Windows 10: I can't download anything through the Microsoft Store

I have tried basically everything at this point. I can no longer install anything through the Microsoft Store or the Xbox app, the install button only gives a red "NO" signal when I hover over it, and the Xbox app hangs when I try to install a game. This problem started like 2 weeks ago.

:)

 

How can I free up space taken up by an incomplete Microsoft Store download?

Found the solution. Steps I used to fix this:

1. Open the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder, which is where the Windows Store puts its downloads. The WindowsApps folder isn't permissioned to normal users, so this has to be done using some utility that's being run as administrator (either a command prompt window, or some other file manager like 7zip; h/t ManSamVampire for the 7zip suggestion). DO NOT assign ownership of the WindowsApps folder to your own user account to gain access to it, as doing so will cause major problems and can't be easily undone (h/t Ramhound's answer for this warning).
   
2. Sort the subfolders inside WindowsApps by the date they were last modified; this will let you easily find the folders that have recently had new stuff put into them.
   
3. In my case, the offending subfolder was called MSIXVC, which is apparently a type of installer used by the Windows Store. Inside, I had an anomalous 37GB file created last night with no file extension, called "8BBF2763-A1C6-4F1B-96CA-B79DD5FDA4EE". Given that this file was enormous, created at the right time, and in a subfolder suggesting it was an installer, I concluded that this was the droid I was looking for.
   
4. From within your run-as-administrator utility, delete the offending file. I deleted the ginormous, bafflingly-named file from the MSIXVC folder, and lo and behold I had all my disk space back!
   

Now redownloading and installing Outer Worlds. This time I'll know better than to turn off my computer partway through.

 

Microsoft Store free apps

Hello,

Corrupted system files can cause issues when downloading applications from the Microsoft Store. However, for us to provide you the most appropriate assistance, can you provide us the exact error message that you're getting?

As an initial troubleshooting step, we suggest that you reset the Microsoft Store cache and try to download applications again. Check out the steps below:

• 
  Press Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
  
• 
  Type WSReset, then try launching Microsoft Store and sign in.
  
• 
  Once done, try to download applications.
  

We'll wait for any updates to assist you further.

 

Downloading is Slow from Store.

Hi Mihir,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

From the description, I understand that Windows store downloads slowly.

Step 1:

I suggest you to clear Windows Store cache and check if it helps.

Follow the steps below:

• Press Windows logo key + R.
• Type wsreset.exe on Run window and press enter.
• Check if issue persists.

You may try the following steps and check:



Step 2:

Try to run the sfc scan and check if the Windows store downloads faster:

Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan to check for any file corruption.
SFC scan will scan for corrupt system files on the computer and repair them.

• Press Windows key + X, click
  Command Prompt (Admin).
• In the Command Prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
  
  sfc /scannow

Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we’ll be glad to assist you.