Quick fix: “License acquisition failed” (error 0x80073CF9, 0x803F8001, or similar). Run as Admin Command Prompt: slmgr /rilc — reinstall licenses. Or Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"} in PowerShell to re-register all Store apps. Reboot.

Microsoft Store error “Couldn’t get license” or “License acquisition failed” means Store can’t register the app’s license with your Microsoft account. Cause: corrupted license cache, missing Microsoft Store services, or account sync issue.

Symptom: Microsoft Store throws license acquisition failed error when installing apps.
Affects: Windows 11 with Microsoft Store.
Fix time: ~15 minutes.

What causes this

Licensing service registers app entitlement with your Microsoft account. Errors occur from:

Corrupted local license cache.
Missing Microsoft Store Install Service.
Sign-out / re-sign-in needed.
Time/date mismatch (signing requires accurate time).
Microsoft account license linked to different account.

Method 1: Reinstall licenses via slmgr

The standard route.

Open Command Prompt as Admin.
Reinstall licenses:
```
slmgr /rilc
```
This re-reads license files from C:\Windows\System32\spp\store.
Wait. Output: success message.
Try Store install again.
For more specific Store license: wsreset.exe in Run dialog. Resets Store, clears cache. Wait 30 seconds. Store reopens.
Then retry install.
For .NET Framework license issues: sfc /scannow to repair.
For UAC issues: ensure CommandPrompt elevated as Admin. Not just “Run as administrator” from Start.

This is the standard fix.

Method 2: Re-register Microsoft Store and dependencies

For deeper repair.

Open PowerShell as Admin.

Re-register Microsoft Store:

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

For all UWP apps:

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

Re-registers all UWP apps. Some warnings expected (some apps don’t allow re-register).

Restart Microsoft Store Install Service: net stop wsservice && net start wsservice.
Reboot.
Sign in to Microsoft account in Store. Retry install.
For specific app license: search the app’s package name and re-register only that one.

This is the deeper repair.

Method 3: Check time/date, network, and account

For environment-level issues.

Time/date: license verification requires accurate time. Settings → Time & language → Set time automatically: On. Sync now if needed.
Network: license calls go to Microsoft servers. Test: open browser, visit microsoft.com. If slow / fails: network issue. Restart router.
DNS: try public DNS: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Hardware properties → DNS server: 8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1.
VPN / Proxy: disable temporarily. Some VPNs interfere with licensing.
Account sign-in: Settings → Accounts → Your info. If sign-in shows “Problem” or pending: re-sign-in.
Account region: account region must match Windows region. Both at account.microsoft.com and Settings → Time & language → Region.
For specific licensed Office app: deactivate license at office.com → install fresh.
For corporate-managed accounts: licensing may be controlled by Intune. Contact IT.

This is the environment check.

How to verify the fix worked

Microsoft Store: app installs without license error.
App launches successfully.
App shows in Settings → Apps with correct Microsoft Store source.
For paid apps: license shows as active.

If none of these work

If license error persists: For known-buggy Windows builds: install latest cumulative update. For Windows Insider: temporary license issues common. For pirated / cracked Windows: license services may not work. Use legitimate Windows. For corporate Microsoft account: Entra ID account may not have full Store access. For volume license keys: only Microsoft 365 covered; not Store apps. For chronic licensing: in-place upgrade via Media Creation Tool. For specific app failing licensing: developer of the app may have issue with their license server. Wait, retry later. For new Microsoft account: account verification needs ~24 hours after creation. Wait. Last resort: SFC + DISM + Reset This PC: deep repair sequence.

Bottom line: slmgr /rilc + wsreset.exe. Then PowerShell re-register Store and apps. Verify time/date sync, region match, network OK. Sign in to Microsoft account fully.