Store - Enable or Disable in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable Store in Windows 8 and 8.1


This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable access to the Store for all or specified users in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Warning

• You will need to be signed in Windows 8 with a Microsoft Account using your Windows Live ID email address to be able to download and install modern apps to your user account in Windows 8 from the Windows Store.
• To be able to access (if enabled below) the Windows Store to download and run apps, you will need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
• For Windows 8Store apps to work, you must have UAC enabled, Windows Firewall service must be running (started and Automatic), and not currently signed in to the built-in elevated "Administrator" account.

EXAMPLE: Windows Store Access Disabled
NOTE: This is what users that have been denied access will see when they try to open and access the Store app on the Start screen.

OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable "Windows Store" using a REG File Download

   Note

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore

RemoveWindowsStore DWORD

0 = Enable Store
1 = Disable Store

1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Enable "Store" for Only Current User in Windows 8
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_Windows-Store.reg





3. To Disable "Store" for Only Current User in Windows 8


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_Windows-Store.reg





4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable "Windows Store" in Group Policy

NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open Store. (see screenshot below)



3. In the right pane of Store, double click/tap on Turn off the Store application. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.

5. To Enable "Store" in Windows 8

A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.


6. To Disable "Store" in Windows 8

A) Select (dot) Enabled, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)





7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.


That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Restore Missing "Store" Tile on Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Create a "Store" App Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Enable or Disable Store on Windows To Go Workspaces
• How to Install Metro Apps from Windows 8 Store
• How to Add, Edit, or Remove a Payment Method to your Account in Windows 8 Store
• How to Sign in with a Different Microsoft Account to the Store in Windows 8
• How to Uninstall Metro Apps in Windows 8
• How to Update Metro Apps in Windows 8
• How to Enable or Disable Automatic Download of App Updates in Windows 8 Store
• How to Add or Remove "Look for an app in the Store" Link in Windows 8 "Open with"
• How to Enable or Disable App Localization in the Windows Store in Windows 8
• How to Remove "Your PCs" from the Store in Windows 8
• How to Clear the Windows Store Cache in Windows 8
• Troubleshoot and Fix Store App Issues in Windows 8 with "Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter"

 

[Vince53]

Okay, "Why" is Windows Store disabled on my computer?

 

[Brink]

Hello Vince,

Do you meet the requirements listed in the red warning box at the top of the tutorial?

 

[Vince53]

Brink, Old Buddy, I'm afraid that you have solved two problems for me: why I can't activate Aero and why I can't activate the Windows Store. My resolution isn't set high enough, and although my video card can easily handle it, my monitor is set as high as it will go. It is manufactured in China by Vorago ("a deep hole, chasm, or abyss") a Chinese company that does not have a website.

Device Manager tells me that the 2006 MS driver that is installed is the best there is. I saved everything when I got this rig, and there is no CD installer for the monitor. I typed the model number into Google and all it gives is retail sites, but no driver sites.

 

[Brink]

I'm sorry to hear that Vince.

However, it does make for a good reason to treat yourself to a new monitor if you like. They have some great prices out there for them now.

 

[5ggggg]

Is there a way to get the store app with the built-in admin ? I Already tried the above and activated UAC ... but maybe not in the right combination ..

 

[Brink]

Hello 5ggggg,

I'm afraid not. You must be signed in to Windows with a non-elevated account, and signed in to the Store with a Microsoft account.

 

[5ggggg]

Brink ... THX for fast reply !!!
Finally I tried to move your store shortcut to the Startmenü of the built-in admin. This way the store seems to work on Metro start.
- Is there any difference when using the store compared to the store of the other user accounts ?
PS-OT: How can I find out why the upgrade to W8.1 (I have Win8pro) is not presented in the store ??? I restored a backup from 2013 before ... maybe I msut update ... what I didnt want to do .... maybe I should the w8.1 iso I downloaded with the help of this forum instaed ...

 

[Brink]

You'll need to be signed in to a Microsoft account.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32995-windows-8-1-upgrade-windows-8-8-1-preview.html

 

[wpcoe]

The "Option One" registry editing method either has changed or is in error. The Option One instructions say:

Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore

RemoveWindowsStore DWORD

0 = Enable Store
1 = Disable Store

On my system, it's in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE not HKEY_CURRENT_USER:



I'm using Win8.1 non-Pro with all updates, so I guess I have what's called Win8.1.1, i.e. version 6.3.9600.

 

[Brink]

The "Option One" registry editing method either has changed or is in error. The Option One instructions say:

Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore

RemoveWindowsStore DWORD

0 = Enable Store
1 = Disable Store

On my system, it's in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE not HKEY_CURRENT_USER:

View attachment 50001

I'm using Win8.1 non-Pro with all updates, so I guess I have what's called Win8.1.1, i.e. version 6.3.9600.

Hello wpcoe,

The tutorial is correct, but it also just depends on if you set the policy in User Configuration or Computer Configuration in the Local Group Policy.

User Configuration = HKCU in registry. This is the one the tutorial uses.

Computer Configuration = HKLM in registry

The .reg file in the tutorial removes the HKLM location, and sets it at the HKCU location.

By default, this policy is not set in the registry. It has to be added.

Hope this helps.

 

[wpcoe]

Now I'm getting more confused, a common event these days, sadly. I set no policy anyplace. I simply went into regedit looking for the key to change, and didn't find it HKCU. I found it in HKLM. Took a while to find it. I almost gave up.

FYI, this was on a new Lenovo notebook.

 

[Brink]

Yep, to be safe step 2 in OPTION ONE removes this at both locations to enable the Store.

 

[Pepper]

I know this is an old thread. However, I noticed when the HKCU registry modification is used Windows does not automatically check for updates. When using the HKLM it does check. Just my experience (Win8.1).