At times, you might find the Microsoft Store is blocked error while opening it in Windows 11. Although it can happen in an organization to prevent regular users from installing unnecessary apps on the PC, it is pretty unusual on a home computer. However, if you have got this error on your home computer or on a computer where you are the only administrator, you can follow these solutions.
Microsoft Store blocked by administrator in Windows 11
To Microsoft Store blocked by administrator error in Windows 11, follow these steps: To learn more about these steps, continue reading.
1] Remove custom rule
It is the first thing you need to do in order to fix this above-mentioned error. In Windows 11, it is possible to create a custom rule to allow or deny a specific app from running on your computer. If you have done it mistakenly in the past, you may get issues while accessing the Microsoft Store app. Therefore, you need to verify if there is any such rule or not. If it is for blocking the Microsoft Store app, you need to remove it accordingly. First, press Win+R to open the Run prompt, type secpol.msc, and press the Enter button to open the Local Security policy panel. Then, navigate to Application Control Policies > AppLocker > Packaged app Rules. Here you can find all the custom rules you created earlier. Find out a rule that has Microsoft.WindowsStore in the name. Double-click on it and see if the Action is set as Allow or Deny.
If it is set to Deny, go back to the previous screen, right-click on the rule and select the Delete option.
Then, you need to confirm the change. Once done, close all the windows and try to open the Microsoft Store. Hopefully, you will be able to open it without any problem.
2] Disable Group Policy setting
There is a Group Policy setting, which might be responsible for this error. You need to check if it is turned on or not. If turned on, you must disable it.
Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter button.Navigate to this path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Store.Double-click on the Turn off the Store application setting.Choose the Not Configured option.Click the OK button.
Then, close all windows and try opening the Microsoft Store app. Read: Security software blocks UWP app from opening
3] Unblock using Registry
The same Group Policy setting can be enabled through the Registry Editor as well. Therefore, follow these steps to delete the corresponding Registry key: Press Win+R > type regedit > hit the Enter button. Click the Yes option. Navigate to this path: Right-click on the RemoveWindowsStore REG_DWORD value. Select the Delete option. Click the Yes button. Then, restart your computer and open the Microsoft Store in Windows 11. Read: This app has been blocked due to Company Policy.
How do I fix Microsoft Store is blocked by administrator?
To fix the Microsoft Store is blocked by administrator error, you must delete the custom rule made in the Local Security Policy panel. For that, you can follow the very first solution mentioned in this article. That said, you can go to Application Control Policies > AppLocker > Packaged app Rules, right-click on the custom rule and select the Delete option.
How do I turn off Microsoft Store restrictions?
Depending upon the restrictions, you can try using the Local Security Policy, Local Group Policy Editor, and the Registry Editor to turn that off. You need to follow the aforementioned guides one after one if you cannot determine the exact error message. However, in most cases, you can resolve the error with the help of the Local Security Policy. That’s all! Hope this guide helped. Read: This app has been blocked for your protection by your system administrator.
