To clear the Microsoft Store cache, press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window opens, runs silently for about 30 seconds, then the Store relaunches with a clean cache. This fixes a Store that won't open, hangs on "Getting things ready…", or refuses to install updates — without signing you out or removing any installed apps. It's the right first step for anyone on Windows 10 or Windows 11 whose Store is misbehaving.

TL;DR

  • Run wsreset.exe via Windows + R to clear the Store cache in ~30 seconds.
  • Clearing the cache does not uninstall apps or sign you out of your Microsoft account.
  • If wsreset fails, reset the Store under Settings › Apps › Installed apps › Microsoft Store › Advanced options › Reset.
  • For error 0x80073CF3 or a missing Store, reinstall it with one PowerShell command.
  • The cache rarely exceeds 1–2 GB; corruption, not size, is the usual reason to reset it.

What is the Microsoft Store cache?

The Microsoft Store cache is a folder of temporary files — app icons, listing screenshots, and update metadata — stored under %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\LocalCache. The Store reads from it to render pages quickly, but when those files become corrupted the app can freeze, show blank tiles, or fail mid-update. Resetting the cache forces the Store to rebuild it from clean copies the next time it launches. It is a routine, low-risk maintenance step, not a repair that touches your installed software or purchases.

How to clear the cache with wsreset.exe

wsreset.exe is Microsoft's built-in, one-command tool that wipes the Store's local cache and relaunches it.

  1. Close Microsoft Store if it is open. If it is frozen, end it via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
  2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  3. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
  4. A blank black Command Prompt window appears — do not close it.
  5. Wait 20–30 seconds until the window closes by itself.
  6. Microsoft Store launches automatically with a fresh cache.

That's the whole process. There is no progress bar, so the silent window is expected behavior, not a hang.

What to do if wsreset didn't fix it

When the Store is deeply broken — missing entirely, throwing error code 0x80073CF3, or stuck on a white screen — a full app reset is the next step.

  1. Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps.
  2. Find Microsoft Store in the list.
  3. Click the ⋯ menu, then Advanced options.
  4. Scroll to Reset and click Reset.
  5. Wait for the checkmark, then reopen the Store.

If even that fails, reinstall the Store through PowerShell:

  1. Open PowerShell as administrator (right-click Start › Terminal (Admin)).
  2. Run: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  3. Reboot and reopen the Store.

Which method should you use?

Symptom Best fix Risk
Store slow, stale tiles, won't update wsreset.exe None — keeps apps and login
Store crashes on launch, blank screen App Reset in Settings Clears Store preferences only
Store missing or error 0x80073CF3 PowerShell re-register None — reinstalls the app shell

Work top to bottom: most problems clear with wsreset alone, so try the lightest fix first.

Is it safe to reset the Microsoft Store cache?

Yes. Clearing the Store cache only removes temporary display and metadata files. It does not uninstall apps or games you've installed from the Store, does not delete your purchase history, and does not sign you out of your Microsoft account. The full Reset option clears the Store's own settings (like layout preferences) but still leaves your installed apps untouched. Nothing here affects personal files, documents, or photos elsewhere on your PC.

How big does the Store cache get?

The Microsoft Store cache rarely grows past 1–2 GB, so it is seldom worth clearing purely to reclaim space. The cache lives in %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\LocalCache, and Windows manages its size automatically. Reset it because it has become corrupted — not because it is large. If you're hunting for real space on the C drive, the cache is usually a rounding error compared to old downloads, leftover game installs, and system files.

FAQ

Does clearing the Microsoft Store cache delete my installed apps?

No. Running wsreset.exe or resetting the Store only clears temporary cache files. Your installed apps, games, and purchase history stay exactly where they are.

Why does the wsreset window stay blank?

The blank black window is normal. wsreset.exe runs silently with no progress bar for 20–30 seconds, then closes itself and relaunches the Store. Do not close it manually.

What is error 0x80073CF3 in the Microsoft Store?

Error 0x80073CF3 usually means the Store package is damaged or partially missing. Re-register it with the PowerShell command above, then reboot to restore a working Store.

Will clearing the cache fix Microsoft Store update problems?

Often, yes. Many "can't install" or "can't update" errors come from a corrupted cache, which wsreset.exe rebuilds. If updates still stall afterward, run the app Reset in Settings.

Where is the Microsoft Store cache stored?

It lives under %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\LocalCache. wsreset.exe clears this folder for you, so you rarely need to open it manually.

Keep your PC tidy after the fix

Once the Store is healthy again, it's a good moment to clear out the bigger space hogs. See deep cleaning Windows 11 and 10 without third-party utilities for the full native cleanup routine, how to clear Delivery Optimization files to remove leftover update downloads, and what is the AppData folder and can I delete it to understand where app caches like the Store's actually live. For app-cache cleanups elsewhere, how to clear the Discord cache on PC follows the same pattern. When you can't tell what's eating your disk, how to use TreeSize Free and the cross-platform storage running out checklist will point you at the real culprits. If your phone is the device that's actually full, Cleanor does the same kind of safe, local cleanup for iPhone photos, videos, and app clutter.