How to resolve the Error 0x8E5E0408 in Windows Store

As you know Windows 10 comes with several universal apps pre-installed and these from time to time will automatically update via the Microsoft Windows Store, as will any other app you have chosen to download from the Store yourself.

Unfortunately, for some users no matter how many times they try, they seem to be downloading and installing an app, or updating one, only to see it stop at the last moment with the cryptic error 0x8E5E0408.

It would be helpful if they atleast gave a link to an explanation as to what this error code actually means, but for now they do not so the User is left to guess what to do to resolve the issue.

Essentially, what this error is telling you is that Microsoft does not recognize you signed in with a Microsoft Account and can only see a Local Account in lieu of this. It is this that triggers the error message because you need to be signed in and verified for updates or downloading to work correctly for your User Profile.

There is a relatively simple way to resolve this however, and with a little finger work at the keyboard and mouse, you can soon get things working as normal again and enjoy the full benefit of all your Apps working with their latest updates - for example Microsoft Photos app has some new features added recently which greatly improved this app in my personal opinion.

Below is a set of instructions on how to resolve this error:

Step 1 — Create a temporary User account via elevated command prompt

• Right-click on Start
• Left-click on Command Prompt (Admin)
• When the User Account Control opens, click Yes
  
  You will now see the Administrator: Command Prompt console

• In the console type or copy & paste the following command:
  
  
  Code:

  net user TempUserAccount password12345 /add

  
  Press Enter key to execute the above command.
  
  Next type or copy & paste the following command:
  
  
  Code:

  net localgroup Administrators TempUserAccount /add

  
  Press Enter key to execute command
  
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  The above commands have created a temporary User Account named TempUserAccount.
  
  We've given this account a password to sign in with: password12345
  
  We've added the Local Account account to the Administrators group which will allow it some limited privileges not available to a Standard account.
  
  In reality you can name your temporary account anything you want to, and don't worry about that weak password - remember this is only a temporary account and we won't be using it after we fix the error - in fact we'll be removing it once that is done. If it does bother you you can make the password anything you wish too of course.
  
  You can close your Administrator: Command Prompt console now, either by clicking the X in top right corner, or typing Exit then pressing Enter key.

Step 2 — Change from Microsoft Sign in to Local Account

• Note: Make sure you are logged in with User Account that is receiving the error message from Windows Store
• Right-click on Start
• Left-click on Run
• In the Run dialog type
  Code:

  ms-settings:yourinfo

  then click OK
• In the window that opens click Sign in with local account instead
  
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  You will now see a new window pop up. Here you need to enter your Microsoft Account password (not a pin, your actual password - if you cannot remember this then click the Cancel button now). After entering the password click the Next button.
  
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  Next you will see a new window with your Username in top field. You now need to enter a new password, repeat it, then if you wish type a clue to remember it.
  
  Make it a simple password, as we will be changing it back later to the original one, but for now we don't want to forget the new one do we.
  
  When you have filled all the fields, click Next
  
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  This brings us to the final window, confirming you are almost done. All you need to do here is click the Sign out and finish button.
  
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Step 3 — Log in with Temp Account and set up Microsoft sign in

• You will currently be at the Lock Screen. Click to reveal sign in page.
• Select your temporary user account: TempUserAccount
• Enter the password you set up for this: password12345 then press Enter key to sign in.
• You'll be greeted with a few messages from Microsoft as your new TempUserAccount is set up. This takes about 2 minutes.
  • Hi
  • We're happy you are here.
  • Getting things ready, please don't turn off your PC
  • Let's start
• Once you are logged in to Desktop give the system a moment to finish setting up - about 1 minute tops. Then right-click on Start
• Left-click on Run
• In the Run dialog type
  Code:

  ms-settings:yourinfo

  then click OK
• Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead
  
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  You now need to enter your Microsoft Account email address. This is the original address you were using for your usual sign in name. Next enter the password for that account (the original one, not the temporary ones you have been creating). When done click Next
  
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  Next Microsoft needs to confirm this is really TempUserAccount. Thus you must enter TempUserAccount's password. For example, password12345
  
  When done click Next
  
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  Next if you wish you could set up a pin. There is no need for this though so for now simply click Skip this step
  
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Step 4 — Open Store and get downloading an app or more

• OK so you're now back at the Desktop and on the Taskbar you can now click the Store icon to open Windows Store
  
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  At this point search for an App you were getting that error 0x8E5E0408 and choose to download it.
  
  It ought to download fine and if it does and you wish to you could download a few more too.
  
  Assuming the initial one downloaded fine, its time to close the Store and move on with the repair work.

Step 5 — Reverse the changes to accounts, passwords, etcetera

• Note: Reversing all your changes at this point is optional. I prefer to reverse changes to minimize confusion and forgetting original passwords etcetera, given to get this far we've had to swap and switch settings. If you are happy as things are you can simply sign out and log in with your usual account which now ought to back to normal with the Store app downloading and updating working properly. Just remember you changed your password.
  
  If you prefer like me to reverse things back to the way they were before all this, then do the following.

• Right-click on Start
• Left-click on Run
• In the Run dialog type
  Code:

  ms-settings:yourinfo

• Click Sign in with a local account instead
• You'll see your TempUserAccount has taken on your usual logon name. For the password field, enter the password you would normally sign in with.
  
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  On clicking Next you'll see a new window that displays your TempUserAccount name.
  
  In the Password fields enter your temporary password you set up in Step 1 then if you want to enter a password hint. When read click Next
  
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  You'll now return to the Settings window where your usual sign in Username is present. On this window click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead
  
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  You now need to fill two fields. The first field should contain the Microsoft Account email address you normally use.
  
  The second field will contain the Microsoft Account email password you normally use.
  
  When both fields are correctly filled in click Sign in
  
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  Just as earlier, Microsoft needs to check its really you.
  
  You need to enter the password you created for your Local Account.
  
  When done click Next
  
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  A new window pops open. Click Next
  
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  We're back at the Settings window.
  
  In the left panel click Sign-in options
  
  Now in the right panel click the Change button beneath Change your account password
  
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  For security reasons Microsoft will request to email you a code.
  
  In the window the top field contains most of your Microsoft Account email address. In the second field simply fill in the complete address then click Next
  
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  Go check your email for the code, then enter or copy & paste that code into the next window.
  
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  Now in the next window, enter the Password you created for Local Account in the first field.
  
  For the next two fields enter the password you normally use to sign in with.
  
  When done click Next
  
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Step 6 — Remove TempUserAccount

• Note: This is optional. If you want you could keep this additional account. Just remember though it has a weak password, so if you really want to keep it perhaps give it a stronger password now.
  
  If you would prefer to delete it and remove it then do the following.

• First either Sign out by left-clicking Start > Account icon > Sign out
• Click the lock screen
• Select your regular sign-in Username, enter your password, press Enter key
• Once logged in to Desktop right-click on Start
• Left-click on Command Prompt (Admin)
• When the User Account Control opens click Yes
• In the Administrator: Command Prompt console that opens type or copy & paste the following command:
  
  
  Code:

  net user

  
  Press Enter key to execute command
  
  You'll see a list of Usernames. To delete the Temporary one you created for this fix, type or copy & paste the following command:
  
  
  Code:

  net user "TempUserAccount" /delete

  
  Press Enter key to execute command.
  
  Notes:
  
  Where I typed TempUserAccount enter the actual temporary username you created.
  
  If you happened to create this temporary account on a domain then enter the following command instead to delete it:
  
  
  Code:

  net user "TempUserAccount" /delete /domain

  
  Press Enter key to execute command.
  
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  At this point you can either type Exit then press Enter key to close the Administrator: Command Prompt window, or just click the X in top right corner of window.

The Final Tidy Up

• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to C:\Users
  
  Note: If your Windows is installed on a different drive or partition, then replace C: with the correct drive letter.

• Right-click on the folder with your temporary username, for example, TempUserAccount and select Properties
  
  This will open the TempUserAccount Properties window. In this window click the Security tab.
  
  On the Security tab click the Advanced button
  
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• After clicking the Advanced button you will see the Advanced Security Settings for TempUserAccount window appear.
  
  At the top of this window the Owner is System.
  
  To change this click Change to the right of current owner.
  
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• This will open the Select User or Group window.
  
  In this window is an empty text field. In this field type your normal logon username, then click the Check Names button. This will cause what you typed to change to your Username underscored.
  
  When that appears click OK
  
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• This will return you to the Advanced Security Settings for TempUserAccount window.
  
  You'll notice beneath Owner is an empty box next to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
  
  Check this box then click OK
  
  A Windows Security will pop up. Click Yes
  
  This will return you to the TempUserAccount Properties window.
  
  In this window click OK
  
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• You now own the folder and have full control over it.
• Right-click on the TempUserAccount folder inside C:\Users and select Delete
• A window will pop up wanting you to confirm whether to send folder to Recycle bin. Click Yes
• A second window will appear asking you to confirm you wish to permanently delete folder. Again click Yes
• You now see a window with a progress bar showing you it is deleting and how long it will take. It may delete quickly, or take a few minutes, depending on your computer, and what things you downloaded from the Store into your temp account earlier.
  
  Note: If the progress bar hangs at some point, simply click the X to cancel, then open File Explorer and return to C:\Users, right-click on the folder again and select delete, and if an access denied alert appears click Continue and in a few seconds any remaining files will be gone along with the folder.

That's it — all done!