Fix: 0x80073cfa Error When Uninstalling Apps on Windows [Guide]

I had been dealing with an annoying problem on my Windows machine for weeks. Every time I tried to uninstall an app, I was met with the frustrating error code 0x80073cfa. It was a real nuisance because I needed to free up some space and remove old applications that I no longer used. I decided it was time to tackle this issue head-on and find a solution.

The first step in addressing the error was understanding what it actually meant. I discovered that the 0x80073cfa error often occurs due to issues with the Windows Store or related components. It could also be a sign of problems with the app’s registry entries or corruption in system files. My goal was to find a way to resolve the issue so that I could continue managing my apps effectively.

My initial approach was to restart my computer, hoping that a simple reboot might clear up any temporary glitches causing the problem. However, after restarting, the error persisted. I needed a more robust solution.

The next logical step was to check for Windows updates. Sometimes, system errors are caused by outdated software or missing updates. I went to the Settings app, navigated to Update & Security, and then selected Windows Update. I clicked on ‘Check for updates’ and waited for the system to search for and install any available updates. Unfortunately, even after applying the latest updates, the error 0x80073cfa remained unresolved.

Determined to fix the issue, I turned to the Windows Troubleshooter. This built-in tool is designed to diagnose and fix common problems automatically. I accessed the troubleshooter by going to Settings, then Update & Security, followed by Troubleshoot. I ran the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, as this seemed the most relevant to my issue. The troubleshooter scanned my system and attempted to resolve any problems, but once again, the error was still there.

Realizing that this approach wasn’t working, I decided to dive deeper into the Windows Store. I searched for information on how to reset or re-register the Windows Store, as corruption in its files might be causing the problem. I followed these steps:

1. I opened Command Prompt with administrative privileges. To do this, I searched for ‘cmd’ in the Start menu, right-clicked on Command Prompt, and selected ‘Run as administrator.’
2. In the Command Prompt window, I typed the command wsreset.exe and pressed Enter. This command resets the Windows Store cache and might resolve issues related to it.

After running the command, the Windows Store reopened automatically, but the error was still preventing me from uninstalling apps. I needed to try another method.

Next, I decided to check for corrupted system files. The System File Checker (SFC) is a tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. I executed the following steps:

1. I opened Command Prompt as an administrator once more.
2. I typed sfc /scannow and hit Enter. This command initiated the scan and repair process. The scan took a while, but it eventually completed, identifying and fixing some issues.

Even with the SFC scan completed, I found that the error persisted. My next step was to use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to repair the Windows image. This tool can fix issues that the SFC tool cannot address. Here’s what I did:

1. I opened Command Prompt as an administrator again.
2. I typed DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and pressed Enter. This command started the repair process. It took some time, but once it was done, I rebooted my computer.

After the DISM command, I was hopeful that the error would finally be resolved. I tried uninstalling an app again, but to my dismay, the error 0x80073cfa was still there.

Feeling frustrated but not defeated, I decided to check the Windows registry for any potential issues. I used the Registry Editor, which is a tool that allows you to view and edit the system registry. Here’s how I proceeded:

1. I opened the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu search bar and pressing Enter.
2. I navigated to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall.
3. I looked for any entries related to the apps I was trying to uninstall and deleted them if I found any corrupted or problematic entries.

After cleaning up the registry entries, I restarted my computer and tried uninstalling an app again. Finally, the 0x80073cfa error was gone, and I was able to remove the app without any issues.

In conclusion, resolving the 0x80073cfa error required a combination of restarting the computer, updating Windows, running troubleshooters, resetting the Windows Store, checking for corrupted system files, and editing the registry. Each step helped in addressing different aspects of the problem, ultimately leading to a successful resolution.