broke the ability to re-install the game.


I ended up troubleshooting the MS store through the settings, running the wsreset.exe, running sfc /scannow, and re-registering the store through powershell. It ended up throwing errors on the previous "uninstalled" game folder. I saw other errors on other game folders and wondered if it was just the lack of needing to re-register those. Kind of wish I would have researched into that more, but you live and learn.


Next up, I decided that since re-installing, resetting, and re-registering the MS-store app, that a reset of windows was probably best. Since I wouldn't lose my files, I was okay with downloading apps again. Did that, and all windows apps became visible but un-openable. The errors were now revolving around access denied errors. I ran the same commands as before, and access denied errors were happening on anything to do with the MS store like re-registering or resetting the permissions on the folders. After taking a look in the properties folders of the WindowsApps, and I think Program Files even, the owner was completely unset. It used to be trustedInstaller. In fact, the trustedInstaller didn't exist in the users panel.


Lastly, I loaded into the starting troubleshooter windows screen and went into the advanced settings/cmd prompt. I figured I needed to reset permissions when things weren't running. So, I researched into icacls commands and what ones do what in order to systematically reset permissions across the board. I ran a command like icacls c:/ * /reset, then specifically grabbed the program files, and windowsApps folder to reset the permissions. Then, re-installed windows again. This fixed a lot, but lead me to the problems of MS-store not being found and overall windows apps not working. However, nothing is throwing a access denied error anymore. So, a small win.


Summary of what I've tried:

  • MS-Store Troubleshooter
  • sfc/ scannow
  • re-registering store through powershell
  • wsreset.exe
  • re-installing windows with keep my personal files only
  • resetting ownership of WindowsApps folders to TrustedInstaller
  • resetting permissions through icacls reset commands
  • cleaning/restoring health with the dism.exe

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