How to clear the Microsoft Store cache

Easy Gamer Utility can run the built-in Windows Microsoft Store reset tool to clear temporary Microsoft Store cache files.

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache may help when the Store is not loading correctly, downloads are stuck or Microsoft Store games are not displaying properly.

This guide explains how to clear the Microsoft Store cache using Easy Gamer Utility and what to do if the reset does not solve the problem.

What is the Microsoft Store cache?

See also: Is it safe to remove game cache files? Article

The Microsoft Store keeps temporary files on your computer.

These files can help the Store load pages, images, account information and download details more quickly.

The cache may contain temporary information connected to:

• Microsoft Store pages
• App and game listings
• Download information
• Store images
• Sign-in information
• Update information
• Xbox and Microsoft Store game services

These temporary files can sometimes become damaged or out of date.

Clearing the cache gives Windows a chance to create fresh files.

What problems can clearing the Microsoft Store cache help with?

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache may help when:

• Microsoft Store will not open
• The Store opens to a blank page
• A game or app download is stuck
• An update will not start
• The Store displays old information
• Microsoft Store search is not working
• A purchased game is not showing correctly
• Microsoft Store displays an error
• The Xbox app is having trouble opening Store content
• A Microsoft Store game will not download

Clearing the cache cannot guarantee that every Microsoft Store problem will be fixed.

Before clearing the Microsoft Store cache

See also: Why some cache files could not be removed Article

Before you begin:

1. Save any work you have open.
2. Close Microsoft Store.
3. Close the Xbox app.
4. Close any Microsoft Store or Xbox games.
5. Pause any active Store downloads if possible.
6. Open Easy Gamer Utility.

Closing Microsoft Store and the Xbox app helps prevent them from using the cache while Windows resets it.

How to clear the Microsoft Store cache with Easy Gamer Utility

Follow these steps:

1. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
2. Click Clean at the top of the window.
3. Select Game Launchers.
4. Find Clear Microsoft Store cache files.
5. Click Clean.
6. Read the confirmation message.
7. Click OK to continue.
8. Wait while Windows resets the Microsoft Store cache.
9. Look for the message confirming that the Microsoft Store cache files were removed.

Click Cancel if you do not want to continue.

What happens after I click Clean?

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Easy Gamer Utility starts the built-in Windows Microsoft Store reset command.

Windows then clears the supported Store cache information.

The reset may take a short time.

You may notice:

• Nothing appears for a few seconds
• A Windows process runs in the background
• Microsoft Store opens after the reset
• The Store takes longer to load the first time
• You are asked to sign in again

These can be normal parts of the reset process.

Why is there no Analyze button?

Most Easy Gamer Utility launcher cleaners can analyse a cache folder and list the files found.

The Microsoft Store option works differently.

Windows handles the Microsoft Store reset using its own reset tool. Easy Gamer Utility starts that Windows tool rather than manually listing and deleting each Store cache file.

Because of this, the Microsoft Store cleaner may only have a Clean button.

Does clearing the Microsoft Store cache delete my games?

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No.

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache is not the same as uninstalling a game.

It should not remove:

• Installed Microsoft Store games
• Installed apps
• Xbox games
• Saved game progress
• Your Microsoft account
• Purchases linked to your account

The tool is intended to reset temporary Microsoft Store information.

Will clearing the cache delete my saved games?

The Microsoft Store cache is separate from normal game save data.

Clearing it should not remove your saved progress.

However, save locations are different for each game. Some games use Xbox cloud saves, while others keep files locally on the computer.

It is always sensible to back up important game saves before reinstalling games, resetting Windows or making major system changes.

Will I need to sign in again?

You may need to sign back into Microsoft Store or the Xbox app after clearing the cache.

Make sure you know:

• Your Microsoft account email address
• Your Microsoft account password
• Any security or verification details

Your purchases remain linked to the Microsoft account used to buy or download them.

How long does the Microsoft Store reset take?

The reset normally takes a short time, but the exact time depends on your computer.

Allow it a few minutes before assuming it has stopped.

Do not repeatedly click the Clean button while the reset is already running.

After the reset, Microsoft Store may take longer to open because Windows is rebuilding temporary information.

What should I do after clearing the cache?

After the reset:

1. Wait for Microsoft Store to open or finish resetting.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Open Microsoft Store.
4. Sign in if asked.
5. Open Library.
6. Check for app and game updates.
7. Try the download or game again.

Restarting Windows can help complete the reset and restart related Microsoft services.

Easy Gamer Utility says the cache was removed, but the problem remains

The message means Easy Gamer Utility successfully started the Microsoft Store reset process.

It does not guarantee that the reset fixed the original problem.

Try the following steps.

Restart your computer

Restart Windows after clearing the cache.

A restart can refresh Microsoft Store, Xbox and Windows Update services.

Do not choose Shut down and immediately turn the computer back on. Use the Windows Restart option.

Check your internet connection

Open a website in your web browser.

If websites are also not loading, fix the internet connection before troubleshooting Microsoft Store.

You can also use the Easy Gamer Utility Network tools to:

• Clear the DNS cache
• Reset the network adapter
• Change the local IP address
• Run a connection test

Check Microsoft Store for updates

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Click Library.
3. Click Get updates.
4. Allow all available Store updates to finish.

An outdated Microsoft Store or Xbox component can cause download problems.

Sign out and back in

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Click your profile icon.
3. Sign out.
4. Close Microsoft Store.
5. Open it again.
6. Sign back into the correct Microsoft account.

Make sure you use the account that owns the app or game.

Check the date and time

Microsoft Store may have connection problems if the Windows date or time is incorrect.

1. Right-click the Windows clock.
2. Open Adjust date and time.
3. Enable Set time automatically.
4. Enable Set time zone automatically if available.
5. Click Sync now.

Open Microsoft Store again afterwards.

The Clean button does nothing

Wait a short time first. The reset may be running without showing a large window.

If nothing happens:

1. Close Easy Gamer Utility.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility again.
4. Go to Clean > Game Launchers.
5. Try the Microsoft Store Clean button again.

You can also restart Easy Gamer Utility with administrator permission:

1. Click Run EGU as admin.
2. Click Yes when Windows asks for permission.
3. Return to the Microsoft Store cache option.
4. Click Clean again.

How to run the Microsoft Store reset without Easy Gamer Utility

Windows also allows you to run the same reset tool manually.

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type wsreset.exe.
3. Click OK or press Enter.
4. Wait for the reset to finish.

This performs the same type of Microsoft Store cache reset used by Easy Gamer Utility.

Using Easy Gamer Utility simply gives you a clear button and confirmation message inside the program.

Microsoft Store will not open after clearing the cache

Try these steps:

1. Restart your computer.
2. Check your internet connection.
3. Open Microsoft Store from the Windows Start menu.
4. Check that the Windows date and time are correct.
5. Install any available Windows updates.
6. Run the Microsoft Store cache cleaner again.

You can also repair Microsoft Store through Windows Settings.

How to repair Microsoft Store in Windows Settings

Clearing the cache is a simple first step.

If the problem continues, Windows also includes Repair and Reset options.

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Click Apps.
3. Open Installed apps or Apps & features.
4. Find Microsoft Store.
5. Open its Advanced options.
6. Click Repair first.
7. Test Microsoft Store again.

Repair tries to fix the app without deleting its data.

Use the Windows Reset option only if Repair does not work. Resetting is a stronger action and may remove locally stored app data or sign-in information.

Xbox app problems after clearing the cache

The Xbox app uses several Microsoft Store and Windows gaming services.

If an Xbox app problem continues:

1. Restart your computer.
2. Open Microsoft Store.
3. Check the Library for updates.
4. Update the Xbox app.
5. Update Gaming Services if shown.
6. Open the Xbox app.
7. Sign in again if required.

Make sure Microsoft Store and the Xbox app use the correct Microsoft account.

A game download is still stuck

Try these checks:

• Pause and restart the download
• Cancel and begin the download again
• Make sure the drive has enough free space
• Check that Windows Update is not waiting for a restart
• Restart the computer
• Check Microsoft Store for updates
• Check the Xbox app for updates
• Disable any VPN temporarily
• Check whether Microsoft services are experiencing a problem

Do not delete the game folder manually while Microsoft Store is still managing the download.

Does Easy Gamer Utility need administrator permission?

The Microsoft Store cache reset may work without restarting Easy Gamer Utility as an administrator.

If Windows blocks the process or nothing happens, try Run EGU as admin and run the cleaner again.

Administrator permission does not unlock Easy Gamer Utility Pro. It only gives the program permission to perform protected Windows actions.

Is it safe to clear the Microsoft Store cache?

The Microsoft Store cache is temporary and can normally be recreated by Windows.

It is generally safe to clear when troubleshooting Store or Xbox app problems.

You do not need to clear it every day.

Use the tool when Microsoft Store is behaving incorrectly or a troubleshooting guide recommends it.

When should I clear the Microsoft Store cache?

Consider clearing it when:

• Microsoft Store is blank
• Store pages will not load
• Downloads are stuck
• Updates will not install
• The Xbox app cannot load Store information
• A Microsoft Store error keeps returning
• A game is missing from your Store library
• You have already restarted Windows without success

If Microsoft Store is working normally, there is usually no reason to clear the cache.

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache in simple terms

Close Microsoft Store and the Xbox app.

Open Easy Gamer Utility and go to Clean > Game Launchers.

Find Clear Microsoft Store cache files, click Clean and then click OK on the warning.

Easy Gamer Utility will start the Windows Store reset tool. Wait for it to finish, restart your computer and then try Microsoft Store again.