Fix: Windows 8 Store/Metro Apps Show a Splash Screen but Do Not Launch (Historical)

Historical support note: This guide is specific to Windows 8 Store apps. Windows 8/8.1 and their original Store experience are no longer supported.

If a Windows 8 app shows only its splash screen and then closes or hangs, do not assume the storage/AHCI driver is the cause. Start with the prerequisites and app environment that Windows 8 Store apps actually depended on.

1. Check Windows 8 app prerequisites

On Windows 8-era systems:

User Account Control (UAC) must be enabled for Store apps to run normally.
The display resolution must be at least 1024 × 768 for Windows 8 Store apps.
Check the date, time, and time zone.
Confirm the PC has working network access when the app requires online services.

2. Clear the Store cache

Press Windows key + R, type:

wsreset.exe

and press Enter. After the Store cache resets, restart the PC and test the app again.

3. Install available Windows/app updates for the historical system

When Windows 8 was in support, Store-app fixes were frequently delivered through Windows Update and Store updates. Today, update availability is limited by the retired platform, so a failure may no longer have a supported remediation path.

4. Check Windows system files

Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:

sfc /scannow

If servicing corruption is suspected, Windows 8 also supports DISM image-health operations.

5. Check policy on managed PCs

Microsoft documents a Windows 8 scenario where Store apps fail because AppLocker policy blocks packaged apps. If the PC is managed by an organization, the administrator should review application-control policy instead of weakening local security settings.

The old downloadable Windows 8 Apps troubleshooter referenced by the original article is no longer presented as a current tool.