App Store only showing updates tab

We tried that with two of the apple techs and it did nothing to resolve the problem. All still looked the same as before. Below is the only way it shows currently. You can see the categories on the left side are missing except the update listing.

Issues in updates in App Store :

Enter in system library ( click on finder > Go > computer > Macintosh HD > Library > updates > delete the contents .

If App Store is corrupted : go to user library > preferences > right click on com.apple.appstore.plist and move to trash . Restart & empty the trash .

Enter in recovery mode > click on disk utility > click on first aid .

Also try to create a new user test account see this article and observe the activity of app store in it see this article How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support

In the first user account - open system preferences , click on iCloud all boxes must be checked , click on iCloud Drive options , all boxes in the window must be checked .

See this manual method to set up new test user account .

But you must have iCloud verification code in your records , if you don't remember the code generate a new one .

new user test account

HOW TO SET UP A NEW TEST USER ACCOUNT

Create a new user account in users and groups by clicking on plus sign , name an account and enter its password .

Take cursor on apple logo and log out from your old user account and then enter the credentials name and password on the screen of your new user account .

( a )The window is showing data and privacy , click on continue and sign in with your Apple ID ( fill up the credentials ) and click on continue .

( b ) Again enter your Apple ID and password and click on continue .

( c ) A prompt will appear on the screen use two factor authentication ( its optional you can uncheck the box and click on continue ) .

( d ) A pop up window will appear do not upgrade Apple ID security and upgrade iCloud security , so click on do not upgrade .

( e ) A small circle will be rotating , setting up account will be shown , wait for a while and options will be shown would you like to set up iCloud Keychain ( 1 ) set up iCloud Keychain ( 2 ) set up later , you can click on set up later and click on continue .

( f ) A window will appear showing enable ask Siri , keep the box checked and click on continue .

( g ) Another window will appear all your files in iCloud stores files from documents and desktop in iCloud Drive , so check the box of it and click on continue .It will show setting up your Mac , three right check marks will be shown .

( h ) Open system preferences and click on accessibility > trackpad options , check the boxes of scrolling with inertia and enable dragging with three finger drag and click on ok ( as drag and drop feature always help a user in every way ) .

( I ) Again in the system preferences > click on I cloud you will see the box of keychain is unchecked , so check the box of it after a while a prompt will appear enter you Apple ID password to set up iCloud Keychain so fill up the password and click on ok .

( j ) Again a pop up window will appear to set up iCloud keychain on this Mac , request approval from one of your other devices using iCloud Keychain .( 1 ) use code ( 2 ) cancel ( 3 ) request approval , so click on use code .

( k ) Wait for a while , nothing will appear on the screen after that a window will appear enter your iCloud security code , so after entering it click on next .

( l) An sms will come to the trusted mobile so enter the code and click on ok and you will notice in front of keychain setting up and a small circle is rotating , the box of keychain will get checked .

( m) On the top right corner of the screen a small notification will appear google password required ( in your case it depends which sevices are being used yahoo , hotmail or other ) .

( n ) Enter your gmail password and click on next , finally iCloud Keychain is set up in the new user account you can open mail application and click on get mail icon all mails will start downloading from the server .

( o ) Open notes application and click on continue all notes data saved in iCloud and in all google will start downloading and it will take time to download ( high network speed is essential ) .

( p ) Then open calendar and click on continue , click on view and show calendar list .

If you want to transfer pictures , movies , music , downloads contents from the home folder of first user account to the second user account .

Open pictures and press command and info change the permissions to read only the folder pictures will be unlocked , them drag and drop the folder on the desktop automatically you can view the contents of pictures in the second user account .

Once all data is synced delete the first corrupted user account see this article Delete a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Check the last box delete home folder and click on minus sign , you can then use new user account onward .

Yes a senior advisor identified this as the cause. But we could not get even the old app store version into the trash? It always said it was a system program and could not be modified or deleted. So I cannot move the old version etc. I wrote CCC about this but have not received any response yet. I hope we can find a solution?

Appreciate all the suggestions. No brass ring yet. Will not allow me to delete all the contents in the updates, contents folder. Says again that is is not possible to delete them. I was able to preferences and delete the com.apple.appstore.plist but it made no difference. Did the first aid thing in recovery and no difference. Had already tried the new user thing and it does show properly in the new user account but not in my main account.

Ok I have found the solution that worked for me. Open up the Carbon Copy program. Go to the utilities in the menu bar of the program and select, :delete a safety net folder. In the "go to computer when selected "go". you will need to open the Mac hard drive and then you will see a folder, "delete a ccc safty net " folder. Open that and pick the dated ccc safety net and move delete it. Once that is done empty the trash, restart and when you open the app store again all should display as normal. Worked for me. Hope it does for others with this problem.

Solved

I have the same problem and I find an older version of apple store saved in iCloud Drive. I deleted it and all work right.

Thank to Italian apple support (Gianluigi) the help me to find the solution.

That worked for me as well. I found an older version of the App Store in an old backup of my applications. Thank you!