After we’ve investigated this particular issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are a lot of underlying causes that might be triggering this particular issue when attempting to install Forza Horizon 5 on Windows 11. Here’s a list of potential scenarios that will trigger this issue: Now that you have a good idea of all the potential causes that might prevent you from installing Forza 5 on your Windows 11 computer follow the method below for specific instructions on treating every probable root cause of this issue.
1. Install the game from Store’s library
Suppose you’re experiencing this issue while attempting to download the game from the dedicated listing or when attempting to download it from the Xbox App. In that case, you might be able to avoid the problem entirely by changing the approach. Some Windows 11 users have confirmed that the same download issue no longer occurs if they go to their Microsoft Store library and attempt to download the game from there. Note: Be careful when downloading the game from your library; download the base game first and wait for it to install fully before downloading any of the expansions or the VIP bundle. Follow the instructions below for step-by-step instructions on installing the game from My Library (in Microsoft Store): If attempting to install the game from the Library menu results in the same kind of error, move down to the next method below.
2. Re-Sign in with Microsoft Account
To ensure that you’re not dealing with a Microsoft account-related issue, you should also take the time to sign out from your current Microsoft account (inside the Microsoft Store) before signing back in. Several affected users have confirmed that once they’ve temporarily logged out of their MS account and logged back in, they were able to download Forza Horizon 5 without any issues. Follow the instructions below for specific instructions of re-signing in with your Microsoft Account: If the Forza 5 download still gets stuck at ‘Preparing 0%’, move down to the next potential fix below.
3. Install the base game without expansions first (if applicable)
If you end up seeing the “Preparing 0%’ startup indefinitely when attempting to install Forza Horizon 5, make sure that you’re installing the base game first and not any of the available expansions or DLCs. The best way to ensure that you do this right is to initiate the download from the My library menu of the Microsoft Store. When you see the list of all the items belonging to Forza 5 Horizon, ensure that you install the base game first (Forza 5 Horizon). Suppose you manage to install the base game without experiencing the same kind of issue. In that case, you can begin installing every DLC and expansion (one by one) until you manage to install every available add-on. If this method was not much help in your case, move down to the next potential fix below.
4. Set the correct date and time (if applicable)
As it turns out, an unlikely culprit but one that can most definitely impact your Forza 5 Horizon download is an incorrect date & time. As with every download handled by the Windows Store & Windows update components, there’s a background check before the download starts that looks at the date & time of the PC you’re using. If the date & time is way off relative to the expected values according to your time zone, the server might decide to disallow the connection out of security concerns. Look in the bottom-left corner of the screen and check if the date & time is correct. If you find that the date & time is off, follow the instructions below for step by step instructions to ensure that you’re using the correct values: If you ensure that the clock & date is fully synchronized with your timezone and you’re still unable to install Forza Horizon 5, move down to the following method below.
5. Reset the Windows Store Cache
Another potential culprit that might be responsible for preventing you from downloading the game is corrupted data currently residing inside the Windows Store cache. This type of issue is typically reported if there’s been an unexpected system interruption while the game was installed in the first place. If you’re currently unable to install Forza Horizon 5 and this scenario seems applicable, you should start with a Windows Store cache reset. To do this, press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘wsreset.exe’ and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to effectively reset the Windows Store cache. Note: If the User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to grant admin access. Once the operation is complete, attempt to download Forza Horizon 5 (either from the Xbox App or the Microsoft Store) and see if the problem is now fixed. If you’re still seeing the download gets stuck at “Preparing 0%’, follow the instructions below to manually clear the cache folder: If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
6. Install every pending Windows update
As it turns out, another viable reason why you might experience this issue is a scenario in which your Windows 11 installation is missing a key Windows 11 security update that Windows Store needs to install GamePass items. If you have pending updates that you keep postponing, taking the time to install each one of them should allow you to install Forza 5 on your Windows 11 computer. Follow the instructions below for the complete guide on installing every pending Windows 11 to ensure that the Windows Store component has everything it needs to complete the installation of Forza 5: If this method was not applicable or you installed every pending update and you still can’t install the game, move down to the next method below.
7. Reset the MS Store & Xbox App
Because both the Microsoft Store and the Xbox App are still in preview mode on Windows 11 and improvements are being deployed daily, you should also consider that an installation inconsistency is the root cause of this installation issue. Several Windows 11 users who are also unable to install Forza 5 have confirmed that they can fix the issue by resetting both the Microsoft Store and the Xbox app from the Installed Apps menu. Follow the instructions below for step-by-step instructions on doing so: If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
8. Restart Windows Update, Microsoft Store Install, and Background Intelligence services
Keep in mind that the Windows Stor component is not isolated, in the sense that the download component needs to coordinate with a lot of service dependencies that need to be enabled. Several users that we’re encountering this issue when downloading Forza 5 have reported that in their case, the problem resulted from the fact that one of the following services we’re disabled:
Windows UpdateMicrosoft Store InstallBackground Intelligent Transfer Service
Before disregarding this potential culprit, take the time to check your Services screen and see if any of the services mentioned above are disabled. Note: There are several systems optimizing software tools that might temporarily disable some of these services in order to conserve system resources. Here’s what you need to do that these services remain enabled: If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
9. Enable every TLS version
Keep in mind that the new store component on Windows 11 is dependent on almost every recent version of TLS (Transport Layer Security). So one potential reason why you might see this type of issue occurring is a situation where certain TLS versions are disabled from the Internet Options screen. Note: Keep in mind that TLS preferences will care over with a Windows Upgrade. If you have previously modified the TLS preferences, you can expect your custom settings to make their way to the new Windows 11. If you suspect that the issue you’re having when installing Forza Horizon 5 is related to a TLS issue, follow the instructions below to use the Internet Options screen to make sure that every TLS version is enabled. Here’s what you need to do: If the download gets stuck with the same ‘Preparing 0%’ even after you’ve ensured that every TLS component is enabled, move to the next method below.
10. Reinstall the Store component
If you’ve come this far without a working method, you should begin to contemplate a potential corruption issue related to the Store component. This is especially common when upgrading to Windows 11 from an older version. If you’re having similar issues when attempting to download other games and applications (besides Forza 5) via the Microsoft Store, you should take the time and reinstall the entire store component. You won’t be able to do this conventionally since Microsoft Store is an integrated part of your OS. But it is durable via a series of Powershell commands that will temporarily scrape before reinstalling the Store component. Note: This procedure is different than simply resetting the app from the Advanced Options menu. Follow the instructions below to reinstall a corrupted Windows Store installation: If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
11. Deploy DISM and SFC scans
Even if you previously determined that the Microsoft Store component is not to blame for this issue, that doesn’t mean you’re not dealing with some type of system file corruption. Another possible reason you might expect to deal with this issue is some kind of corrupted Windows-native dependency that Microsoft Store cannot use. Since there are a lot of possible culprits that might be the underlying cause of this problem, our recommendation is to run 2 built-in repair utilities – SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). I’d start with a simple SFC scan ran from an elevated CMD prompt. Note: This utility will not require you to be connected to the Internet. Every corrupted system file element that gets found will be replaced with a healthy equivalent stored in a local folder. Once the SFC scan is complete, reboot your PC and deploy a DISM scan the next time your PC boots up. Note: Before running this scan, ensure that you have a stable connection to the Internet. This is required because DISM uses a sub-component of Windows Update to download healthy files that will be used to replace corrupted equivalents. Once you run both of these scans and restart your PC, attempt to download the game again and see if the installation still gets stuck. If the same kind of issue is still persisting, move down to the next method below.
12. Disable Windows Firewall while installing (if applicable)
It would be best if you didn’t rule out a potential firewall interference from your list of possible culprits that are preventing you from installing Forza Horizon 5 via the Microsoft Store or Xbox App. Note: This scenario is only applicable if you’re dealing with this issue across all the apps and games you attempt to install using the Microsoft Store component. According to some affected users, this problem can even be caused by the built-in Windows Firewall. Note: In case you’re using a third-party firewall, there is no definitive guide that will show you how to disable it temporarily. Search online for specific instructions and disable the active shields before restarting your PC and attempting to download the game once again. On the other hand, if you’re using the built-in Windows Firewall, follow the instructions below to temporarily disable it before attempting to install Forza 5 Horizon once again: If you’re still dealing with the same error when trying to install Forza 5 on Windows 11 and the instructions above didn’t help, move down to the final potential fix below.
13. Perform a repair install / clean install
Suppose none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case. In that case, you can conclude that you’re dealing with a corrupted Windows 11 installation that cannot be resolved conventionally. You always have the option to clean install, but keep in mind that this option will erode any personal data, games, applications, and documents currently stored on the OS drive (unless you back up the data in advance). A better solution (if you’re aiming to save as much personal data as possible) is to go for a repair install (in-place repair) procedure instead. Note: Repair installing will allow you to keep all your currently installed games, applications, documents, and other types of personal media.
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