How to Update Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11/10 (5 Ways)

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Keeping your Microsoft Store apps updated is crucial for security, performance, and access to the latest features.

Unlike traditional desktop software, Microsoft Store apps can update automatically in the background. However, there are situations where automatic updates stop working, updates get stuck, or you simply want to manually update your installed apps.

This guide explains every method to update Microsoft Store apps in Windows 11 and Windows 10, including manual updates, enabling automatic updates, using the Library page, updating individual apps, resetting the Microsoft Store if updates fail, and advanced troubleshooting methods.

Why Updating Microsoft Store Apps Matters

Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly cover the “why.” Unlike traditional desktop software that may prompt you occasionally, Store apps often update silently in the background. This is generally a good thing.

  • Security Patches: Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Store updates patch these security holes, protecting your system from attacks .

  • Bug Fixes & Stability: Updates squash annoying bugs, prevent crashes, and improve overall app stability .

  • New Features & Performance: Developers regularly add new features and optimize performance, ensuring you get the best experience .

Understanding these benefits underscores why managing these updates effectively is a key part of maintaining a healthy PC.

Also Read: Microsoft Store Not Working? Fix: Reset, Repair & Clear Cache on Windows 11/10

Method 1: The Standard Way – Update via Microsoft Store

This is the most straightforward method for manually checking and installing updates for your Store apps.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store app. You can find it by searching for “Store” in the Start Menu or by clicking its icon on the taskbar .

Step 2: Click on the Library icon in the left-hand sidebar. This will take you to a page showing all your installed apps and games . In some Store versions, this may be labeled “Downloads” .

Step 3: Click the “Get updates” button located at the top right of the Library page. The Store will now scan for any available updates for all your installed apps . Alternatively, a button may say “Check for updates.”

Step 4: You have two options here:

  • To update everything at once, click the “Update all” button .

  • To update individual apps, find the app you want to update and click the “Update” button next to its name .

The Store will then download and install the updates. You can monitor the progress of each app on this screen.

Method 2: The Automated Approach – Enabling Auto-Updates

By default, the Microsoft Store is set to update your apps automatically. However, it’s a good idea to verify this setting is enabled or disable it if you’re on a metered connection and prefer manual control.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store .

Step 2: Click on your Profile icon (your account picture) in the top-right corner of the window .

Step 3: Select Settings from the drop-down menu .

Step 4: Under the “App updates” section, toggle the switch to “On” to enable automatic updates, or “Off” to disable them .

Important Note on Recent Changes: Microsoft has changed how the “App updates” toggle works. Instead of a permanent off switch, disabling it now allows you to pause updates for a set period—between one and five weeks. After that time, updates will automatically resume to ensure your system remains secure . This change reflects a push towards prioritizing security and ensuring users receive critical patches.

Method 3: The Command-Line Approach – Updating with winget

For power users, IT professionals, or anyone who prefers the command line, Windows Package Manager (winget) is an incredibly efficient tool. This is also the solution if the Store app itself is malfunctioning .

Step 1: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Start Menu and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” .

Step 2: To see a list of all apps that have updates available, type the following command and press Enter:

cmd
winget upgrade

This will show you a list of installed apps, their current versions, and the latest available versions .

Step 3: To update every app, type this command and press Enter:

cmd
winget upgrade --all

This will automatically download and install all available updates . For a smoother experience that doesn’t prompt for agreements, you can add --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements to the command .

powershell
winget upgrade --all --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements

Step 4: To update a specific app, replace "AppName" with the exact name of the application as listed in the winget upgrade output:

cmd
winget upgrade "AppName"

The winget command is extremely useful and forms the backbone of many enterprise management solutions, allowing updates to be applied remotely via PowerShell Invoke-Command .

Method 4: The Newcomer – The Microsoft Store CLI (store command)

Microsoft recently introduced a dedicated command-line interface (CLI) for the Microsoft Store. This tool is designed for quick, text-based interaction with the Store, separate from the broader winget package manager . If you’re comfortable with the terminal, this offers a fast way to manage Store apps without opening the graphical interface.

Step 1: Open any command-line tool like PowerShell or Command Prompt. It does not necessarily require administrator rights for all functions .

Step 2: To check for and install all available app updates, simply type this command and press Enter:

cmd
store updates

The tool will scan for pending updates and give you the option to install them all at once .

Step 3: To update a specific app, use the following structure:

cmd
store update "AppName"

Replace "AppName" with the exact name of the app you wish to update .

This new store CLI is a welcome addition for developers and enthusiasts who want a streamlined way to manage their Store apps .

Method 5: Troubleshooting – When Updates Fail

Sometimes, the Microsoft Store itself can encounter issues that prevent apps from updating. If you’ve tried the above methods and apps aren’t updating, here are some advanced fixes.

1. Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

The Windows Store cache can become corrupted. Resetting it is a quick and safe first step.

  • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

  • Type wsreset.exe and press Enter . A blank Command Prompt window will open, and after a few moments, the Store will launch. This process clears the cache.

2. Re-register the Store App

If resetting the cache doesn’t work, you can re-register the Store app with Windows using PowerShell.

  • Open PowerShell or Terminal as an administrator .

  • Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:

    powershell
    Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

This command will reinstall the Microsoft Store app’s core components . Restart your computer afterward and try updating again.

3. Repair Windows Update Components

Since the Store relies on core Windows update components, issues there can also block Store updates.

  • Open PowerShell as an administrator .

  • Run the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each:

    powershell
    net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*"
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Restart your PC after running these commands . This comprehensive repair often resolves persistent update issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Microsoft Store apps automatically updated?

Yes, by default, the Microsoft Store automatically updates your apps. However, you can manage this setting in the Microsoft Store’s Settings page . Recent updates allow you to pause auto-updates for a limited time only .

Q: Where are Microsoft Store apps installed?

By default, Store apps are installed to the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder. This folder is hidden and protected, so you generally won’t need to access it directly.

Q: Why can’t I find the “Update” button in the Microsoft Store?

If you don’t see an update button for a specific app, it means your app is already up to date. If you’re having trouble with the Store app itself, try the troubleshooting steps in Method 5 above .

Q: Can I update non-Microsoft Store apps using these methods?

The Microsoft Store and the store CLI only manage apps installed from the Store. However, the winget command can also update many traditional Win32 applications if they are available in the community package repository, making it a more versatile tool for updating all your software .

Q: Does updating apps affect my data?

No, updating an app should not affect your personal settings or data within the app. It simply replaces the application files with newer versions .

Conclusion

Keeping your apps up-to-date in Windows 11 and 10 is simple and offers numerous benefits. Whether you prefer the visual interface of the Microsoft Store, the robust automation of winget, or the new, speedy store CLI, you have a method that perfectly fits your workflow.

For most users, the best approach is to leave automatic updates enabled but occasionally check the Library to manually trigger updates for important apps when you know a new version is available. For IT administrators, the command-line options are indispensable for managing updates across multiple machines .

By following the steps and troubleshooting tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure your apps are always secure, stable, and feature-rich.