Fix Store Error 0x80073d0a

Method 1: Reset Microsoft Store Cache (Primary Fix)

Corrupted cache causes most 0x80073d0a errors. WSReset clears cache, restores installation capability.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type wsreset.exe (no spaces) and press Enter
3. Command Prompt Window Opens:
   • Black/blank Command Prompt window appears
   • No text displays—this is completely normal
   • Window stays open for 10-30 seconds
   • Do NOT close window manually
4. Wait for Automatic Process:
   • WSReset working in background silently
   • Clearing Store cache directories
   • Removing corrupted installation metadata
   • Deleting broken download queues
   • Clearing license cache
5. Window closes automatically when complete
6. Microsoft Store opens automatically with clean cache
7. After Store Opens:
   • Wait 2-3 minutes for Store to fully initialize
   • Store rebuilds cache from scratch
   • Downloads fresh catalog data
8. What WSReset Does NOT Delete:
   • Your installed apps remain untouched
   • App data and settings preserved
   • Microsoft account stays signed in
   • Purchase history intact
9. Try installing or updating an app
10. Check if 0x80073d0a resolved

Method 2: Re-register All Store Apps with PowerShell (Deep Fix)

AppX registration database corrupted. PowerShell command rebuilds entire registration database.

1. Right-click Start menu
2. Select Windows PowerShell (Admin)
3. If prompted by UAC: Click Yes
4. PowerShell window opens with admin privileges
5. Copy and paste this command exactly:
   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
6. Press Enter to execute
7. What Happens:
   • Command runs for 3-8 minutes
   • Red error text appears—this is NORMAL
   • Red errors for system apps that can't be re-registered (immaterial, ignore)
   • Command processes all installed UWP apps
   • Re-registers each app in Windows AppX database
   • Rebuilds package manifests
   • Fixes registration conflicts
8. Expected Output:
   • Multiple red "deployment failed" messages → Normal for protected system apps
   • Some apps successfully re-register (no message)
   • Process completes returning to PowerShell prompt
9. Common Errors You Can Ignore:
   • "package is already installed for the current user"
   • "deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CF9"
   • "The app package's manifest is invalid"
   • These refer to system apps—harmless
10. After completion: Close PowerShell
11. Restart Computer (important—finalizes registration changes)
12. After restart: Open Microsoft Store
13. Try installing or updating apps

Method 3: Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Automated troubleshooter detects and fixes Store configuration problems causing 0x80073d0a.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click Update & Security
3. Click Troubleshoot in left sidebar
4. Click Additional troubleshooters
5. Scroll to find Windows Store Apps
6. Click on it to select
7. Click Run the troubleshooter button
8. Troubleshooter Starts Diagnostic:
   • "Detecting problems" phase (2-4 minutes)
   • Checks Store app package registration
   • Verifies Store cache integrity
   • Tests Store service status
   • Validates system date/time
   • Checks available storage space
9. If Problems Detected:
   • Troubleshooter lists specific issues found
   • Options shown: "Apply this fix" or "Skip"
   • Click Apply this fix for each issue
10. Common Fixes Troubleshooter Applies:
    • Resets Store cache automatically
    • Re-registers Store app
    • Restarts Windows Update service
    • Clears Store license cache
    • Fixes Windows time synchronization
11. After completion: Review troubleshooter report
12. Click Close
13. Restart computer
14. Test Microsoft Store

Method 4: Install Pending Windows Updates

Incomplete Windows Updates leave Store in unstable state. Installing pending updates resolves conflicts.

1. Press Windows + I → Update & Security
2. Click Windows Update in left sidebar
3. Click Check for updates button
4. Windows searches for available updates (1-3 minutes)
5. If Updates Found:
   • Shows list of pending updates
   • May include:
     • Cumulative Updates (monthly security updates)
     • Feature Updates (major version upgrades)
     • Microsoft Store updates
     • Definition updates
6. Click Download or Download and install
7. Wait for all updates to download (time varies by size)
8. After download: Updates install automatically
9. If Restart Required:
   • Message: "Restart required to finish installing updates"
   • Click Restart now
   • Do NOT postpone restart
10. During Restart:
    • "Working on updates" screen appears
    • Shows percentage progress
    • May restart multiple times (normal)
    • Takes 10-45 minutes depending on update size
11. After Windows loads: Open Microsoft Store
12. Try installing app

Method 5: Free Up Storage Space on System Drive

Insufficient disk space prevents app installations. Freeing space allows Store operations.

1. Check Current Free Space:
2. Open File Explorer (Windows + E)
3. Click This PC
4. Look at Windows (C:) drive
5. Check "Free space" amount
6. If Less Than 10 GB Free: Likely causing 0x80073d0a
7. Run Disk Cleanup:
8. Right-click Windows (C:)
9. Select Properties
10. Click Disk Cleanup button
11. Disk Cleanup calculates removable files (2-5 minutes)
12. Select Items to Delete:
    • ✓ Temporary files
    • ✓ Recycle Bin
    • ✓ Thumbnails
    • ✓ Previous Windows installations (if present—huge space saver)
    • ✓ Windows Update Cleanup
    • ✓ Delivery Optimization Files
13. Click Clean up system files (shows more options)
14. Select additional items
15. Click OK → Delete Files
16. Cleanup runs (5-20 minutes)
17. Use Storage Sense (Optional but Recommended):
18. Settings → System → Storage
19. Click on C: drive
20. Shows what's using space:
    • Apps & features
    • Temporary files
    • Documents, Pictures, etc.
21. Click Temporary files → Delete unwanted temp files
22. Uninstall large unused apps if needed
23. Target: At least 15-20 GB free space
24. Try Microsoft Store again

Method 6: Reset Microsoft Store App Completely

Store app itself corrupted beyond cache reset. Full reset reinstalls Store app from scratch.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click Apps
3. Click Apps & features
4. In search box: Type Microsoft Store
5. Click on Microsoft Store in results
6. Click Advanced options link
7. Advanced Options Page Opens
8. First Try: Repair
   • Scroll to "Reset" section
   • Click Repair button
   • Checkmark appears when complete
   • Test Store—if still 0x80073d0a, proceed to Reset
9. Full Reset (if Repair didn't fix):
10. ⚠️ Warning: This deletes Store app data and preferences
11. In same "Reset" section
12. Click Reset button
13. Confirmation popup: "This app's data, including your preferences and sign-in details, will be deleted."
14. Click Reset to confirm
15. Reset Process (1-3 minutes):
    • Microsoft Store app completely uninstalled
    • All Store data deleted
    • Store app reinstalled from Windows system files
    • Restored to factory default state
16. Checkmark appears: "This app has been reset"
17. Close Settings
18. Open Start Menu → Find and click Microsoft Store
19. Store opens like first-time setup
20. Sign in with Microsoft account
21. Try installing app

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Error 0x80073d0a only occurs with specific apps, others install fine. Why?

A: App-specific 0x80073d0a indicates identity conflict or residual registration: (1) Previous installation remnants: You previously installed this specific app, uninstalled it, but Windows didn't fully remove app's registration entry from AppX database. When you try reinstalling, Store detects "existing" registration (phantom entry), throws 0x80073d0a conflict. Other apps without prior installation history work fine. Fix: PowerShell re-registration command (Method 2) cleans phantom registrations. (2) Desktop vs Store version conflict: You have desktop Win32 version installed (e.g., Spotify desktop), try installing Store version—both claim same app identity, Windows rejects Store version with 0x80073d0a. Check: Settings → Apps, search for app name, if two versions listed or desktop version exists, uninstall before installing Store version. (3) Corrupted partial download: Previous download attempt for this specific app interrupted mid-installation, left corrupted package staging files. Store tries to resume installation, finds broken package, fails. Fix: WSReset (Method 1) clears download queue. (4) Beta vs Release version conflict: If you're Xbox Insider or Windows Insider, may have beta version of app registered, conflicts with public Store release version.

Q: WSReset and PowerShell re-registration didn't fix 0x80073d0a. What's next?

A: Advanced troubleshooting for persistent errors: (1) Create new user account test: Settings → Accounts → Family & other users → Add someone else to this PC. Create local account, sign in, test Microsoft Store. If Store works on new account: original user profile has corrupted AppX database beyond standard repair. Solution: Migrate to new profile or create new Microsoft account. (2) Manually delete AppX database: (Advanced—backup first) Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_* and C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\LocalState. Delete these folders entirely (Store closed first). Re-launch Store—recreates database from scratch. (3) Reset Windows Update components: Open Command Prompt (Admin), run: net stop wuauserv, net stop bits, ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old, net start wuauserv, net start bits. Restarts Windows Update infrastructure that Store depends on. (4) Check Windows App Readiness Service: services.msc → find "App Readiness" → ensure Startup type is "Manual" and Status can be "Running" or blank (triggered automatically). If disabled, Store installations fail. (5) DISM RestoreHealth: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth—repairs Windows component store corruptions affecting Store. (6) In-place upgrade: Last resort—download Windows Media Creation Tool, "Upgrade this PC now", keep files and apps—reinstalls Windows preserving data, repairs system files beyond what DISM can fix.

Q: Can I install .appx or .msix files directly to bypass 0x80073d0a?

A: Yes, sideloading bypasses Store but has limitations: (1) Obtaining .appx/.msix files: Some apps allow direct download of installation packages from developer websites (e.g., Disney+ provides .appx for manual installation). Or use third-party stores like Microsoft Store for Business. Cannot extract .appx from another PC—packages tied to specific system. (2) Enable Developer Mode: Settings → Update & Security → For developers → toggle ON "Developer Mode". Allows sideloading unsigned apps. (3) Install via PowerShell: Right-click .appx file → Open with Windows PowerShell → type Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\path\to\app.appx". Installs bypassing Store entirely. (4) Limitations of sideloading: No automatic updates—must manually download and install updates. No license validation—works only for free apps or apps you own licenses for. Some apps verify Store installation—may refuse to run if sideloaded. DRM content (Netflix, Disney+) may not work without Store licensing. Recommendation: Sideloading is temporary workaround—should still fix Store properly using Methods 1-6 for long-term functionality and automatic updates. Sideloading useful for testing if specific app package is problem vs Store itself.

Q: Error message says "You'll need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link". How to fix?

A: This error indicates Microsoft Store app itself is unregistered or broken: Causes: (1) Store app accidentally uninstalled (possible via PowerShell commands), (2) Store app registration completely corrupted, Windows doesn't recognize "ms-windows-store://" protocol handler, (3) Recent Windows Update left Store in broken state. Fix Method 1—Re-register Store via PowerShell: Open PowerShell (Admin), run: Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}. Re-registers Store app, restores protocol handler. Fix Method 2—Reinstall Store via PowerShell (Windows 10 version 1809+): Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage (uninstalls Store), then Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" (reinstalls). Fix Method 3—Windows Store Troubleshooter: Run Store Apps troubleshooter (Method 3 in guide)—automatically detects and fixes protocol handler registration. After fix: Clicking "Open Microsoft Store" links or ms-windows-store:// URLs should launch Store normally. This is different from 0x80073d0a but often occurs together with Store corruption.

Q: I reset Store but now my purchased apps disappeared. How to restore?

A: Purchased apps not actually lost—just need to re-download: Resetting Store (Method 6) deletes local Store data and cache but does NOT delete apps themselves or purchase records from Microsoft account. (1) Re-download owned apps: Open Microsoft Store → click profile picture (top-right) → click "Library". Shows all apps you ever downloaded/purchased on this Microsoft account. Click "Install" next to each app to re-download. (2) Apps auto-reinstall for same account: If signed into same Microsoft account, Store automatically recognizes ownership—shows "Install" not "Buy" for purchased apps. Purchase history tied to Microsoft account, not local computer. (3) In-app purchases and subscriptions intact: Subscriptions (Game Pass, Office 365) linked to Microsoft account, automatically restored when you sign in to apps. In-app purchases (games' virtual currency) also tied to account, restored after app reinstallation and sign-in. (4) App data and settings: Some apps store data in cloud (OneDrive, Xbox cloud saves)—automatically syncs after reinstall. Locally-stored app data deleted by Store reset—unfortunately unrecoverable unless you had backup. Prevention: Before resetting Store, note which apps installed—screenshot Library page. After reset, batch-reinstall all apps from Library.