Fix Windows Store Slow Download Issue with this Easy Guide

Background of the problem

Windows store slow download issue usually comes up to you when you are trying to download an app or game for your device from the Windows store facility. This problem arises when a network connection issue or a software glitch is available. To fix this issue and make the speed reasonable, you need to follow some fixing steps.

History of the Windows Store

Microsoft Store is previously known as the Windows store which is originally designed for applications and other digital software downloads for Windows 8 and Windows server 2012. Microsoft Store is a unified distribution hub for console games, apps, and digital videos. Also, it is created when Microsoft combined its other distribution platforms (Ex: Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Windows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Store, and a web storefront also known as “Microsoft Store”) with Windows 10. Till the end of 2017, E-books and digital music were included respectively.

How it becomes the Microsoft Store

In September 2017, with a new icon bearing the Microsoft logo, Microsoft started rebranding Windows Store as Microsoft Store. To this new version of the platform, Xbox Store was merged. Also, Microsoft’s platform convergence approach for all operating systems based on Windows 10 is consistent with it. Both web applications and traditional desktop software can be built for Windows Store distribution.

Because the sandboxing facility is possible, the App-V system is used to package desktop software published through the Windows Store. In February 2018, Microsoft made an announcement mentioning that progressive web apps would start to be offered in the Microsoft Store. The company said it would either allow developers to submit progressive web apps to the Microsoft Store or automatically add a select number of high-quality progressive web apps using the Bing crawler.

Here’s how to fix the Windows store slow download issue

When the Windows store download speed is slow, one of the things you will come to experience is, your applications, software, and other things you are downloading through the store are getting longer time periods to finish. When this issue occurs on your device, you have to wait for longer time periods to enjoy the particular application or software which you started to download through the store. To fix this issue you need to follow the following steps.

Solution:01 Check the internet connection speed

If you want your download speed to be higher, then your internet connection should have a higher download speed. Because otherwise, the download speed of anything through any device won’t be a speed one. So to check the download speed of your internet connection you can use the speedtest.net site. To do that please follow the steps below.

Time Needed: 3 minutes

Checking internet speed

• Using any device open the web browser.
• Now search for speedtest.net website to perform a free speed test for your internet connection.
• Tap on go and it will initiate the speed test on your internet connection.

By following the above steps you can check the speed of the internet connection you use and also it should match your subscription plan with the internet service provider. If the internet speed is too slow, you need to make sure you have access to a faster internet connection to eliminate this problem.

Restart the device

Also, there is another method to increase the internet speed of your device. It is to restart the device regularly. It usually fixes common issues like download speed issues. To do that you can restart the router or you can restart the Windows device you are using to download the applications and software.

Simple router reset and computer reset

Step 1: First shut down the computer using the proper method.

Step 2: Now remove the power cables and wires from the router.

Step 3: Then after a few minutes reconnect the router to the power supply and allow it to turn on.

Step 4: wait a little while until the lights are turned on, on the router.

Step 5: Now turn on the computer and go to the Windows store and check the download speed.

In case you are using Wi-Fi signals to connect to the internet and make your downloads try using the Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi signals from your router. Because some time signal can be disturbed due to external factors and make your download speed lower.

Solution:02 Windows update

Please make sure that you have updated your Windows to its latest version. Because in some cases the old versions of windows may cause this problem on the Windows storage facility. Normally in any software update the service provider always fixes the existing bugs with the next update so its users can get rid of those when they do the update. Also, it will boost the security of your device against threats and performance.

Updating Windows

Step 1: First right-click the start button.

Step 2: Then select Settings. This will open Windows settings.

Step 3: Now select Windows Update on the bottom left menu of the new window that appears which will take you to the Update section.

Step 4: Then select Check for updates.

Solution:03 Check Microsoft servers

If there is a server outage or any maintenance going on the Windows server you might get this Windows store slow download issue. To make sure of this you can check it on the Microsoft Azure platform because the Windows store runs on this platform. In any case, if there is server maintenance or any issue going on the server, it is better to wait until the process is done because the speed issue might be a result of the current maintenance ongoing.

Solution: 04 Do not download during peak hours

When you are using an internet connection sometimes it has a good internet speed and sometimes the downloading speed is low. That is because of the higher usage and the lower usage around the area. If you are performing your download process during a high traffic time on the day your downloading speed may become lower than usual. If you do that in a less congested time of the day your normal download speed according to the subscription plan can be used without any problem.

Solution:05 Update network adapters

You can improve your internet download speed by updating the network adapter on the device. Also, updated drivers always fix issues like slow internet speeds or download speeds on the network. In this case, you should check whether there is any update available for your network adapter and if there is any please make sure to update it properly.

Updating network adapter drivers

Step 1: Go to the search bar on the desktop screen and type the device manager on it and search for that. Once it appears on the results please click on it.

Step 2: Then click the network display adapter icon and a list of adapters will appear to select.

Step 3: Then right click on the Wi-Fi driver and choose the update option and this will update the driver.

Step 4: Now select search automatically for drivers. This will search for a new driver update for your device using the internet.

Step 5: Then right-click on the Ethernet adapter and please choose the updated driver.

Step 6: Now select search automatically for drivers. This will search for a new driver update for your device using the internet.

Solution:06 Use Google DNS addresses

As a possible workaround, you can change your DNS address to a new one such as one of Google’s DNS addresses if the problem still continues. The DNS connection change will definitely improve your internet connection status and it will improve the download speed as well.

Changing DNS address

Step 1: Go to the desktop and search for the Control Panel once it appears on the list of results please click on it.

Step 2: Now click on the Network and Sharing Center.

Step 3: Then click on Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or any other connections that you are currently using.

Step 4: Click on Properties.

Step 5: Now click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP /IPv4) then click on Properties.

Please use the following DNS server addresses:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Step 6: Now check on the check box beside Validate settings and then click OK.

After you have finished the process of changing the DNS address you need to flush your cache.

Step 7: To do this open Command Prompt, then on the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew

Solution:07 Stop other downloading apps

 In some cases, when you are downloading applications using the internet and the internet connection is already at its maximum downloading speed, then it won’t be able to download the new application through the Windows store at a reasonable speed. If you want to allocate the full downloading speed of the connection, to the Windows store facility you need to close all the other applications or devices to stop those from using the internet connection. You can use the task manager option to close any unwanted background application and also disconnect all the external devices that have connected to the internet connection.

Closing background programs

Step 1: Right-click on the Start button. It can be seen on the bottom left corner of your desktop screen.

Step 2: Then choose the Task Manager and click on it.

Step 3: Now on the pop-up window, Click on the processes tab. This will show you the running program.

Step 4: Then right-click on the running program that is using bandwidth and select the End task option. This will allow you to close the unused program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my download so slow on windows 11?

This problem can be caused by several issues. Such issues are DNS server issues, miss configured settings, router issues, and due to a metered connection. If you need to fix this issue and make your download speed higher please check the above issues one by one. Also, it might be a Wi-Fi signal issue, so if it is possible it is better to use an Ethernet cable to receive a direct connection from the router to avoid any signal issues from your router.

Why can’t I download anything from the Microsoft store?

There are a number of fixes that you can do to fix this issue

• First, you can log out from the store and log in back again after a few minutes using the same credentials.
• Sometimes your antivirus software is making trouble when you are trying to download so try disabling it temporarily.
• Restart the computer and make sure you have the most up to the dated version of Windows.
• You can clear the Microsoft Store Cache.
• You can run built-in troubleshooting utilities.
• Please check for the storage availability of your device.
• If all of the above steps do not work you can always perform a settings restore.

Why is installing windows 10 taking so long?

To solve this issue first you need to make sure that your computer is meeting the minimum system requirements of Windows 10. Also please make sure that you are using a better installation method when you are trying to install Windows 10 on your PC. It is always better to use a USB device and also please make sure that the port is working very well before you initiate the installation.

How to fix slow windows 7 startup?

You can solve this issue by removing unwanted applications from the startup menu using msconfig. Please type the msconfig on the Run option. After that, you need to go to the startup tab and uncheck all the unwanted programs in the startup. The after the unchecking process of the unwanted programs you need to restart the PC.