Windows 8 is a new operating system from Microsoft that was released in October 2012. It is the successor to Windows 7 and features a new user interface, called the “Metro” interface. One of the new features of Windows 8 is the “Windows Store.” The Windows Store is a store where you can buy and download apps, games, and other software. The Windows Store can be disabled in Windows 8 by following these steps:

  1. Open the Start screen by pressing the keyboard shortcut Win+X.
  2. Click on the “Settings” icon in the bottom left corner of the Start screen.
  3. In the Settings window, click on “Control Panel.”
  4. In Control Panel, click on “Programs.”
  5. In Programs, click on “Windows Store.”
  6. Under “Windows Store,” click on “Disable.” ..

The Windows Store is a great addition to Windows 8, but in true How-To Geek fashion we are here to show you how to disable it. There are a number of reasons you might want to do this, most notably if you are testing Windows 8 in a corporate environment.

Please note that we’re not recommending that you do this.

Disabling the Windows Store

Press the Windows + R key combination to bring up a run box, type gpedit.msc and hit enter.

Now you will need to drill down into:

Once you expand Windows Components you need to select the settings for the “Store”.

On the right hand side you will see a setting that allows you to turn off the Windows Store, double click on it.

Now switch the radio button from “Not Configured” to “Enabled”,  then click on the OK button.

Now you will need to enforce the updated policy to take effect on your PC, to do this press the Windows + R key combination, when the run box open run:

Once you press enter you Local Group Policy will be automatically updated, now if you try launch the Windows Store you will notice it is disabled.