Windows 11 Microsoft Store Downloads Stuck at Acquiring License: Fix

When you try to download an app or game from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, the progress bar may stop at the message “Acquiring license” and never move forward. This issue typically occurs because the Store’s licensing service cannot verify your account permissions or because cached data in the Store has become corrupted. In this article, you will learn the exact steps to clear the Store cache, reset the licensing service, and restore normal download functionality.

Why the Microsoft Store Gets Stuck at Acquiring License on Windows 11

The Microsoft Store uses a background service called the Software Protection service to verify your digital license for each app or game. When this service fails to communicate with Microsoft’s activation servers, the download process stalls at the licensing stage. Common causes include a corrupted Store cache, an outdated Store app version, or a temporary glitch in your Microsoft account sign-in state. Network interruptions or proxy settings can also block the licensing handshake.

How the Licensing Process Works

When you click Install or Buy in the Store, Windows sends a request to the Microsoft licensing server. The server checks your Microsoft account for an existing license or processes a new purchase. Once approved, the server sends a token back to your PC. The Software Protection service then validates this token and permits the download to proceed. If any step in this chain fails, you see the “Acquiring license” message indefinitely.

Common Triggers for This Stuck State

A recent Windows update can sometimes reset the Software Protection service configuration. Using a VPN or a metered connection may interfere with the licensing server connection. Signing out and back into the Microsoft Store without clearing stale tokens can also cause the issue. In most cases, the problem is not hardware-related and can be fixed with the steps below.

Steps to Clear the Store Cache and Reset the Licensing Service

These steps are arranged from the simplest to the most thorough. Try them in order until the download proceeds past the “Acquiring license” stage.

1. Close the Microsoft Store completely
   Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to open Task Manager. Look for Microsoft Store under the Processes tab. Right-click it and select End task. This ensures no background Store processes are blocking the next steps.
2. Run the WSReset.exe tool
   Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter. A black command window appears for a few seconds, then the Microsoft Store opens automatically. This command clears the Store cache without affecting your installed apps or settings. Try the download again.
3. Reset the Microsoft Store app
   Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Scroll to Microsoft Store and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Advanced options. Scroll down and click Reset. A confirmation dialog appears; click Reset again. Wait for the checkmark icon to appear. Relaunch the Store and attempt the download.
4. Restart the Software Protection service
   Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. In the Services window, scroll down to Software Protection. Right-click it and select Restart. If the service is not running, right-click it and select Start. After restarting, try the download again.
5. Sign out and sign back into the Store
   Open the Microsoft Store. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Sign out. Close the Store. Reopen the Store and click the profile icon again. Select Sign in and enter your Microsoft account credentials. This refreshes the license tokens associated with your account.
6. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
   Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Windows Store Apps and click Run. Follow the on-screen prompts. The troubleshooter will detect and attempt to fix common licensing and cache issues automatically.
7. Reinstall the Microsoft Store
   Open PowerShell as Administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Windows Terminal Admin. Type Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter. Then type Get-AppXPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} and press Enter. This removes and re-registers the Store app. Restart your PC.

If the Microsoft Store Still Stays Stuck at Acquiring License

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, the problem may be related to your Microsoft account or system files. Below are additional checks and fixes.

Account Permission Expired or Revoked

If you recently changed your Microsoft account password or enabled two-factor authentication, the Store may still hold an old token. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Under Security, review recent sign-in activity. If you see an unrecognized device, remove it and sign back into the Store on your PC.

Corrupted System Files Blocking the Licensing Service

Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete. If it finds corrupted files, it will repair them automatically. Then type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Restart your PC after the DISM tool finishes.

Network Proxy or Firewall Blocking License Verification

If you use a corporate or school network, the firewall may block the licensing server. Temporarily disconnect from any VPN and set your network to a private profile. Open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and ensure Automatically detect settings is turned on. If you have a manual proxy script, temporarily disable it to test.

Microsoft Store Download Issues: Acquiring License vs Other Stuck States

Item	Acquiring License	Other Stuck States
Description	Download stops at license verification	Download stops at 0% or after progress begins
Primary cause	Software Protection service failure or corrupted cache	Network interruption, disk write error, or insufficient space
Best fix	Run WSReset.exe and restart the Software Protection service	Check free disk space, disable metered connection, or restart the Windows Update service
Time to resolve	Usually under 5 minutes	Can require more extensive network or disk troubleshooting

After completing the steps above, your Microsoft Store downloads should proceed past the “Acquiring license” stage. If the issue returns frequently, consider keeping the Software Protection service set to Automatic startup in Services.msc. You can also create a desktop shortcut for wsreset.exe to run the cache clear quickly whenever needed. For persistent cases, creating a new local user account and linking it to your Microsoft account can provide a clean slate for Store licensing.