How to fix “ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches” error in Windows 10/11

What is “ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches” error

If you tried to run the WSReset.exe tool for restoring your Windows Store, there is a chance you received an error message with the following text – “ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches. The app didn’t start.”. When running the previously-mentioned utility, Windows uses the ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches feature to get rid of locally stored cache accumulated in Windows Store folders. The reason why it results in failure is usually that there is a lack of certain permissions on the operating account. Below, we are going to show you what can be done in order to fix this issue and also show some methods to restore your Windows Store differently.

1. Run Windows Store Troubleshooter

Before trying further solutions below, we recommend you first use Windows Store Troubleshooter. Often underestimated in their efficiency, in-built Windows troubleshooting abilities may sometimes be enough to get the issue resolved. To do so, follow the steps listed below:

1. Type Troubleshoot settings into the searching bar (next to Start Menu) and open it.
2. On the right side go to Additional troubleshooters and scroll down the list to choose Windows Store Apps.
3. Then click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Once finished, restart your computer and see if anything changes.

2. Enable the License Manager Service

License Manager Service is an essential part of infrastructure support for the Windows Store. In case it is disabled, the content acquired through the Windows Store will not function properly. Note that this service is present only in Windows 10. Window 11 users can skip this method and move on to others below. License Manager Service can often be turned off when users download-install third-party optimization utilities. Luckily, it is easy to get it back running with these easy steps here:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching loop next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, copy-paste this command sc config LicenseManager start= demand and click Enter.
4. When the process is done, restart your computer.

3. Reset permission for Windows Store

Some users capitalized on simply resetting basic permissions for Windows Store. This can be easily done via the same Command Prompt that we already applied above.

1. Open Command Prompt as we did before.
2. Copy-paste this command icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /reset /t /c /q and click Enter.
3. As soon as the process ends up completed, restart your computer.

4. Alter Permissions in Windows Registry

The next steps underneath will focus on changing certain permissions inside Windows Registry. As mentioned, the reason you might be facing the “ms-windows-store:PurgeCaches” error is that there are not enough permissions assigned to the account in use. Therefore, let’s try to grant them by doing the following:

1. Press Windows key + R buttons together, type regedit and press Enter to open. Also, confirm the User Account Control (UAC) window if prompted.
2. On the left pane of Registry Editor, navigate through this path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Repository\Packages.
3. Then, right-click on Packages and select Permissions.
4. After this, click on Advanced and then Change on top of the window.
5. It is important to make sure that the Owner is set as System.
6. If there is no System written in the third box, you have to write it yourself and then click on Check Names.
7. Once done, click on OK to confirm and move your eyes all the way down to the option called Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object.
8. Choose it, click Apply and then OK afterwards to save the assigned changes.

Finally, close the window and restart your PC to check if the issue will get resolved.

5. Use PowerShell to re-register Windows Store

As an alternative to using the WSReset.exe tool, you can also try and perform the same resetting via Windows PowerShell. This will only require you to enter one command, which can be found in the steps below:

1. Right-click on Start Menu and choose PowerShell (Admin). Click Yes in the UAC window to allow opening.
2. Once in the PowerShell console, copy-paste this command $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest and then press Enter.
3. Wait until the process ends up complete and reboot your PC to see if something has changed.

6. Reinstall Windows Default Apps

This method is more advanced, and it also involves the usage of Windows PowerShell. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully, performing each step given. Note that this step will reinstall all default Windows apps such as Calendar, Mail, Camera, Photos, and Windows Store as well. Do not worry, your personal files will not be affected in any way during the process.

1. First, it is important to make sure you can see Hidden items. You can do it by going to This PC, navigating to View on top and then choosing Hidden items.
2. Once this is done, go to C:\Program Files and locate a folder called WindowsApps.
3. Right-click on it and choose Properties. Go to Security and then choose Advanced.
4. Next, we have to change the owner of the key. Click on Change (highlighted in blue).
5. Then, you have to enter the name of your user account into under the field that says Enter the object name to select and finish by clicking OK.
6. Now go back to the Security tab of the WindowsApps folder’s Properties window, click on Edit to change permissions and select the personal user account you typed in the steps above. You should also change permissions to Full Control and apply the changes.

The process of reinstalling Windows Apps is not completed yet, this was only the preliminary stage where we set things up for the reinstallation itself. Here is what you should do next:

7. Open PowerShell (Admin) the same way we did in the previous method.
8. Then, copy-paste this command Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml} and press Enter to initiate.
9. Once done, reboot your computer and see if something has changed to the positive side.

7. Create a new user account

Sometimes creating a new account may also aid in rectifying the issue. A new account means it will operate from scratch with zero modifications made, including those related to permissions.

1. Right-click on the Start Menu button and choose Settings. You can also do it with Windows key + I combination.
2. Go to Accounts > Family & other users.
3. On the right pane, scroll down to the Other users section and click Add someone else to this PC.
4. Now choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
5. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
6. Then enter the username and password for the new user and click Next.

Summary

We hope it is no longer necessary to search for troubleshooting articles on this topic. As we said, failure to execute the WSReset.exe tool is often a permission issue, which can be addressed by tweaking certain settings in Windows Registry. If you have or will have any other issues related to errors or malware in the future, feel free to look for them on our website. We publish lots of new articles each day to help our visitors get rid of errors and malware fast and without hustle.