How to get the new Microsoft Store app on Windows 11 (preview)

By Mauro Huculak
last updated

Did you install the first preview build of Windows 11, but the new Microsoft Store experience is missing? Here's is a quick way to get it.

Windows 11 new Microsoft Store
Windows 11 new Microsoft Store (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft recently released the first public preview of Windows 11 (build 22000.51) for developers and enthusiasts, and with it, the company shipped a lot of new features and improvements, including a new Start menu and an updated taskbar that now both have a centered alignment, the next evolution of Action Center, an updated version of File Explorer, and a newly redesigned app for the Microsoft Store.

However, it seems that there has been some confusion among participants of the Windows Insider Program regarding the new Store because some users have been reporting that after installing the Windows 11 build 22000.51, the preview of the new app is nowhere to be found.

If you came across this problem, this is not Microsoft limiting who can access the first preview of the Store. The confusion here is that this preview of Windows does not come with the app pre-installed. You actually need to get it manually using the legacy version of the Store if the app wasn't already updated automatically.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to force-install the new Microsoft Store app in the first or future Insider builds of the new OS.

How to install the first preview of the Microsoft Store

To get the preview of the new Microsoft Store app on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open the classic Microsoft Store.
  2. Click the See more (three-dotted) button and select the Downloads and updates option.

Microsoft Store app updates option

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Get updates button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, the system will check all apps for updates, including the Microsoft Store. During this process, the Store app will close automatically, and the next time you open it, you should be able to see the new experience.

Enable automatic Store updates

To make sure that future updates download automatically as soon as they are ready, configure the Microsoft Store to update apps automatically.

To change the update settings for the new Microsoft Store, use these steps:

  1. Open the classic Microsoft Store.
  2. Click the profile menu and select the App settings option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Turn on the App updates toggle switch.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

After you complete the steps, apps and future revisions of the new Microsoft Store app should install automatically.

If it's the case that a new feature comes out for the Store, and you do not see it, then repeat the steps mentioned earlier. Also, you can check the version on the "Apps settings" page to make sure the latest version is installed.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

15 Comments
  • Unfortunately, these exact steps didn’t update it for me. There is no “confusion” on this windows insider’s part. It simply isn’t working, which is why I commented about it in a separate Windows Central post, hoping others had a solution. Hopefully in the future it will update itself though to the new App Store. As that’s one of the things I’m most looking forward to!
  • Have you tried doing a app reset from the settings app.
  • Check if you are still part of insider dev channel. I reset my surface after updating to windows 11. I got pushed out of insider dev channel because of that. Didn't even realize that. As soon as i joined the dev channel and looked for updates in the store, the new store update showed up immediately. Before this i probably tried a thousand times to update the store.
  • Whelp, thank you, Sumanth! It's been figured out! Turns out when you clean install windows 11, it turns off Windows Insider. This is why you don't get the newly updated apps for Windows 11. Turning Insider back on fixes that.
  • The article is basically saying to click the update button, don't you think the majority have tried?
  • I'll try this and see if it helps. What I'm sure about is reseting the Store app does not work.
  • Update: issue remains after tryin the above steps.
  • Whelp, thanks to a commenter above! It's been figured out! Turns out when you clean install windows 11, it turns off Windows Insider. This is why you don't get the newly updated apps for Windows 11. Turning Insider back on fixes that. Try that. :)
  • I installed it in a VM and didn't get the new Windows Store. Rejoining Insider was it!
  • If I remember correctly, it took two updates for me. The first run through it did not see the store update.
  • In this post: people who don't update their apps
  • Just installed the store on windows 10. Seems faster
  • Whelp, thanks to a reply to my comment, it's been figured out! Turns out when you clean install windows 11, it turns off Windows Insider. This is why you don't get the newly updated apps for Windows 11. Turning Insider back on fixes that. Try that. :)
  • Still on insider dev, and no store update for me
  • I had the new Store Preview as soon as I upgraded from Windows 10 21390 to Windows 11 22000, no problems occurred here, Windows 11 runs great on my daily driver, excited to see what the next Dev build will bring next in the coming weeks!