Key Takeaways:
- Slow Microsoft Store downloads can be caused by various factors including network issues, hidden download caps, and app-related problems
- Optimizing Windows settings, clearing the Microsoft Store cache, and running the troubleshooter can help boost download speeds
- Using a wired connection, closing background apps, and updating your network drivers can also improve Microsoft Store download performance
As a tech expert with years of experience troubleshooting Windows PCs, I’ve encountered many users frustrated by extremely slow download speeds on the Microsoft Store. Downloads that should take minutes end up taking hours, making it a real pain to get the apps and games you want. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to diagnose and resolve this issue.
First, it’s important to understand some of the common causes behind sluggish Microsoft Store downloads:
- Poor network connection – If your internet is slow or unreliable in general, that will definitely impact your Microsoft Store speeds. Run a speed test to check your download rate.
- Hidden download limit – Windows has a setting that can restrict how much bandwidth the Microsoft Store uses in the background. You may need to adjust this.
- App & cache issues – Sometimes the Microsoft Store app itself is the problem, either due to corrupted cache data or other glitches. Resetting it can help.
- Metered connection – If you have your PC set to a metered connection to limit data usage, that can also throttle your Microsoft Store downloads.
Now that you know what might be slowing things down, here are the top methods to get your downloads moving faster:
Table of Contents
Optimize Delivery Optimization settings
Windows has a feature called Delivery Optimization that allows you to adjust the bandwidth the Microsoft Store can use. To speed things up:
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security
- Select Delivery Optimization
- Click Advanced Options
- Ensure the “Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background” is checked
- Move the slider to 100%[3]
Clear Microsoft Store cache
Corrupted cache files can cause all sorts of issues with the Microsoft Store, including slow downloads. Clearing the cache can get things running smoothly again:
- Press Win+R to open the Run dialog
- Type wsreset.exe and click OK
- Let the blank Command Prompt window do its thing and close[1][2]
Run the troubleshooter
Windows includes a handy troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix issues with the Microsoft Store:
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security
- Select Troubleshoot
- Click Additional troubleshooters
- Find Windows Store Apps and click Run the troubleshooter[5][8]
Use a wired Ethernet connection
If possible, connect your PC directly to your router with an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi. Wired connections are almost always faster and more reliable.[15]
Close background apps
Other apps running in the background, especially things like streaming or downloads, can hog your bandwidth and slow down the Microsoft Store. Close out of any unnecessary programs before starting a big download.[3]
Disable metered connection
If you have your Wi-Fi set as a metered connection, that can limit background downloads:
- Open Settings and go to Network & Internet
- Select Wi-Fi and click Manage known networks
- Select your network and click Properties
- Turn off “Set as metered connection”[13]
Update network drivers
Outdated or buggy network drivers can cause all sorts of connectivity and speed issues. Updating to the latest drivers may help:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand the Network Adapters section
- Right-click your network adapter and select Update driver[10]
Use a download manager
If the Microsoft Store is still struggling, you can try using a third-party download manager app. These can often speed up and optimize large downloads better than the Store itself.[15]
I’ve used these techniques to dramatically speed up Microsoft Store downloads on many PCs over the years. In most cases, you can go from sluggish sub-1MB/s speeds to maxing out your connection. Just work through these steps in order, and you should see a noticeable improvement.
Of course, if your internet is very slow to begin with, there’s only so much you can do on your end. In that case, you may need to contact your ISP about upgrading to a faster plan. But for most people, these simple tweaks should get your Microsoft Store downloads back up to speed in no time.
Citations:
[1] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-store-download-speed-painfully-slow/48d85a15-5f54-4d40-ae34-5b8b88f8bdcc
[2] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/fix-problems-with-apps-from-microsoft-store-93ed0bcf-9c12-3df6-6dda-92ec5d0415ac
[3] https://www.computerworld.com/article/3029168/how-to-speed-up-windows-10.html
[4] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/slow-pc-xbox-storewindows-store-download/9c98eeff-cf6e-46e2-86c4-9648de034d15
[5] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-store-not-downloading-or-updating/033692f7-413d-46d5-8472-74689c263c99
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDbZ_IcePxM
[7] https://superuser.com/questions/1783935/how-to-fix-extremely-slow-microsoft-store-downloads
[8] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-store-is-not-downloading-anything/aa5a5c3d-5d6d-41dc-811d-fb2d74e66bc7
[9] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-increase-download-speed-of-the-app-store/7e497ed3-0c62-46a6-8b7e-a20a1b6aba9f
[10] https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmanager/microsoft-store-download-slow.html
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8VfW1ayoA
[12] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/maximize-upload-and-download-speed-8eeadfb8-501f-406d-997b-98ab6ff67f43
[13] https://systembooster.minitool.com/boost-pc/microsoft-store-slow-download.html
[14] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/i-can-t-find-or-install-an-app-from-microsoft-store-ca530de4-cd19-f728-dae7-7368fab8df4d
[15] https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/how-to-increase-download-speed-on-your-pc/
[16] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/xbox/forum/all/sub-10mbs-download-speed-on-pc-xbox-app/6eb450fb-3cf4-49f1-b76f-5502dfce615e
[17] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-store-error-when-i-download-it-gives-me/0c1d7379-254c-41e8-a715-3e1b5465a890
[18] https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/pc-performance/tips-to-speed-up-windows-10
[19] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/microsoft-store-doesn-t-open-126a875d-8b72-def1-0af6-d325276a058b
[20] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqDupVEHM1I
