How to Clear App Specific Cache Without Resetting the Whole Store

Quick fix: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → find the specific Microsoft Store app → three-dot menu → Advanced options → click Reset. This clears just that app’s data and cache. Doesn’t affect other Store apps or Microsoft Store itself. App may need to re-sign-in afterward.

Microsoft Store app data lives per-app at %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\[package-name]. To clear one without affecting others: use Settings → Apps → Advanced options → Reset. Or delete specific cache subfolders manually.

What causes this need

Sometimes a specific Microsoft Store app misbehaves: stuck loading, won’t sign in, shows wrong content. Reset clears that app’s data without affecting:

• Other Store apps.
• Microsoft Store itself.
• Installed apps.
• System settings.

Method 1: Reset via Advanced options

The standard route.

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find the specific app (search).
3. Click three-dot menu next to app → Advanced options.
4. Scroll to Reset section.
5. Two options:
   • Repair: tries to fix app without losing data. Mild.
   • Reset: clears all app data, settings, sign-in. Aggressive.
6. Click Repair first. Try app. If still broken, click Reset.
7. App restarts with fresh state.
8. Re-sign-in if needed.
9. App reverts to default settings.

This is the standard fix.

Method 2: Manual cache delete

For specific subfolder.

1. For deleting specific cache without full reset: navigate to app’s LocalAppData.
2. Open File Explorer. Show hidden files.
3. Navigate to: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\[package-full-name].
4. Find package name: Get-AppxPackage *AppName* in PowerShell. Note PackageFamilyName.
5. Within the package folder, subfolders:
   • LocalState: persistent local data.
   • LocalCache: cache files.
   • RoamingState: synced via Microsoft account.
   • Settings: app settings.
   • TempState: temporary files.
6. Delete specific subfolder. E.g., LocalCache for cache only.
7. Restart app. Cache rebuilds, app re-syncs if needed.
8. For preserving settings but clearing cache: delete LocalCache only.

This is the granular route.

Method 3: PowerShell for specific clean

For scripting.

1. For automated cache cleanup:

   # Clear cache for specific app
   $packageName = "Microsoft.WindowsCamera"
   $package = Get-AppxPackage $packageName
   $cachePath = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\$($package.PackageFamilyName)\LocalCache"
   if (Test-Path $cachePath) {
       Remove-Item -Path "$cachePath\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
       Write-Host "Cleared cache for $packageName"
   }

2. For specific subfolders: adjust path.
3. For batch cleanup of multiple apps: loop.
4. For Edge cache (different mechanism): edge://settings/clearBrowserData.
5. For Office cache: separate per Office app.
6. For Steam / Epic / Origin: those use their own cache locations, not in Packages.
7. For chronic cache issues: schedule task to clean weekly.

This is the scripted route.

How to verify the fix worked

• App opens with fresh state.
• Specific app issue resolved.
• Other apps unaffected.
• Microsoft Store still works normally.
• LocalCache folder smaller after reset.

If none of these work

If reset fails: Permission issue: app data may be Admin-protected. Run PowerShell as Admin. For corrupted app: uninstall and reinstall from Store. For chronic app issues: re-register via PowerShell:

Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"}

For protected system apps: some can’t reset (e.g., Cortana). Use PowerShell. For licensing issues post-reset: app needs Microsoft account sign-in. For corporate-managed apps: Intune may auto-restore. For specific data backup before reset: copy LocalState contents to safe place first. After reset, restore.

Bottom line: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → pick app → Advanced options → Reset (or Repair). For granular: manually delete subfolders in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\[app]. PowerShell scripts for batch cleanup.