Summary
- Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile five years ago.
- While the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile remained accessible for years, user reports confirm that the Windows 10 Mobile app store has finally shut down.
- According to some users, when they try to launch the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile, they either see a completely gray screen or encounter an error message.
As we step into 2025, Windows 10 Mobile devices are fading into obscurity. Microsoft officially ceased support for this operating system five years ago, a move that mirrored the end of an era for Windows 7. With the withdrawal of security updates, bug fixes, and technical assistance, the platform has gradually become a relic of the past.
Despite this, Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint continued to receive updates and security patches until 2021. However, the Microsoft Store, once a lifeline for users, has now succumbed to the inevitable, with reports confirming its closure.
That Was a Good Run, Windows 10 Mobile
Community forums, particularly on platforms like Reddit, have been abuzz with user experiences regarding the Microsoft Store’s demise. Many users, including a notable post from @maingamer3782 on the r/windowsphone subreddit, have reported attempts to access the store only to be met with a stark gray screen or an error message stating: “A read or write of raw encrypted data cannot be performed because the file is not encrypted. The resource is no longer available.”
Interestingly, while the majority of users find themselves locked out of the store, a select few still manage to glimpse the Home page, albeit with limitations. Some can view the page but are unable to install apps, facing a blank white screen instead. Others report the ability to install apps from the Home screen but find themselves unable to access the Purchased section, creating a patchwork of experiences among the dwindling user base.
This situation is hardly surprising. By the time Windows 11 made its debut, the majority of essential applications had already become incompatible with Windows 10 Mobile. Developers had largely abandoned the platform, leaving users with a sparse selection of outdated or non-functional apps. Now, even the few remaining applications seem to have officially lost their home. For the dedicated Windows 10 Mobile enthusiasts still holding onto their devices, the only recourse for installing new apps is through sideloading, a method that may prove challenging for the less tech-savvy.