How to fix the Windows Store’s “current internet connection is slow” error

After successfully installing the new TripAdvisor Windows 8.1 app on my desktop, I tried installing it on my laptop, but was met with this error message:

Your purchase couldn’t be completed

This app can’t be purchased because your current internet connection is slow. Please try again using a different connection.

Surprise: your internet connection isn’t the issue here.

Switching to a different internet connection didn’t work. Fortunately, Googling the problem turned up this thread with a few fixes that only worked for me after I applied them in a certain order, which is what this post is about.

Here’s how to fix the problem:

1. Ensure the PC is not connected directly to the internet, i.e. is on a LAN and behind a NAT/SPI firewall.
2. Reboot the PC.
3. Upon rebooting, disable your antivirus software (Avast 2014 in my case).
4. Press Windows key + R.
5. In the window that pops up, enter “wsreset.exe” without the quotes.
6. Click OK or hit Enter. The Windows Store loading screen will appear as below. Be patient as it may take up to 15 minutes to load completely.* Wait for it to complete and your problem should be resolved.
7. Install the app you wanted.
8. Re-enable your antivirus software.

I have a dream that one day Windows NUI will the resurrect progress indicator.

In my experience, most Windows Store bugs are due to interfering security software. I’m not sure if this is due to the NUI/RT not being designed with such software in mind, or just bad testing/development on the part of security software dev shops.