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How to Activate and Display All Microsoft Store Apps
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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My biggest surprise with theWindows Storeonce I started using it was that it felt so darn empty. My first question was – are there really only a few apps in theWindows Store? The latest stats indicate there are tends of thousands ofapplicationsforWindows 8,Windows RTandWindows 10, so where the heck have they all gone? Why I’m seeingonly a fewapplicationsthere? The solution to that is very simple, as simple as it was for me to solve myfreezing issue with Windows 8, 10.
But it might not work out for you, so there are a few more things that you’ll need to do, but nothing too hard that will step you from enjoying yourWindows 8,Windows 10experience. What you’ll need to do is to play around with some settings that most likely, came as default on your system. When you installedWindows 8orWindows 10(hopefullywithout having to think the install was stuck), you chose a language and a country.Windows Storeinherited that and that’s why it “served” so little apps. Butwe’re going to change that.
How to make all Microsoft Store apps appear
1. Make Windows 8 apps appear
The first step you need to do is to go on theWindows Storeby pressing theWindows logoand choosingWindows Store, open theCharms bar– by going to the upper right corner or by pressing Windows logo + W, then open upSettings. There, you’ll findPreferences. Go there and selectNo to both sentences. This should increase the size of yourWindows Store. And here are some screenshots to help you do that. Check the number of apps before doing this and then after.
Windows Store->Charms bar->Settings->Preferences ->No to both sentences.
2. Turn on location services on Windows 8, Windows 10
I tried the first solution, but when searching for theNetflix app, for example, I just couldn’t find it. And after searching for a while just why that was happening, I realized that it has to do with localization, once more. So, what I did was to search for any files or settings related to “location” and I pretty much managed to solve the issue and now all theWindows Store appsare displayed and activated. Here’s what you have to do.
Open theCharms barwhile you are on the desktop, so that you will be searching in the entire system. Type in “change location settings“. This is the easiest way to get there, so that’s why I’m providing you with this. You’ll find it under the Settings tab, obviously.Uncheckthose two items that you find – “Turn on the Windows location platform” and “Help improve Microsoft location services”.
Charms bar -> “change location settings” -> uncheck both items
To customize your location settings onWindows 10, go to Start, type ‘location in the Search box and select ‘Location Privacy Settings.
In the new window that appears on the screen, make sure to turn on location services.
3. Change your location to United States
We’re going to have a little more fun with this location thing. Go to search again, from the deskop and type just “Change location”. Go to Location and choose Region there. To be sure you get as many apps as possible, pick United States, of course. This should do it, folks. Now, you should see even more apps in yourWindows Store.
Charms bar -> “change location” -> choose region -> pick United States
OnWindows 10, you can quickly set your default location for your MicrosoftStoreapps directly from the Settings page. Go to Settings > Location > Default Location. In the new window, set your default location and confirm your choice.
From now on, your MicrosoftStoreapps will use this default location.
4. Use the built-in Windows Store troubleshooter
Windows 10 also comes with a built-introubleshooterthat allows you to quickly fix general app issues. To run thetroubleshooter, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > select theWindows StoreApps troubleshooter.
5. Reset Microsoft Store
If the MicrosoftStorestill won’t display all the apps, you can also try to reset it. Go to Start > type ‘run’ > select the Run dialog box. Now, type inWsreset.exeand hit Enter. You can now restart your computer to see if the issue persists.
Hopefully, after using this very basic tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy more awesomeapplicationsinside yourWindows Store, because, after all, that’s the beauty that comes withWindows 8andWindows 10.
For more information on how to fix other commonWindows Storeapps problems, check out the guides listed below:
More about the topics:Microsoft Store Fixes,windows 10 fix,windows store
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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Radu Tyrsina
