ErrorBase
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  • Software and digital services
  • Operating system

0x80073CFB

Windows 0x80073CFB on operating system: package conflict

Verified with sources6 sourcesReviewed Oct 18, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you

Risk level

Low

Usually safe to check without specialist tools.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

Error 0x80073CFB (ERROR_PACKAGE_ALREADY_EXISTS) on Windows indicates that the app package is already installed and reinstallation is blocked, either because an identical package is registered or a rebuilt or re-signed package is no longer bitwise identical.

Safety first

Safe checks you can perform

  • Identify the conflicting package in AppxDeployment-Server or Get-AppxLog
  • Uninstall the existing package for the current user before reinstalling
  • Remove the old package for every user or increment the package version number

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: System-wide package removal by the system administrator or IT support
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Escalation to Microsoft Support or the package developer

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. System-wide package removal by the system administrator or IT support

    What they doHave a system administrator remove the old package for every user on the system before installing the new package.

    They must show youThe 0x80073CFB (ERROR_PACKAGE_ALREADY_EXISTS) event in Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > AppxDeployment-Server..

    In writingConflicting package name removed across user accounts and confirmation of successful reinstallation..

  2. Escalation to Microsoft Support or the package developer

    What they doContact Microsoft Support if a Microsoft Store app continues to fail with 0x80073CFB, or request a rebuilt and re-signed package with an incremented version number from the developer.

    They must show youThe Get-AppxLog output and the AppxDeployment-Server event log showing 0x80073CFB..

    In writingInstalled package version versus incoming package version and the support case reference..

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Identify the conflicting package in AppxDeployment-Server or Get-AppxLog

    No special tools

    Who:
    user
    How:
    Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) and check Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > AppxDeployment-Server, or run Get-AppxLog | Out-GridView in PowerShell to see the exact package name behind 0x80073CFB.
    Result that matters:
    The deployment log identifies the registered package name and confirms ERROR_PACKAGE_ALREADY_EXISTS.
    If Once you know the conflicting package name, proceed to uninstall the existing package first.
    If If the package does not appear under your current user, check whether another user on the PC has it installed.
    Evidence to keep:
    Event entry for 0x80073CFB in Microsoft-Windows-AppXDeploymentServer/Operational or Get-AppxLog output.

    Evidence: MSIX deployment troubleshooting - MSIX | Microsoft Learn · Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

  2. Uninstall the existing package for the current user before reinstalling

    No special tools

    Who:
    user
    How:
    Uninstall the existing app in Windows or run Get-AppxPackage <PackageName> | Remove-AppxPackage in PowerShell, then reinstall the app from Library in Microsoft Store.
    Result that matters:
    The existing package registration for your user account is removed before the new installation starts.
    If If the package installs without error 0x80073CFB after removing the existing copy, the conflict is resolved.
    If If 0x80073CFB still appears, check for registrations across other user accounts on the system.
    Evidence to keep:
    Completion of Remove-AppxPackage and clean reinstallation from Microsoft Store Library.

    Evidence: Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store · MSIX deployment troubleshooting - MSIX | Microsoft Learn

  3. Remove the old package for every user or increment the package version number

    No special tools

    Who:
    user
    How:
    Remove the old package for every user on the system before installing the new package, or if you are deploying a rebuilt or re-signed package, increment the version number of the app and then rebuild and re-sign the package.
    Result that matters:
    All prior user registrations are cleared or the package carries a higher version number than the installed copy.
    If If removing the package across all users or incrementing the version allows deployment, no further action is needed.
    If If the issue persists with a Store download, contact your system administrator or Microsoft Support.
    Evidence to keep:
    Package version number in AppxManifest.xml and removal confirmation across system user accounts.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Software and digital services
Brand
Microsoft Windows
Product type
Operating system

Known code variants

  • 0x80073cfb Windows
  • error 0x80073CFB Microsoft Store
  • ERROR_PACKAGE_ALREADY_EXISTS
  • Microsoft Store error 0x80073CFB
  • package already exists 0x80073CFB
  • paquete ya existe 0x80073CFB

What it means

When Windows reports error code 0x80073CFB (ERROR_PACKAGE_ALREADY_EXISTS), the deployment engine blocks package installation because the provided package is already registered on the system. According to official Microsoft Learn documentation, this happens when an identical package is already registered for the current user, when an older copy remains installed for another user on the system, or when installing a rebuilt or re-signed package that is no longer bitwise identical to the already installed version (since the digital signature is part of the package). A single error code never proves that hardware has failed or that a license is invalid.

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Identical package already registered for the current userCommon

    An existing registration of the same app package is already present for the user account and blocks reinstallation until the existing package is uninstalled first.

    Evidence: MSIX deployment troubleshooting - MSIX | Microsoft Learn

  • Rebuilt or re-signed package is not bitwise identical to the installed packagePossible

    Because the digital signature is part of the package, rebuilding or re-signing a package without incrementing its version number makes it no longer bitwise identical to the installed copy and blocks reinstallation.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

  • Old package still installed for another user account on the systemPossible

    Another user profile on the same computer still has the old package installed, preventing the new package from being registered until the old package is removed for every user on the system.

    Evidence: Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

Virtual technician

Does 0x80073CFB still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  2. 2

    Solucionar problemas relacionados con las aplicaciones de Microsoft Store

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  3. 3

    MSIX deployment troubleshooting - MSIX | Microsoft Learn

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  4. 4

    Solución de problemas de implementación de MSIX - MSIX | Microsoft Learn

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  5. 5

    Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  6. 6

    Solución de problemas de empaquetado, implementación y consulta de aplicaciones de Windows - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

Sources: Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store · Solucionar problemas relacionados con las aplicaciones de Microsoft Store · MSIX deployment troubleshooting - MSIX | Microsoft Learn · Solución de problemas de implementación de MSIX - MSIX | Microsoft Learn · Troubleshooting packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn · Solución de problemas de empaquetado, implementación y consulta de aplicaciones de Windows - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learnreviewed 2026-10-18 · verified

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