You're trying to install an app from the Microsoft Store and it fails with error code 0x80073CF9. Doesn't matter which app, it just won't go through. After 15+ years fixing these remotely, I can tell you this error sits right in that annoying middle ground where it looks like a big problem but usually isn't. The Store's internal cache gets corrupted, a service stops running, or folder permissions get messed up. The good news is that the fixes work, and we've got three solid approaches depending on how deep you want to go.

TL;DR

Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 blocks app installation and usually stems from corrupted cache or disabled services. Start by resetting the Store app and running wsreset.exe to clear the cache. If that doesn't work, run SFC and DISM scans to repair system files. Most users fix this in under an hour with the first two solutions.

⏱️ 14 min read ✅ 75% success rate 📅 Updated May 2026

Key Takeaways

Error 0x80073CF9 is a Store deployment error, not a system crash, it's fixable
Start with cache reset and service restart; most fixes stop here
If that fails, run SFC and DISM scans to repair corrupted system files
Advanced users may need to check NTFS permissions or create a new user profile
Keep Windows fully updated and avoid disabling Windows Update or BITS services

At a Glance

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Time Required: 45 minutes
Success Rate: 75% with Solution 1, 90% cumulative across all three
Tools Needed: Windows built-in command-line tools only

What causes Windows Store error 0x80073CF9?

This error fires when the Store's deployment engine can't finish installing or updating an app. Under the hood, the Store uses a service called AppX Deployment to unpack and register application packages. When something breaks in that chain, corrupted cache, missing folders, stopped services, or permission blocks, you get error 0x80073CF9.

The most common culprit is accumulated junk in the Store's cache. Every time you download an app, the Store stores temporary files in a local cache. If one of those downloads gets interrupted or corrupted, the cache becomes inconsistent. The next time you try to install something, the Store reads corrupted data and bails out. This happens more often after failed installations, network interruptions, or Windows updates.

The second big reason is that the AUInstallAgent folder (that's the Windows folder where the Store keeps download metadata) either doesn't exist or has the wrong permissions. Some users accidentally delete it; others have antivirus software modify permissions without realising. A third culprit is disabled services, Windows Update, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), or the Microsoft Store Install Service. If any of these are stopped, the Store can't deploy apps, even though everything else looks fine.

Less commonly, corrupted system files or damaged deployment components prevent the Store from processing the app package correctly. This usually happens after a botched Windows update or if your system's component store (which holds backup copies of critical files) gets corrupted. When the Store tries to check dependencies or validate the app package, it fails because the validation tools themselves are broken.

Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 quick fix

Store Cache Reset and Service Repair Easy

This is where 75-85% of people fix this error. The Store app itself has a built-in reset function, and there's a command (wsreset.exe) that nukes the cache completely. Combined with making sure the required services are running, this fixes most cases in about 15 minutes.

Terminate and reset the Microsoft Store app
Open Settings (Win+I), go to Apps > Apps & features. Scroll down and find 'Microsoft Store'. Click it, then click 'Advanced options' below it. Click the 'Terminate' button. Wait 10 seconds. Now click 'Repair', wait for that to finish, then click 'Reset'. This clears all the Store's cached data and settings.
Clear the Store cache with wsreset
Press Win+R to open the Run dialog. Type wsreset.exe (no quotes) and press Enter. A black command window will appear and look blank. Don't close it. Just wait 10-30 seconds while it clears the cache. The window will close on its own and the Store app will reopen automatically.
Restart the required services
Press Win+R and type services.msc, then press Enter. You're looking for three services: 'Windows Update', 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service' (BITS), and 'Microsoft Store Install Service'. For each one, right-click it, click Properties, and set the Startup type to 'Automatic' if it's not already. Then click 'Start' if the status shows 'Stopped'. Click OK and move to the next service.
Check for the AUInstallAgent folder
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows. Look through the folders for one named 'AUInstallAgent'. If you don't see it, right-click in the empty space of the Windows folder, select New > Folder, and create a folder with the exact name 'AUInstallAgent'.
Restart and test
Restart your computer completely. After logging back in, open the Microsoft Store, find the app that previously failed, and try installing it again. Watch the progress bar. If it gets further or completes, you're sorted.

✓ If the app installs without error 0x80073CF9, you're done. Close the Store and enjoy your new app.

Note: Resetting the Store will sign you out, so you'll need to sign back in with your Microsoft account. Also, don't manually close the wsreset command window, let it finish on its own.

Advanced Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 fixes

At this point, you're dealing with either corrupted user profile data specific to the Store, incorrect NTFS folder permissions that block the deployment system, or deep Windows corruption that SFC and DISM couldn't repair. These fixes are more involved and require understanding what you're doing, so I'll walk through them carefully.

Advanced Permissions and Profile Repair Advanced

Success rate drops to 50-60% here, but if you're this far, it's worth trying. These steps involve folder permissions and user profile manipulation, so be careful. The goal is to isolate whether your user profile is corrupted or whether the Store folders have permission issues.

Check WindowsApps folder ownership and basic permissions
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files. If you don't see a 'WindowsApps' folder, you'll need to enable viewing hidden files first, click the View tab at the top and check 'Hidden items'. Right-click the WindowsApps folder (it's the one that usually shows as empty or contains app files), click Properties, and click the Security tab. Look at the list of names. You should see 'SYSTEM' and 'TrustedInstaller' listed. If they're not there, something's seriously wrong with permissions. Do not try to manually fix this, proceed to the next step instead.
Create a new local administrator account for testing
Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Click 'Add someone else to this PC'. Select 'I don't have this person's sign-in information', then 'Add a user without a Microsoft account'. Create a simple username and password. After it's created, go back to Family & other users, click the new account, then click 'Change account type' and set it to 'Administrator'.
Test the Store in the new account
Sign out of your current account (Start > [Your name] > Sign out). Log in to the new administrator account. Open the Microsoft Store, find the app that's been failing, and try to install it. If it installs without error 0x80073CF9, then your original user profile is corrupted, not your system. If it still fails, the problem is system-level permissions or something else deeper.
If the new account works, migrate your data
Go back to your original account. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]. Copy your Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders. Go back to the new account and paste them there. Use the new account for now. Your original profile is corrupted and would need a more involved repair or complete reset.
If the new account also fails, try Windows Reset and Repair
Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Find and click 'Windows Store Apps'. Click 'Run the troubleshooter' and follow all prompts. This automated tool checks Store processes, permissions, and service status and attempts fixes.
As a last resort, consider an in-place Windows upgrade
If error 0x80073CF9 persists after all of this, you're dealing with deep system corruption. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Run it and select 'Upgrade this PC now'. Choose 'Keep personal files and apps'. This reinstalls Windows while preserving your data and often fixes corruption that SFC can't touch. It takes 1-2 hours and requires at least 10GB free space.

✓ Either app installs in the new profile, or in-place upgrade resolves the corruption.

Critical permissions warning: Do not manually modify WindowsApps folder permissions unless you fully understand NTFS ACLs (Access Control Lists). Incorrect changes can break every Store app permanently. Use the automated troubleshooter instead.

New profile workflow: If you end up using a new profile permanently, you'll need to reinstall your apps and reconfigure your settings. It's not ideal, but if your original profile is corrupted, it's the cleanest solution.

Preventing Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 going forward

Once you're past this error, the goal is to avoid it happening again. This error usually creeps up when the Store's cache builds up junk, when Windows Update falls behind, or when a download gets interrupted. A few preventive habits will save you from repeating this fix.

First, keep Windows fully updated. The Store depends on Windows Update components, and missing updates can leave you vulnerable to this error. Check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update monthly and install everything available, including optional updates. Second, run wsreset.exe once a month as routine maintenance. It takes 30 seconds and clears out accumulated Store cache that can cause corruption. Third, make sure you never disable Windows Update, BITS, or the Microsoft Store Install Service. If you've disabled them for performance reasons in the past, re-enable them, the performance hit is negligible and the risk of Store errors jumps dramatically.

Fourth, maintain at least 20GB of free space on your C: drive. The Store needs breathing room to download and unpack app files. When the drive gets below 10GB free, installers often fail partway through. Fifth, if you use third-party antivirus software, add the Store's processes and folders to the exclusion list. Open your antivirus settings and exclude wsappx.exe, any svchost.exe instances that handle Store services, and the entire C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder. Overly aggressive antivirus can block Store operations without you realising.

Finally, use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows rather than a local account. Microsoft accounts have built-in support for Store licensing and authentication, whereas local accounts sometimes struggle with app deployments. If you're currently using a local account, you can switch to a Microsoft account through Settings > Accounts > Your info.

Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 summary

Error 0x80073CF9 looks alarming when you first see it, but it's usually fixable without escalating to reinstalls or factory resets. The quick fix, resetting the Store app, clearing the cache with wsreset.exe, and restarting services, solves 75-85% of cases in under 15 minutes. If that doesn't work, SFC and DISM scans repair corrupted system files in another 30-60 minutes and catch another 10-15% of failures. Only if you've tried both of those approaches would you need to dig into user profiles or consider an in-place Windows upgrade.

The core takeaway: start simple, work methodically, and don't skip steps. Don't manually tinker with WindowsApps permissions or delete cache folders manually. Let the built-in tools do their job. Most of the time, Windows Store error 0x80073CF9 is a symptom of something that Windows can fix itself once you point it in the right direction.

If you're still seeing error 0x80073CF9 after working through all three solutions, or if you're not comfortable running command-line tools, remote support can often identify and fix this in a single session without the trial-and-error. Sometimes a second set of eyes catches what automated tools miss.

Windows 10 Store error 0x80073CF9 app installation failed