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Nowadays, Windows users could get apps in a lot of ways but for ease of convenience, many opt for Windows Store (Microsoft). As long as people have a Microsoft account, they can download and install apps from the Windows Store. However, similar to its contemporaries, Windows Store receives its fair share of complaints as well and many of them focus on an error called “Pex-CatalogAvailabilityNotFound”. If the same error is giving you a hard time, you should spare a bit of time to read this article.
What Must Be Done
Surfaced as people download and install apps from the Microsoft Store, “Pex-CatalogAvailabilityNotFound” causes a lot of frustration but it’s solvable.
Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
As the name suggests, Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter is designed to locate and take care of issues that involve apps on Windows Store. Hence, once it comes to “Pex-CatalogAvailabilityNotFound”, you should consider running Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter.
- Step 1: Press Windows + I key to open Settings
- Step 2: Select Update & Security, choose Troubleshoot and hit Additional troubleshooters.
- Step 3: Locate Windows Store Apps from the list, click it and pick Run the troubleshooter. Allow the troubleshooter to run all the way. Assuming that the troubleshooter manages to identify the root cause, click Apply this fix then restart your computer.
If the troubleshooter is unable to determine what might have gone wrong, feel free to move on to the next solution.
Clear Windows Store Cache
Generally speaking, the cache of Windows Store speeds up operations but it may lead to problems on occasions. Thus, if you cannot download and install apps from Windows Store, clear the cache at the earliest opportunity.
- Step 1: Press Windows + R key to open Run.
- Step 2: Enter wsreset, press Ok and wait.
- Step 3: When the system tells you that the cache for the Store was cleared, proceed to download and install apps again.
Reset Windows Store
One effective and efficient fix for issues such as “Pex-CatalogAvailabilityNotFound” is to reset Microsoft Store. By doing so, you could get Store to revert to its default state and remove issues that complicate its performance.
- Step 1: Open Settings (Windows + I).
- Step 2: Select Apps, scroll down to the Microsoft Store and choose it.
- Step 3: Proceed to click Advanced options then pick Reset. Next, you may see a warning about the loss of data so hit lick Reset again to initiate the process in earnest.
Re-register Windows Store
WhenWindows Store acts up out of the blue, you may want to re-register it via CMD.
- Step 1: Press Windows + X key then click Command Prompt (Admin).
- Step 2: Copy the command down below, paste it to Command Prompt and hit Enter.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”
- Step 3: The moment the process wraps up, close Command Prompt, launch Windows Store and see how things turn out.
Disable Proxy Servers/VPNs
In case you don’t know, having a proxy server or a VPN enabled while using Windows Store would result in errors. The reason is straightforward: your PC’s IP address doesn’t match the information on your Windows account. Hence, if you’re using a VPN, turn it off/
Proxy connections, on the other hand, are more deceptive and you may not even be aware that you have one enabled. To determine if a proxy connection is up and running, go through the steps down below:
- Step 1: Press Windows + I key to open Settings.
- Step 2: Go to Network & Internet Proxy and hit Proxy.
- Step 3: Make sure the Use a proxy server option under Manual proxy setup is Off.
What If None Of The Above Methods Work?
If “Pex-CatalogAvailabilityNotFound” keeps bothering you, you should give time and language settings some thought. To be thorough, you should take a look at time and language of your computer.
- Step 1: Open Settings (Windows + I key), select Time & Language and choose Date & time.
- Step 2: Turn off Set the time zone automatically and ensure that your Time zone is correct.
- Step 3: If the time zone is correct, you may then turn on Set the time zone automatically.
- Step 4: Press the Sync now button under the Synchronize your clock option.
Is It Possible To Delete Microsoft Store?
There is no direct way to uninstall the Microsoft Store from Windows. If you like to get rid of Store, you have no choice but to use Windows PowerShell.
- Step 1: Type PowerShell in the Windows search bar, right-click it and pick “Run as administrator.”
- Step 2: Type get-appxpackage -allusers in PowerShell (Admin).
- Step 3: Navigate to “Microsoft.WindowsStore” then copy the information in the “PackageFullName” line to the clipboard.
- Step 4: Type remove-appxpackage followed by a space in the new line of PowerShell. Paste the Package Name you copied over to the clipboard earlier. The result should be something like: remove-appxpackage Microsoft.WindowsStore_11712.1001.16.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
- Step 5: Press Enter and the Microsoft Store should now be uninstalled.
Tuan Do is an accomplished author, content provider, and IT specialist with a strong background in computer science. Having studied IT at Hanoi Bach Khoa University, he possesses extensive knowledge in the field and specializes in Microsoft Windows. Tuan plays a vital role as a valued member of 4G Britain magazine, where he provides engaging content, tutorials, and practical fixes for readers. His expertise allows him to simplify complex concepts, making him a reliable source of accurate and insightful tech information. With a deep passion for technology, Tuan is committed to keeping readers informed about the latest advancements in the industry. Through his contributions to 4G Britain, he empowers both tech enthusiasts and professionals by delivering valuable insights and solutions. Tuan’s dedication to providing exceptional content ensures that readers can rely on him as a trustworthy resource in the ever-evolving world of technology.