0x80073cfa Error Uninstalling Apps: Fixes

The 0x80073cfa error appears when Windows fails to uninstall or update a Microsoft Store app, often due to corrupted app packages or system file issues. You can usually fix it by running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, resetting the Microsoft Store cache, or using PowerShell to remove the problematic app manually.

What Causes Error 0x80073cfa?

This error is tied to the Windows AppX deployment service, which handles installing, updating, and removing apps from the Microsoft Store. The most common triggers are:

• Corrupted app package files or a partially installed update
• Damaged Windows system files, often after a failed update or disk error
• Conflicts with third-party antivirus software that locks app files
• Insufficient permissions or a misconfigured user profile
• Problems with the Microsoft Store cache itself

While the error message doesn’t specify which app is affected, it typically occurs with built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, or Xbox, or with any app that hasn’t been updated in a long time.

Before You Start: Basic Checks

Try these quick steps first—they resolve a surprising number of cases:

1. Restart your PC. A simple reboot clears temporary locks on app files.
2. Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates, then retry the uninstall.
3. Make sure your system date and time are correct. Wrong time can break app licensing checks.
4. If you use third-party antivirus, temporarily disable its real-time protection and try again. Re-enable it immediately after.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix issues with Store apps.

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot (on Windows 11, it’s Settings > System > Troubleshoot).
2. Select Additional troubleshooters (or Other troubleshooters on Windows 11).
3. Click Windows Store Apps and then Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. It may take a few minutes and might ask you to sign in or restart.

If the troubleshooter finds problems, it will attempt to fix them automatically. After it finishes, try uninstalling the app again.

Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

The Store cache can become corrupted, causing errors like 0x80073cfa. Resetting it is safe and won’t delete your apps or data.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
3. A blank Command Prompt window will appear—this is normal. Wait for it to finish and automatically open the Microsoft Store.
4. Close the Store and try uninstalling the problematic app again.

If wsreset.exe doesn’t help, you can also try clearing the Store cache manually by deleting the contents of %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache. Make sure the Store is closed first.

Use PowerShell to Force Uninstall the App

If the standard uninstall fails, you can remove the app directly via PowerShell. This method bypasses the Store interface and often works when other methods don’t.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. If you know the app’s exact package name, you can skip to step 4. Otherwise, run this command to list all apps installed for your user:

Get-AppxPackage | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName

3. Find the app you want to remove and note its PackageFullName (e.g., Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.4.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe).
4. Run this command, replacing PackageFullName with the actual name:

Remove-AppxPackage -Package PackageFullName

If you get an error saying the package is not found, try the command without the full name—just the app name:

Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Remove-AppxPackage

For example, to remove the Solitaire Collection:

Get-AppxPackage *Solitaire* | Remove-AppxPackage

This re-registers the app and often clears the error. Note that this removes the app for your user only; if you want to remove it for all users, you’d need to use Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage in an elevated PowerShell, but that’s rarely necessary.

Re-register All Store Apps

If the error affects multiple apps, re-registering all Store apps can fix underlying corruption. This process reinstalls the app manifests without deleting your data.

1. Open Windows PowerShell (Admin) as described above.
2. Run this command:

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

This re-registers every built-in app. It may take a few minutes and will show a blue progress bar. After it completes, restart your PC and try uninstalling the app again.

Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files can cause the AppX deployment service to fail. Use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to repair them.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. First, run DISM to repair the system image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This can take 10-20 minutes. Don’t close the window.

3. After DISM finishes, run SFC:

sfc /scannow

SFC will scan and repair protected system files. If it finds issues, it will fix them automatically. Restart your PC after both commands complete, then try the uninstall again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting the Store cache delete my apps or data?

No. Resetting the cache only clears temporary files and settings related to the Store’s interface. Your installed apps and their data remain untouched. However, you may need to sign in to the Store again.

Can I uninstall a built-in Windows app like Mail or Calculator?

Yes, most built-in apps can be uninstalled using the methods above, but they may reappear after a major Windows update. If you want to permanently remove them for all users, you’d need to use Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage in an elevated PowerShell, but this is not recommended for casual users.

What if PowerShell says “Package cannot be found”?

This usually means the app is not installed for your user account, or the package name is incorrect. Run Get-AppxPackage to list all packages and copy the exact PackageFullName. If the app is installed for another user, you may need to log into that account or use the -AllUsers flag with caution.

Why does the error happen only when I try to update an app?

Updating an app is essentially uninstalling the old version and installing the new one. If the old version is corrupted or locked, the update fails with the same error. The fixes above—especially re-registering the app and clearing the Store cache—usually resolve this.

Is it safe to use the PowerShell commands?

Yes, as long as you only remove apps you own and understand. The commands listed above are standard Windows management tools. Avoid deleting system-critical packages like Microsoft.WindowsStore or Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost, as that could break the Start menu or Store.

Will this error affect my personal files?

No. The 0x80073cfa error only affects the app installation/uninstallation process. Your documents, photos, and other personal data are safe. However, if the problematic app itself contains data (like a game save), uninstalling it will delete that app’s local data.

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