Error 0x80073cf9 when installing or updating apps from windows store

On my Windows 8 desktop I keep getting error 0x80073cf9 when I try to install or update an app from the windows store.

In the installings apps pane it just says "This app wasn't installed -- view details" and when I select that it says "Something happened and this app couldn't be installed. Please try again. Error code: 0x80073cf9"

I am using the built-in windows firewall and antivirus. And my laptop is able to install updates when it is on the same network.

This is what winstore.log shows when I try to update the maps app:

2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] ***********************************************************************
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] Process name: C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] User name: Desktop\User
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] Computer name: desktop
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] Windows build: 9200.16424.amd64fre.win8_gdr.120926-1855
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011628] Client version: 615
2012-10-18 15:31:47.328, _Info_                WS   [00015160:00011428] CWSTileUpdateHandler::Worker: Broker is handling badge updates.
2012-10-18 15:31:47.554, _Info_                WS   [00002572:00008200] CProgressDispatcher::OnProgress: AppId = 97a2179c-38be-45a3-933e-0d2dbf14a142, PFN = Microsoft.BingMaps_8wekyb3d8bbwe, InstallPhase = 1, PhasePercent = 0, TotalPercent = 0
2012-10-18 15:31:47.558, _Warning_             WS   [00002572:00008200] CDownloadProgress::IDownloadCompletedCallback::Invoke: Download complete result 0x80073cf9 for Microsoft.BingMaps_8wekyb3d8bbwe
2012-10-18 15:31:47.559, _Error_               WS   [00002572:00008200] CActionItem::_DoDownload: Download failed for 97a2179c-38be-45a3-933e-0d2dbf14a142, hr=0x80073cf9
2012-10-18 15:31:47.560, _Info_                WS   [00002572:00008200] CActionItem::_DoDownload: Notifying progress handlers of download failure for 97a2179c-38be-45a3-933e-0d2dbf14a142, hr=0x80073cf9
2012-10-18 15:31:47.560, _Error_               WS   [00002572:00008200] CProgressDispatcher::OnError: PFN = Microsoft.BingMaps_8wekyb3d8bbwe, InstallPhase = 1, hrError = 0x80073cf9

Solution 1:

Not sure how it could have happened, but this seems to be a possible solution:

The problem is that the folder AUInstallAgent is missing from the Windows folder. I had this problem, recreated the folder and low and behold all is working fine. Now what I want to know is why the folder disappeared in the first place, because I didn't delete it, and looking around the web I'm not alone....

Solution 2:

Microsoft has a support article, Troubleshoot problems with an app, that offers a download of the Windows Store App Troubleshooter which will try to detect and correct any problems with the Store.

This solved it for me.

(I have tried all the mentioned solutions and none of them worked for me. I also tried to run WSReset, uninstall and re-install, nothing wanted to work. I was about to format and reload my PC, when I found one last suggestion to try and it sorted out the problem!)

Solution 3:

First I do not want to take credit for this!

The hint was given by "Alex from the ’90s", as solution for a download problem of Asphalt 9.

ERROR 0x80073CF9 nagged me for over a year now. All store repair procedures failed, ending with the reinstall all suggestion.

Now here the solution. Take care modifying registry values!

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\NtfsDisableEncryption

It's value has to be set to ZERO.

Apparently the Microsoft Store wants to make use of partial file encryption, possibly for license protection reasons.

If you have that value set to 1 accidently (maybe with a modding tool), that procedure simply fails. 0x80073CF9 is maybe not the best code to indicate that.