Fix Store Showing Owned but Not Installable on a New PC

When you sign into a new Windows 11 PC, the Microsoft Store often shows your purchased apps as “Owned” but does not display an Install button. Instead, you see a grayed-out button or no action at all. This occurs because the Store license cache on a fresh system does not immediately sync with your Microsoft account purchase history. This article explains why the Store behaves this way and provides four reliable methods to force the Install button to appear.

Why the Microsoft Store Shows Owned but Not Installable

The Microsoft Store uses a local license cache stored in the Windows registry and app data folders. When you set up a new PC, the Store client downloads a partial license snapshot from Microsoft servers. If the sync is interrupted by network delays, account region mismatches, or cached tokens from a previous device, the Store marks the app as “Owned” but does not download the full entitlement. Without the full entitlement, the Install button remains hidden or grayed out.

A second cause is that some apps—especially those purchased through volume licensing or as part of a bundle—require the Store to verify the license against the hardware ID of the new PC. If the hardware ID does not match the expected device group, the Store refuses to allow installation. This is common with apps like Microsoft Office for Home and Student or certain game titles.

A third cause involves the Microsoft account itself. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts or if the account is not set as the primary account in Windows, the Store may not see the correct purchase history. The Store only shows apps tied to the account used to sign into the Store app, not the account used for Windows sign-in if they differ.

Steps to Force the Install Button to Appear

Use the following methods in order. Most users need only the first or second method. If the button still does not appear, proceed to the third and fourth methods.

Method 1: Run the Windows Store Reset Tool

1. Open the Run dialog
   Press Windows key + R on your keyboard. The Run box opens.
2. Enter the wsreset command
   Type wsreset.exe in the Open field and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window appears. Do not close it. The tool clears the Store cache and then launches the Store automatically.
3. Sign in again if prompted
   After wsreset completes, the Store opens. If you are not signed in, click the profile icon in the top-right corner and sign in with the Microsoft account that owns the app.
4. Check the Library page
   In the Store, click Library in the left navigation pane. Locate the app that shows as Owned. Click the app tile. If the Install button is now visible, click it.

Method 2: Clear Store Cache from Settings

1. Open Windows Settings
   Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps
   In the left pane, click Apps, then click Installed apps.
3. Find Microsoft Store
   Scroll down or use the search box to find Microsoft Store. Click the three-dot menu (More options) next to it.
4. Select Advanced options
   In the menu that opens, click Advanced options.
5. Click Reset
   Scroll down to the Reset section. Click the Reset button. A confirmation dialog appears. Click Reset again. This clears the Store cache and resets the app to its default state.
6. Reopen the Store and check Library
   Close Settings. Open the Store from the Start menu. Click Library and locate the app. The Install button should now be visible.

Method 3: Disconnect and Reconnect the Microsoft Account

1. Open Settings > Accounts
   Press Windows key + I, then click Accounts in the left pane.
2. Go to Access work or school
   Click Access work or school in the right pane. If you see a connected account here, click it and then click Disconnect. Confirm the action.
3. Remove the Microsoft account from Email and accounts
   Back in Accounts, click Email and accounts. Under Accounts used by other apps, find the Microsoft account you used in the Store. Click it and select Remove. Confirm if prompted.
4. Restart the PC
   Click the Start menu, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
5. Re-add the account and sign into Store
   After restart, open Settings > Accounts > Email and accounts. Click Add a Microsoft account and sign in. Then open the Store, sign in with the same account, and check the Library page for the Install button.

Method 4: Use the Store Library Page Directly

1. Open the Microsoft Store
   Click the Store icon on the taskbar or search for it in the Start menu.
2. Navigate to Library
   Click Library in the left navigation pane. The Library shows all apps associated with your Microsoft account.
3. Find the app and click Install
   Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top of the Library page. When you find the app, click the Install button next to it. If the button is grayed out, click the app tile to open its product page. On the product page, the Install button should now be active.

If the Store Still Does Not Show the Install Button

Store Shows Owned but Button Is Grayed Out for All Apps

If every app in your Library shows as Owned with no Install button, the Store client may be corrupted. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter built into Windows 11. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Windows Store Apps and click Run. Follow the on-screen prompts. This tool detects and repairs broken Store components.

App Shows as Owned but Requires a Subscription

Some apps, such as Microsoft 365 or Xbox Game Pass titles, show as Owned because your account has a subscription. However, the Install button may be missing if the subscription is expired or if the subscription is tied to a different Microsoft account. Open Settings > Accounts > Email and accounts and verify that the account with the active subscription is listed. If it is not, add that account and sign into the Store with it.

Error 0x80070005 or 0x803F8001 Appears

These error codes indicate a licensing or permission issue. First, run the wsreset.exe command as described in Method 1. If the error persists, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and toggle Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update to On. Restart the PC and try the installation again.

Microsoft Store Owned vs Installable: Behavior Comparison

Item	Owned (No Install Button)	Installable (Button Visible)
License sync status	Partial or cached license from a previous device	Full entitlement synced with the current hardware ID
Store cache state	Corrupted or stale cache	Fresh cache after wsreset or Settings reset
Microsoft account connection	Multiple accounts or disconnected account	Single, primary account used for both Windows sign-in and Store
Subscription status	Expired or tied to a different account	Active subscription on the signed-in account
Hardware ID match	License locked to a previous device	License released or updated for the new device

The table shows the core differences between the two states. The most common cause is a stale cache or a license that has not finished syncing to the new hardware. Running wsreset.exe resolves over 80 percent of these cases.

You can now resolve the issue of the Microsoft Store showing an app as Owned but not installable on a new PC. Start with wsreset.exe or the Reset button in Settings. If the problem persists, disconnect and reconnect your Microsoft account. For persistent errors, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and verify your subscription status. As an advanced tip, you can also install the app directly from the Microsoft Store web page at apps.microsoft.com by signing in with the same account and clicking the Install button there, which often bypasses local cache problems.