What you will achieve

Find, install, and update apps from Microsoft Store on Windows 11 — fix stuck downloads, manage the correct Microsoft account, and keep apps current automatically.

1) Open Microsoft Store and sign in

Open Microsoft Store from Start or search.
Click your profile icon → Sign in with the Microsoft account that owns purchases and Game Pass subscriptions.
On shared PCs, use the account that should receive licences — Store apps install per user profile.

2) Install an app

Search for the app or browse categories.
Open the app page → click Get or Install.
Watch download progress under Library → Downloads and updates (Store menu → Library).
Launch from Start once install completes — pinned apps appear in All apps.

3) Enable automatic updates

In Store, open Library.
Click Get updates to update all apps manually.
Ensure App settings (profile icon → App settings) has App updates enabled.
Also verify Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Receive updates for other Microsoft products is on for broader Microsoft updates.

4) Fix pending or stuck downloads

Cancel the download in Library, then retry.
Run Store reset: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Microsoft Store → Advanced options → Reset.
Reset Windows Update components if Store errors reference 0x80070005 or similar — see our update reset guide.
Check disk space in Settings → System → Storage — Store fails silently when the drive is full.

5) Install from web link or winget alternative

Many publishers share Store links (ms-windows-store:// URLs). For scripted installs, winget often mirrors Store packages:

winget search "App Name"
winget install Publisher.AppId

Store remains best for Game Pass, bundled Office trials, and apps requiring Store licence validation.

6) Offline and multi-device installs

Store licences tie to your Microsoft account. On a second PC, sign into the same account, open Library, and click Install on owned apps — no repurchase needed. For offline machines, download installers where publishers provide them; winget offline cache is an alternative for enterprise deployment but outside consumer Store workflow.