Microsoft has acknowledged issues with updating and uninstalling apps on Windows 10, with details published on the company’s support site. The trouble traces to the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package, released on November 12, 2024, which can cause failures when the Microsoft Store attempts to update apps that depend on this component. IT admins who manage packaged apps via PowerShell report seeing the HRESULT 0x80073CFA error during update operations. The problem affects all types of applications, including enterprise software such as Microsoft Teams, and is limited to Windows 10 version 22H2. Users running newer Windows builds do not appear to be impacted. Microsoft notes that the issue does not apply to Windows 11 devices or earlier Windows 10 service branches. The scope is confined to devices that still run the 22H2 release and rely on the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package for certain installed applications.
Microsoft subsequently updated the Windows Health Dashboard with guidance. The recommended remedy is to install the latest cumulative update, KB5046714, for Windows 10 version 22H2. Once this update is applied, the Windows Store should resume normal update behavior for affected apps, and the HRESULT 0x80073CFA errors should be mitigated. The patch addresses the underlying compatibility mismatch introduced by WinAppSDK 1.6.2 and aligns affected devices with the supported app deployment workflow.
Companies in Canada and the United States may want to coordinate with IT teams to verify device inventories, ensure all devices on 22H2 install KB5046714, and then reattempt app updates across the fleet. Administrators using management tools like Microsoft Intune or PowerShell can first check the WinAppSDK version in use and confirm the rollout of the latest Windows updates. If updates still fail after applying KB5046714, a best practice is to validate that dependent apps have compatible versions that work with WinAppSDK 1.6.2, and consider staged deployments to minimize disruption. On devices where updates are critical for security or productivity, administrators should prioritize remediation and communicate expected timelines to end users.
In a related note, Microsoft previously faced attention over marketing claims related to Windows 11, but the current focus remains squarely on stabilizing Windows 10 updates and ensuring enterprise apps can be installed and managed smoothly. This situation underscores how rapidly evolving platform components can create verifiable compatibility gaps that require targeted patches and clear guidance for IT teams in North America.