Microsoft Store
Also called store, windows store, ms store
The in-box store app. The process is WinStore.App.exe. Some PCs disable it with policy. It is not winget.
What you need to know
Microsoft Store is the in-box catalog UI. winget is the command line.
The Microsoft Store app is WinStore.App.exe. Get help from Microsoft Support. Policy can disable it. winget is App Installer's CLI, not this window. Chocolatey is a third-party manager.
- What is it?
- The in-box Windows app store
- Same as winget?
- No. winget is the command line
- Can policy remove it?
- Yes. Work PCs often do
What is Microsoft Store?
WinStore.App.exe is the Store UI. It installs Store packages and some desktop apps Microsoft lists. winget.exe talks to the same catalogs from a prompt. They are not the same exe.
If you have never used it
If you tap Store on the taskbar, Microsoft Store is the in-box app catalog. It arrived with Windows 8 in 2012. Some work PCs disable it with policy. It is not winget, which is the App Installer command line, and it is not Chocolatey.
What is it used for?
Click Install in the Store window. winget install is the command-line path, not this UI.
Library > Updates. Chocolatey upgrades a different repository.
The website can deep-link into this app. It is still the Store, not a choco source.
Who is it for?
- People who install Calculator, Paint, or games from Store
- Anyone whose work PC hid the Store with policy
- Users comparing this to winget or Chocolatey
Current status
Microsoft Store (2012) is a current app store from Microsoft Corporation. The vendor still points Windows users at https://apps.microsoft.com/.
How old is it?
The Windows Store launched in 2012 with Windows 8. The name became Microsoft Store. winget arrived in 2020. A Windows 7 PC never had this app. Current Windows 11 still ships it unless policy removes it.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | Ships with supported Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 8 was the first Store |
|---|---|
| RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Rises while a download installs
- Network demand
- Active during browse and install
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| WinStore.App.exe | Store UI |
|---|---|
| StoreExperienceHost.exe | Store host on some Windows 11 builds |
Startup components
The Store starts when you open it. Update checks can run in the background.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\ |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Store disabled by policy or a debloat script
wsreset and Store repair are the usual Microsoft path. winget may still be present. Chocolatey will not reopen the Store UI.
Cache or sign-in errors
wsreset.exe and a Microsoft account retry are Store fixes, not a choco source problem.
Getting unstuck
Open Store from Start. If it is missing, check Settings > Apps and work policy
A removed Store is a policy or debloat story. winget is a different binary if you only needed a CLI.
Run wsreset, then repair Microsoft Store in Apps
That is the supported UI repair. Do not download WinStore.App.exe from a filename site.
Use winget if you only needed a command-line install
The Store UI is optional for many packages. Chocolatey is a third repository if you already live there.
Alternatives
winget for CLI. Chocolatey and Scoop for community repos. Company Portal on some work PCs.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | apps.microsoft.com/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | support.microsoft.com/windows/microsoft-store Vendor support |
| Official site | apps.microsoft.com/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
The Store is a packaged app. A broken network or TLS date breaks it more often than a famous CPU.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Microsoft Store official site · Vendor product page
- Microsoft Store help · Vendor support
- Microsoft Support: Microsoft Store · End-user Store help
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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