A new Markdown reader is now available through the Microsoft Store. Sefer is designed for reading documents, books, and notes. Since it's a Markdown reader, it's a versatile app. Markdown is a flexible text format you've likely seen in your everyday life without thinking about it.

Sefer is a specialized app that delivers on its promise to be a "quiet Markdown reader for Windows." It renders Markdown files well, lays them out in a way that's easy to read, and has some nice design elements that are worth admiring from an app development standpoint.

Sefer comes preloaded with some books: The Odyssey, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and Common Sense. I admire the collection — Little Women is one of my wife's favorite books — but they don't showcase any fancy formatting in the text body.

Instead, they showcase the layout of the app. Sefer has wide margins to simulate the spacing of a printed book, though it also scales when it is resized. It shows a table of contents along the side of the app, making it easy to jump to a specific part of a book or document.

Sefer will return to a specific page when you reopen a book. It can also rerender a page if you edit the source file and save changes.

Rather than syncing to the cloud or the web, Sefer loads local .md, .markdown, and .mdown files.

A unique WinUI app

I spoke with Josh, the developer of Sefer, about the app. If you just care about having a good document reader, you can skip this part, but I love learning about what goes into making Windows apps.

The Markdown rendering within Sefer is custom, though it's built on Markdig. That allows Josh to choose how different elements are rendered.

Generally, WinUI apps rely on RichTextBlock or WebView. RichTextBlock struggles with certain types of content, such as code blocks. WebView uses a Markdown to html reader, which does not align with the native nature of Sefer.

While Sefer is a WinUI app, it has some design elements that make it stand out from something just built with templates. Little touches like the transition from light mode to dark mode feel fluid and add some flair to the app.

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Microsoft is urging developers to embrace the Microsoft Store. Three changes that are rolling out make it free to create an account, add support for signing up with an organization's work account, and streamline the onboarding experience.

Last September, Microsoft got rid of fees for individual developers. Now, companies have received the same treatment. Before the change, companies needed to pay a $99 onboarding fee to get started on the Microsoft Store.

Onboarding is also easier, thanks to support for Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft VP Giorgio Sardo highlighted that many have requested support for using an organization's work account to sign up.

Those who take advantage of the removed fee and broadened signup options will be met with a redesigned onboarding experience that's meant to clarify steps developers need to take.

Winning over developers

Microsoft is on a mission to fix Windows 11, and part of that effort is improving the app experience. Well-known developer Rudy Huyn is building a new team to work on Windows apps.

The Microsoft Store is in a much better state than when it launched in 2012 with Windows 8, though it was known as the Windows Store back then. The Microsoft Store now supports Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, and Electron apps. That support opened the floodgates for legacy apps and desktop apps to enter the Microsoft Store.

The option for developers to host apps on their own servers lets them distribute apps and updates through systems they already rely on rather than paying for Microsoft’s hosting.

Improved search, better developer resources, and other changes have attracted big-name companies to the store.

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden called the Microsoft Store a "must use app store." I've lamented the fact that the current version of the Microsoft Store did not ship a decade ago.

Removing the registration fee for individual developers last year was a step in the right direction. Dropping the fee for companies takes it one step further and may help persuade remaining holdouts to add their apps to the Microsoft Store.

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Microsoft is assembling its version of The Avengers to fix Windows 11. In response to years of negative feedback that bubbled over with "Microslop" trending on social media, Microsoft has announced major improvements to Windows 11.

Microsoft EVP of Windows & Devices, Pavan Davuluri, is a big part of the effort but is far from the only person involved. Some well-known names are working to restore people's faith in Windows 11 and improve the operating system.

Microsoft VP Scott Hanselman is working on improving Windows quality. Those who have followed Microsoft for a long time understand that's only a good thing.

Clint Rutkas, a product manager at Microsoft who leads Windows Terminal, PowerToys, Windows Subsystem for Linux, WinGet, WinAppSDK, and WinSDK, is on X asking for developers to get in touch.

You can add another big name to the list; Rudy Huyn is building a new team to work on Windows apps.

Huyn was a staple in the developer community for years before joining Microsoft. Huyn made third-party apps for Windows Phone and Windows for several popular services that refused to develop for Windows Phone. He then worked at Dropbox until he started his role at Microsoft in 2019.

Huyn reached out, asking for DMs on X about the new team:

"I’m building a new team to work on Windows apps! You don’t need prior experience with the platform, what matters most is strong product thinking and a deep focus on the customer.

If you’ve built great apps on any platform and care about crafting meaningful user experiences, I’d love to hear from you. Send me your portfolio via DM.

If you know someone looking for their next opportunity, feel free to share this with them!"

Huyn did not call the team The Avengers, but I recommend he does.

Windows 11 needs a lot of work. While I'm excited to see Microsoft committed to improving the OS, the right people need to be put into place to make that happen. Huyn is on the short list of people you'd want to be part of the effort.

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Microsoft has announced the Store CLI, a command-line interface for managing and installing Windows apps from the Microsoft Store. It's similar to WinGet, except the Store CLI only works for apps that are available in the Microsoft Store. It's part of a larger set of features being rolled out for developers and power users designed to make using the Microsoft Store better.

"A new command-line interface for the Microsoft Store brings app discovery, installation and update management directly to your terminal. This enables developers and users with a new way to discover and install Store apps, without needing the GUI," Vice President of the Microsoft Store, Giorgio Sardo says.

The Store CLI offers the following functions:

• Browse apps with store browse-apps: Search and filter the Store catalog by category, subcategory, listing type (top-free, top-paid, new releases), market, language and more.
• Install apps instantly with store install : Deploy apps directly from the command line with a single command.
• Update specific apps with store update : Install the latest version of any app without navigating through menus.

Store CLI is available now, and you can get started by typing "store --help" for a complete list of available commands. This feature is useful for those who frequent the command line, offering a quick and efficient way of searching for, installing, and updating existing apps on your system via the Microsoft Store.

Of course, the Store CLI will only work on PCs where the Microsoft Store app is enabled. If you've disabled the Microsoft Store for whatever reason, the Store CLI won't work. WinGet is Microsoft's open-source alternative which still exists and is capable of acquiring a much larger selection of apps, including those from outside the Microsoft Store.

Do you think you'll use Microsoft's new command line interface for the Microsoft Store? Let us know in the comments.

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Xbox Achievements is a system that rewards players with Gamerscore for completing specific objectives, from just finishing levels to more obscure things like challenges. For many players, they add extra motivation and replay value beyond simply finishing a game.

However, TrueAchievements, the popular achievement tracking platform, has published a detailed breakdown of games released on Xbox in 2025. Its data shows that more than 40% of those releases were designed primarily to offer easy Gamerscore.

These low-effort titles, often referred to as shovelware, have increasingly flooded the Microsoft Store, making up a significant portion of last year’s releases. While the issue has been building for years, the scale seen in 2025 highlights just how widespread it has become.

Over on PlayStation, Sony has recently taken steps to clamp down on spam and shovelware games. With that in mind, it raises an obvious question. Is it time for Xbox to take similar action?

How widespread spam Gamerscore games have become

Again, all credit goes to TrueAchievements here. Its breakdown is thorough, so it is worth digging into exactly what the data shows.

Of the more than 2,200 games released on Xbox in 2025, TrueAchievements estimates that over 880, or 39%, were shovelware titles designed around easy achievements. That represents a 204% increase compared to 2024, which saw just 290 such releases.

With so many games launching last year, 2025 also became a record-breaking year for achievements, and Gamerscore added to the Xbox ecosystem. The sheer volume of releases directly fed into that growth.

Across games, add-ons, and DLC, more than 64,000 achievements worth over 3.5 million Gamerscore were made available to unlock. TrueAchievements estimates that 21,601 of those achievements, accounting for over 2 million Gamerscore, came from shovelware titles alone.

For comparison, shovelware games contributed just 647,000 Gamerscore in 2023, highlighting how dramatically the situation has escalated in a short space of time.

What can Microsoft do?

Microsoft could start by following Sony’s lead. Sony recently removed over 1,000 shovelware titles from its storefront, showing that active intervention is possible when the problem reaches a tipping point.

Beyond outright removals, Microsoft needs to be more selective about what it allows onto the Microsoft Store in the first place. As TrueAchievements notes, requiring ID@Xbox titles to support Xbox Play Anywhere would significantly reduce duplicate releases across console and PC, cutting down on achievement farming through repeated releases of the same games, letting users double up on the same achievements.

This whole situation highlights how messy Xbox achievements have become. What was once a fun and competitive system that helped keep me invested in the platform now feels increasingly neglected and marred by shovelware.

Xbox Achievements helped shape modern gaming, pushing PlayStation and Steam to introduce their own alternatives. Today, Xbox’s system risks being left behind, with meaningful updates still feeling distant and the ecosystem less rewarding than it once was.

Do you think Microsoft needs to take stronger action against spam Gamerscore games on Xbox? Share your thoughts in the comments or take part in our poll below:

Windows 11 users are having a nightmarish start to their day. The error code 0x803f8001 is appearing for many when trying to open apps on their PC. File system error (-2143322111) also appears on affected systems.

We've run into the issue when trying to open Armoury Crate, Notepad, and Snipping Tool. It seems like the issue affects a wider range of apps. I'll update this piece as more information becomes available.

A post on a Microsoft forum by user "Kave" shared frustrations recently:

"Getting the error code 0x803f8001 for most my microsoft apps including my Notepad app which has important information and URLS i need for my job. This is getting pretty paralyzing. I can see other people saying they cannot open stuff like Alienware command center, Nitrosense, Snipping tool, etc with the same error code today."

According to Harold Milan, an Independent Advisor who replied to the post, that occur often occurs when the Microsoft Store cannot validate app licenses.

"In most cases, this is due to a corrupted Store cache, a temporary Microsoft account sync issue, or a Store registration glitch rather than actual data loss," said Milan.

A Reddit thread illustrates that the error affects more applications. Specifically, The Xbox Ally and ROG Ally Armoury Crate apps are not able to load for some users, returning account errors.

Our team is trying to remedy the issue on our respective PCs, but we have not found success yet. Specifically, we have tried resetting the Microsoft Store app on a PC, but to no avail.

One member of our team was able to fix the issue by manually uninstalling the Armoury Crate and reinstalling it from ASUS' website, for example. But the fact this issue seems to be affecting all sorts of apps beyond the Xbox Ally Armoury Crate, it stands to reason that it's some sort of account outage at Microsoft's end.

Our sources at Microsoft and ASUS have suggested that they're aware of the issue. We'll keep you updated.

The Microsoft Store feels transformed after a load of updates and improvements that shipped this year. Uninstalling apps is easier, search has improved, and a new Themes section was added.

Microsoft also improved navigation in the Store, sped up loading times, and improved the update process for apps.

Many big-name apps are also in the Microsoft Store now, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify.

Speaking of Spotify, there is no Spotify Wrapped equivalent for the Microsoft Store. I'd love to see how many apps and updates I installed throughout the year and which apps I spent the most time on.

Several companies and brands have copied the concept of Spotify Wrapped, including PlayStation, Instagram, and YouTube. Xbox skipped the trend in 2025 but plans to do something similar next year. If you'd like a wrap-up of your year in Xbox gaming, True Achievements can help.

The Microsoft Store does not have a wrapped section for individual users, but Microsoft Store Vice President Giorgio Sardo shared a year in review piece that highlights improvements.

Sardo covered many of the improvements discussed above, plus Special Events in the Store. He also explained how the Microsoft Store is better personalized for each user.

The Microsoft Store also gained an AI hub to help people discover AI apps.

What Microsoft left out

As you would expect from a piece written by the vice president of the Microsoft Store, "2025 in review" focuses on positive changes.

Overall, I feel the Microsoft Store is in a good place. It's now a must-use app and continues to get new features. There was, however, quite a bit of bad news and controversy surrounding the Microsoft Store this year.

The Microsoft Store no longer allows you to disable automatic updates. Generally speaking, updates are a good thing, but there are times people prefer to stay on the older version of an app.

This year, Microsoft also shut down its Movies & TV storefront that lived within the Microsoft Store. New purchases stopped being possible in July, though previously purchased content is still viewable through the Movies & TV app.

Technically, the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile reached its end in 2025 as well. Windows Phone has been dead for years, so I doubt many were affected by the change.

While not part of the Microsoft Store directly, some of Microsoft's apps in the Store drew criticism this year. Microsoft claims the new Outlook is native, but that's not exactly the case. Microsoft has pushed people toward the new Outlook for quite some time, including stopping the old Mail & Calendar app from working last year.

Microsoft is supposed to create flagship experiences on Windows 11. If the company makes web apps and tries to pass them off as native, it sends a signal to other companies and app developers.

The Microsoft Store Awards for 2025 upset many, including myself. The award winners appear to have been picked based on how much they rely on AI, not the quality of the apps or games.

Some of the apps that won awards are useful and well-made, but there are some baffling entries on the list. Castle Craft is a mobile-style game that came out in 2024, and it was named the 2025 Microsoft Store game of the year.

Oddly, when Sardo highlighted several apps and games in the 2025 year in review, he did not name Castle Craft:

"We welcomed exciting new arrivals to the store, including innovative productivity tools like Raycast, Noteastic and Cephable, fan-favorite games like Fortnite, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, accessibility apps like DotVista, and standout apps such as RunCat 365 and Adobe Premiere Elements 2026."

I'd have thought the 2025 Microsoft Store game of the year would be mentioned by name. Instead, Sardo linked to the 2025 App Awards winner.

Do you think the Microsoft Store is in a good place in 2025? Do you have a favorite change or improvement to the Store? Let us know in the comments!

Customizing your Windows 11 PC is about to get easier. A new section in the Microsoft Store will feature a large collection of themes.

The Microsoft Store already included hundreds of themes, but the new Themes department within the store will make those themes easier to find and apply.

"We are beginning to rollout a new Themes department in the Microsoft Store on Windows, where visitors can quickly find curated and trending themes to customize their Windows devices with a single click," shared Microsoft Store Vice President Giorgio Sardo in a blog post.

"We’ve heard from so many of you that you want your PC to feel like your own. Maybe you’re a gamer who wants to celebrate the latest release, a fan who finds joy in seeing beloved characters each morning, a designer searching for an artfully composed background that sparks creativity every time you log in, or someone who simply wants their desktop to feel fresh and uplifting."

The new Themes department will roll out gradually, so you may not see it yet. Even if it hasn't shipped to your PC, you can download and apply themes from Microsoft. The tech giant shared shortcuts, including the Sea of Thieves Official Theme and the Dreamscapes Theme.

The Themes department is the latest part of a saga I've covered throughout the year. Back in January, Microsoft announced that it would retire its dedicated theme download webpage. For months, the old website and themes within the Microsoft Store lived side-by-side, both acting as a tool to customize your PC.

Eventually, Microsoft kept its word and retired that page, pointing people instead to the Microsoft Store. But the Microsoft Store was not ready to receive an influx of users seeking themes. It did include hundreds of themes, but they were poorly organized.

The Themes department in the Microsoft Store hosts over 400 themes, including 35 recent additions. You'll access those themes by clicking a paintbrush icon that appears below the AI Hub shortcut.

Sardo also highlighted that there are several apps to customize Windows 11 in the Microsoft Store, giving a shout-out to TranslucentTB, Lively Wallpaper and Seelen UI.

I'd also recommend checking out FluentFlyout, Auto Dark Mode, and Start11.

We now know the best apps in the Microsoft Store, at least according to the keeper of that marketplace. Early this month, Giorgio Sardo, Vice President of the Microsoft Store, shared the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners.

Feedback on the winners has been largely negative from what I've seen. There are some confusing entries on the list, including a free-to-play game that came out in 2024.

Several people took to X to complain about the list. The winners also surprised all my coworkers that I shared the list with — and not in a good way.

The majority of the apps use AI to some extent, which is hardly a surprise. Microsoft has added AI to everything from Notepad to Microsoft 365, so it's clear the tech giant values artificial intelligence within applications.

Surprisingly, Microsoft did not accept nominations for the Microsoft Store Awards. The tech giant has sought feedback from the community for quite some time, but it went in a different direction in 2025.

Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners

• AI Assistant: Perplexity by Perplexity AI
• AI Assistant: ChatGPT by OpenAI
• Business: Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Invoice by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd.
• Computer-Using Agents (CUA): Manus by Manus AI
• Creativity: n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I.
• Developer Tools: ngrok by ngrok
• Education: Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation
• Game: Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd
• Music: Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc

The winners illustrate Microsoft's focus on an AI-led future. Several of the apps leverage AI, such as Moises Live using real-time AI audio separation to isolate vocals, instruments, and dialogue.

Obviously, Perplexity and ChatGPT use AI, though the timing of the latter winning an award is a bit poor. ChatGPT is a loss-making machine. Its maker, OpenAI, has reportedly made a massive $1.4 trillion in compute commitments. To offset its costs, ChatGPT may soon have ads.

Creating a "Computer-Using Agents category" is rather specific. It reminds me a bit of a youth sports coach making up awards to make sure certain people can receive praise. That's not to say Manus is a bad app; it just has won a category that did not exist until this year.

Our friends at Tom's Guide compared Manus vs ChatGPT and found Manus to be superior in certain aspects.

I've covered apps for a long time. My first job at Windows Central was reviewing apps. Heck, I've helped pick app awards on several occasions. This list just feels off.

The lack of a nomination process and the clear push to highlight AI apps leave a poor taste in my mouth. But none of the awards are as baffling as the game of the year winner.

2025 Game of the year

The Microsoft Store Award winner for the game category is Castle Craft, a free game that's also playable directly within a browser.

I only played Castle Craft briefly after seeing it won the Microsoft Store award. It seems to work fine and has earned a 4.4 out of 5 rating. But I can't help but think about all the incredible games that came out this year that are available through the Microsoft Store.

Arc Raiders, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight Silksong, and DOOM: The Dark Ages come to mind.

In contrast to those titles, which have received praise, broken records, or both, Castle Craft does not even appear in the Microsoft Store's "Must-play free games" section.

On top of that, Castle Craft did not even ship in 2025 — it came out last year. A fact highlighted by the Microsoft Store incorrectly listing Castle Craft as a Store Awards 2024 winner.

Microsoft says that this year's winners exemplify "technical excellence, user satisfaction and transformative potential." I struggle to believe Microsoft could not find a game that covers those categories better.

What do you think of the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners? Are they all deserving of recognition? Are there apps and games you'd prefer to see on the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Windows 11's Microsoft Store will soon make it easier to uninstall apps from your PC. A new feature that is currently being tested among Windows Insiders lets users uninstall Store-managed apps from the Microsoft Store's library page.

The feature feels so natural that you may have assumed it was already available. But I assure you that clicking the three-dot menu in the library does not show the option to uninstall an app (unless you're an Insider testing the experimental feature).

The change is rolling out gradually to Windows Insiders running Microsoft Store version 22510.1401.x.x and higher. Microsoft outlined the change in a recent blog post. Since that same post also discussed the future expansion of the Xbox full screen experience for PC, the Microsoft Store change was almost a footnote.

Of course, you can uninstall apps through the Settings app or using other methods, but it's nice to be able to remove store-managed apps through the Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Store has improved over the years. It launched in a rough state, but the team behind the store has done a great job improving the Microsoft Store's feature set and reliability.

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden went as far as to say the Microsoft Store is "now a must-use app store in 2025."

Arguably the biggest change to the store was when Microsoft allowed legacy and desktop-class apps to be added. Originally, developers had to make code changes before getting an app into the Microsoft Store. Now, the Microsoft Store supports Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, or Electron apps.

Other changes, such as allowing developers to host their apps on their own servers, drew big-name app developers to the store. Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify are all available through the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft dropped the fee for individual developers to join the Microsoft Store earlier this year. The fee, which used to be a one-off payment of $19, was already lower than that of Google (one-time fee of $25) or Apple ($99 per year).

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Microsoft has introduced a handy new feature to the online Microsoft Store that lets you create one-click install packs for multiple apps at once. The process makes downloading and installing multiple apps in one go a breeze, compiling them all into a single download that you run once and have the Microsoft Store handle.

As of today, when you visit the Microsoft Store in your browser, you'll see a new "Multi-app install" button that brings you to a list of apps that have been categorized for easier viewing. From here, you can select the apps you want to compile into a multi-app install package, and clicking "Install selected" will download an .exe file that you can run on your PC that will hand-off the heavy lifting to the Microsoft Store app.

In our testing, the feature is very streamlined. The .exe that is downloaded doesn't even include an interface you have to navigate through. You just run the installer, and the Microsoft Store opens and begins downloading all the apps you've selected. It's very good, and is a clear swing at popular multi-app install programs like Ninite.

Unfortunately, so far it seems Microsoft's multi-app install packages are only supported by the apps that appear on the multi-app install page on the Microsoft Store website, meaning you can't yet select any old app available in the Microsoft Store. Still, there's 48 of the most popular apps in the Microsoft Store to choose from, including Spotify, Discord, Telegram, and more.

Curiously, there's also no way to create a multi-app install package using the Microsoft Store app itself, requiring you to use the online Microsoft Store website instead. These install packages are super handy, especially if you find yourself moving between new PCs often and need to install your frequently used apps on a regular basis.

Microsoft has quietly removed the ability to top apps from the Microsoft Store from automatically updating on Windows 11 and Windows 10. In the last couple of months, users have noticed that the Microsoft Store's option to turn off automatic app updates now prompts the user to pause them for up to 5 weeks instead.

In the past, the toggle to turn off automatic app updates did just that. It would turn off the Microsoft Store's ability to automatically update installed apps, leaving the ability to check for updates and install them entirely up to the user. Now, when turning off the automatic app updates toggle, the user is presented with a drop down that only allows you to pause it between 1 and 5 weeks.

"You may pause automatic updates for a period of time" says the Microsoft Store. Curiously, no changelog for the Microsoft Store's recent updates mentions this change in behavior.

This means that if you don't want the Microsoft Store to automatically update your apps, you can no longer stop it from doing so forever. At some point, the Microsoft Store will ensure all your installed apps are up to date. This is the same way Windows Update works, where you can pause it for a number of weeks, but never outright turn it off. Eventually, it will install the latest updates. Now the Microsoft Store will do the same.

Of course, this change only applies to apps that you've acquired from the Microsoft Store. Apps downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store won't be impacted by this change, and will continue to rely on their independent update systems.

In recent months, the Microsoft Store has really come into its own. I called it "actually great now" in a recent editorial, and I stand by that claim. In regards to catalog and app availability, pretty much all of the apps I'd want to install on Windows are available in there. The ability to update all my apps in one place is also great, and works well now.

Unfortunately, the ability to outright disable automatic app updates is a little annoying, especially if you're using a particular version of an app that you don't want to move away from. On the flipside, it's good for security as it means you'll always be using the latest, most secure version of an app available.

Thanks for the tip, Jameson!

Individual developers can now publish apps in the Microsoft Store without having to pay any fees. Microsoft announced the change this week in a Windows Developer blog post. The change also means that a credit card is no longer needed to publish apps in the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft, which until recently charged individual developers a one-time fee of $19, already had lower fees than other tech giants. Google has a one-time fee of $25. Apple charges individual developers $99 per year.

Microsoft announced plans to remove the fees for individual developers at Build 2025. The change has now gone into effect in over 200 markets.

“Eliminating registration fees for individual developers isn’t just a technical decision: it’s a statement of respect for those who create from the periphery, with limited resources but powerful ideas. Thank you for opening this door: not just for me, but for an entire community that can now dream out loud," said Freddy Castillo, an independent developer.

In its blog post, Microsoft highlighted that the Microsoft Store has over 250 million monthly active users. Microsoft's Chetna Das also discussed how removing the requirement for a credit card opens the store to more developers:

"Developers will no longer need a credit card to get started, removing a key point of friction that has affected many creators around the world. By eliminating these one-time fees, Microsoft is creating a more inclusive and accessible platform that empowers more developers to innovate, share and thrive on the Windows ecosystem."

To register, you need to navigate to Microsoft's store developer page. There, you'll be able to select "Get Started" and select your account type (company accounts still require a one-time $99 fee). To complete the process you'll need a Microsoft account, an ID and a selfie to verify your identity, and to provide some details to Microsoft.

Microsoft Store improvements

The Microsoft Store first launched in 2012 alongside Windows 8. At the time it was called the "Windows Store," and it was not well received. It lacked major apps, did not perform as well as expected, and limited what types of apps could be published.

Microsoft worked to improve its store over the years, including a rebrand to the "Microsoft Store" in 2021. The tech giant also removed barriers for developers, paving the way for classic desktop apps to appear in the store.

The Microsoft Store now supports publishing Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, or Electron apps.

Several other changes made the Microsoft Store a more desirable place to publish apps, such as allowing developers to host apps on their own servers. Performance of the Microsoft Store has improved tremendously over the years.

Now, the Microsoft Store includes big-name apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify. Newer apps like ChatGPT are also there. Several of the best apps for power users can also be downloaded through the Microsoft Store.

It's a shame that Microsoft took over a decade to get its store to an acceptable level. I fear Microsoft may have missed its chance to convert users. There's a good chance many will never default to using the Microsoft Store to find and download apps.

But the Microsoft Store is genuinely a useful tool that continues to improve. Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden called the Microsoft Store a must-use app store and encouraged people to give it a chance.

With the removal of a registration fee for indivudal developers, we may see another wave of apps enter the Microsoft Store.

Gamers on Xbox will no longer have to dig through several copies of the same games when browsing the Microsoft Store. "Bundle spamming" is the target of new policies from Microsoft, and that's great news for gamers and (many) developers.

The Microsoft Store is filled with largely identical bundles. These clutter the store and stop games from staying in the new games section of the store.

The new policies put in place, as well as an emphasis on preexisting policies, should clean up the Microsoft Store significantly.

A Microsoft email sent to developers states:

"After an investigation, Microsoft has determined that bundles focusing on different platforms with undifferentiated content in an attempt to maximize digital shelf space are incompatible with Section 3 of the Developer Code of Conduct, as they confuse players and are an attempt to manipulate the search results for a game.

"We will no longer enable bundles that contain different platform SKUs of the same game. Additionally, other attempts to manipulate the Store search results may result in bundles being delisted or not granted."

The email also notes that the changes will reduce confusion while also decluttering the store and limiting the ability for developers to manipulate shoppers.

True Achievements shared some of the most important criteria listed in the email for getting a bundle onto the Microsoft Store:

• Bundles should not consist solely of different SKUs of the same game (e.g., Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox PC versions) unless there is meaningful differentiation in content
• Meaningful differentiation includes editions such as Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate, where each provides unique or additional content, as well as cases where the distinct platform versions have notable differences, such as resolution or frame rate
• A single product with similar or minimally differentiated bundles taking up an excessive number of slots in new releases, search results, or other Store channels is not permitted
• Multiple product bundles in which the platform is the only thing unique between two bundles of the same content are not permitted
• Visual and content differentiation should be clear to avoid customer confusion and Store clutter
• Do not create bundles with the sole (or perceived) intent to manipulate discounting cooldown periods, search results, or other discovery mechanisms, or to manipulate in any way the operation of the Store

Bundles can be a great way to get the best version of a game. Whether it's an old title that has since gotten bundled with a substantial DLC or a new game that includes exclusive perks or special content in an "Ultimate" version, it's important for gamers to be able to purchase bundles.

Developers gaming the system to fill digital storefronts, work around Xbox Play Anywhere, and promote sales in a dishonest way hurt genuine bundles that are good for users and developers.

What is bundle spamming?

Bundle spamming is a tactic used by developers to flood a digital storefront. Devs will release several bundles that include different SKUs of the same game.

For example, one game may appear five times in a store by having separate entries for different Xbox consoles, as well as a couple of bundles that include specific console versions.

At first glance, that may sound like a reasonable practice. People may want to purchase a game on a specific platform, after all. But bundle spamming separates listings on purpose to take up more space in a store. Developers could, and now must, use better methods for displaying different versions of games.

Developers use bundle spamming for a variety of reasons, none of which are generally considered good things.

Taking up more space on store shelves is a strategy that pre-dates Xbox. Some products in grocery stores cannot stack neatly, forcing containers to be placed side-by-side.

Sometimes you'll see very similar products from the same company sold alongside each other.

But there's a difference between selling several varieties of Oreos or other snacks and bundle spamming games. Perhaps most importantly to hardcore snackers like myself, there is a substantial difference between Double Stuf and Mega Stuf Oreos (double is superior).

The key here is that different listings need to be meaningfully different.

That may seem obvious, but it's not what is happening right now. This issue has plagued the Xbox storefront for years, and its being addressed is being celebrated by the community.

While bundle spamming is not always connected to "selling" Gamerscore, the two practices are often used in tandem. The same developers who bundle spam often use easy achievements to sell games.

This is viewed as "selling" Gamerscore, because players need to do little to earn points apart from purchasing a game. Until recently, developers could publish multiple copies of the same game easily, creating an easy avenue for earning Gamerscore.

By pushing developers to make games Xbox Play Anywhere titles, Microsoft can crack down on bundle spamming and easy Gamerscore stacking with the same changes.

The Windows app store has taken many forms over the years, first launching with Windows 8 in 2012 as the "Windows Store," a marketplace for "modern" apps that never fully materialized. The store was slowly updated, improved, and relaxed over the course of Windows 10's lifecycle, eventually being rebranded as the "Microsoft Store" we know today.

But it wasn't until 2021, with the launch of Windows 11, where the Microsoft Store really came into its own. Up until a few years ago, I almost never opened the Microsoft Store because it was ugly, slow, and didn't include most of the apps I needed to download. Now, the Microsoft Store is an entirely different beast, with a beautiful fluid UI and catalog of apps that covers everything I need to use on Windows.

Microsoft has made some key changes to the Microsoft Store in recent years that has transformed it into a genuinely useful app marketplace for Windows users. The first big change Microsoft made was opening the floodgates to legacy and desktop-class Windows apps, no longer requiring developers to make code changes to their apps to make them compliant with the store.

The second big change was allowing developers to host their apps on their own servers while still being listed in the Microsoft Store. That means app developers can distribute their apps and app updates via the same systems they've always used instead of relying on and paying for Microsoft's hosting servers or in-app purchase fee. The Microsoft Store acts as a search engine, listing the app but pulling the bits directly from the developer.

Because of these key changes, there are now more apps available to download via the Microsoft Store than ever before. For me, all the apps I use on Windows on a daily basis are available to find via the Microsoft Store, offering one-click downloads for everything I need and making setting up a new Windows PC easy.

Here's just a handful of apps I use that I was surprised to see in the Microsoft Store:

• OBS Studio
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Discord
• Slack
• Spotify
• Paint.NET
• Audacity
• Apple Music
• ChatGPT
• Brave
• Firefox
• Telegram

And it's not just downloading new apps that the Microsoft Store does well, either. The Microsoft Store also handles app updates, which makes keeping my Windows PC up to date so much easier. I just hit one "check for updates" button in the Microsoft Store, and all the apps on my PC get updated should there be a new update available.

It will even list app updates for the apps that aren't hosted on Microsoft's store servers in a separate category that lets you manually trigger the download of the newest bits. This ensures that the Microsoft Store doesn't interrupt your workflow should you have those apps open, which is a nice touch.

Microsoft has also made improvements to the backend of the Microsoft Store. In the past, app updates and downloads would almost always fail for unknown reasons, but today that rarely happens. When it does happen, the Microsoft Store finally gives you a helpful error code and explains what caused the update to fail and how to fix it, which is really great.

The UI of the Microsoft Store itself is also something to be celebrated. It has come such a long way since the Windows 10 days, where it was a slow and ugly web app that was unresponsive and terrible to use. The new Microsoft Store is a complete redesign from the ground up, using beautiful native Windows UI frameworks for a fast, fluid, and dynamic experience.

The entire app is responsive, with features such as hovering over app listings for more information and a quick install button. The homepage is also dynamic, showing you apps it thinks you might want to download based on your other app downloads, which I've found to be genuinely useful when discovering new apps I didn't know I needed. It's so good, I'd argue it's Windows 11's best in-box app, bar none.

The ultimate one stop shop for all your apps

It took over a decade, but the Microsoft Store is finally a useful app marketplace for Windows users. I would wager that most users can now find all the apps they need on Windows via the Microsoft Store, and that's great news for everyone. The only app I can think of that most people use that isn't in the store is Google Chrome, but at this point that's Google's fault, not Microsoft's.

All the other big name browsers, from Opera to Firefox, are available to download in the Microsoft Store. Even apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, OBS Studio, Apple Music, and Paint.NET are available in the Store. If you are an app developer building a Windows app, there is no excuse to not have your app listed in the Microsoft Store today.

It's not only more convenient for the end user, but it's also safer, too. The Microsoft Store does a great job at surfacing the officially listed store apps for developers that put them in there. The same cannot be said for web search engines, which will often place sponsored links above the actual website where an app developer has hosted their app.

At this point, we really should be encouraging more app developers to get their apps into the store for this reason alone. Google, Valve, and others are letting their own users down by not being included here, and that's a shame. It's no longer Microsoft's fault if an app isn't in the Microsoft Store, as there's no policy stopping them from being there. We need to start pointing the finger at developers.

It's time to give the Microsoft Store another chance

If you're not using the Microsoft Store today because of the reputation it gained over the last decade, it's time to reevaluate that mindset and give it another try. The Microsoft Store is an entirely different beast today, embracing an open-platform ideology that has allowed its selection of apps to expand exponentially. It really is at a point where most of the Windows apps you likely use are available in there.

For the apps that aren't, it's time to start encouraging those app developers to get a move on. Of course, Windows will always be an open platform and app developers are free to distribute their apps in any way they like, but if they want to make finding and downloading their apps easier and safer, it's time to consider the Microsoft Store.

A lot of apps in the Microsoft Store don't even require a Microsoft Account to download them, so if you've not been using it because you think it requires an online account, that's not actually true. There really isn't an excuse not to give it a try!

Of course, everything mentioned in this article also applies to Windows 10, not just Windows 11. Microsoft brought the Windows 11 version of the Microsoft Store to Windows 10, meaning all these improvements are also available on that platform. So give it a try if you're still using Windows 10.

The days of the Microsoft Store on Windows being a pain to use with a sorry selection of apps is well and truly over. It's genuinely great now!

Microsoft has announced that it's shutting down the Movies & TV storefront on the Microsoft Store. As of July 18, it is no longer possible to purchase new media content, whether that be on a Windows PC or Xbox, using the Microsoft Store.

"Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox" says a Microsoft support page published today.

Accessing media via the Entertainment tab in the Microsoft Store app now shows an alert that says "Microsoft will no longer be making movies and TV content available for purchase," with the button to buy movies or TV shows outright removed.

The company does say that users who have purchased Movies & TV content from the Microsoft Store in the past will continue to be able to access that content via the Movies & TV app, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. It's just the storefront itself that's going away.

This has been a long time coming, especially after Microsoft killed its music streaming service, Groove Music, all the way back in 2017. Ever since, people have assumed Movies & TV would be next, and now that day is finally here. Microsoft says it will not be offering refunds for recent purchases.

If you live in the US, you can utilize a service called Movies Anywhere to sync your purchased content to other services that also support Movies Anywhere. For those not in a region where this is possible, you will have to keep using the Movies & TV app to stream the content you've purchased in the past.

This will be frustrating news for anyone who has built up a large collection of Movies & TV content using Microsoft's service over the years. They'll now have to switch to a new platform to continue that collection. If you wanted all your stuff in one place, that's no longer an option.

Now, the company says if you want to continue watching movies & TV on Windows or Xbox platforms, you should sign up for third-party platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and others.

Microsoft first launched Movies & TV back in 2012 under the name Xbox Video and was part of the Xbox Entertainment ecosystem that let users subscribe to a music pass and rent or buy movies & TV. The company has since slowly exited from the entertainment business in all areas apart from gaming.

The Xbox Music and Xbox Video services superseded Zune Music and Zune Video, which launched in the 2000's and was ahead of the curve with streaming. With Movies & TV finally bowing out, that marks the end of an almost 20-year run of Microsoft selling linear entertainment media.

What will happen to my purchased content?

Microsoft says that all content purchased via the Microsoft Store will continue to be available to stream via the Movies & TV app, which will continue to exist.

"You can continue to enjoy your previously purchased movies and TV shows using the Microsoft Movies & TV app on your Xbox or Windows device" says Microsoft.

Now, we just have to hope Microsoft commits to keeping those servers alive so that already purchased content is always available.

The Microsoft Store has another wave of changes on the way that will help you find relevant apps. The updated store will feature a personalized homepage, faster search, and integrate with Copilot to help you learn about apps.

The Microsoft Store will also integrate with Windows, allowing you to search for apps through Windows search and find relevant applications.

Here's a quick rundown of the changes on the way to the Microsoft Store:

• Personalized homepage with recommendations based on your preferences.
• Rearchitected search that factors in app updates and ratings.
• Copilot within the Microsoft Store to answer questions about apps and perform comparisons.
• A "Discover More" section that shows content you may be interested in.
• Product page badges that indicate which apps have AI features or that are optimized for Copilot+ PCs.

Soon, Windows search will be able to show apps and games that you can install through the Microsoft Store. Microsoft is also testing app suggestions for opening specific types of files.

According to the tech giant, the Microsoft Store now launches two times faster than it did six months ago. Reliability and speed within the store have also improved in that time.

Improving the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store has received a lot of criticism over the years, including my own jabs. But it's clear the tech giant has made improving the Microsoft Store a priority.

Microsoft announced over 150 changes to the Microsoft Store earlier this year. Those improvements range from a better process for updates to a section of the store for themes.

Many of the upgrades to the Microsoft Store are the result of user feedback.

"The Microsoft Store on Windows is used by over 250 million users each month – and we take the responsibility we have to you, our customers, seriously," said Giorgio Sardo, Vice President of the Microsoft Store. "We use the feedback you send to ensure we’re focusing on the most important things our customers care about."

The direction of the Microsoft Store changed for the better when Microsoft hired well-known developer Rudy Huyn to be principal lead architect of the Microsoft Store in 2019.

The current Microsoft Store is vastly improved when compared to the experience years ago. Microsoft struggled to convert big-name developers to embrace the Microsoft Store for a long time, but things have improved steadily.

The latest wave of updates is relatively small, but builds on years of significant upgrades to the Microsoft Store. I just wish the current store shipped years ago.

Microsoft has announced that it's waiving the fees involved with signing up and submitting an app for listing on the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Starting in June, it will be free for individuals to get their apps into the Windows app store for the first time.

Announced as part of its Build 2025 developer conference, Microsoft is the first tech giant with an active app store platform to make it entirely free for developers to sign up and submit apps to the storefront. Until today, Microsoft charged individual developers a one-time fee of $19.

To compare, Google currently charges a one-time $25 fee, and Apple charges an annual $99 fee. Removing the fee should make it easier for aspiring app developers to get their apps in front of more Windows users, as the Microsoft Store is a great one-stop shop for discovering new apps.

"This will make Microsoft Store on Windows the first global digital store to waive the fee for publishing apps" says Microsoft in the Build 2025 book of news. Notably, this fee does not appear to have been waived for company accounts. Microsoft charges organizations a fee of $99, and it seems that this fee will remain in place for now.

Microsoft announced a number of new features and changes for developers today as part of its Build 2025 developer keynote, including Model Context Protocol support for AI agentic experiences across Windows apps, and a new App Actions API.

Earlier this year, our Senior Editor Zac Bowden reported on Microsoft's plan to shut down its flagship retail storefront in the United Kingdom in February.

A Microsoft spokesperson indicated that the move was designed to align with the company's focus on digital growth: "Microsoft has decided to exit the lease at the Microsoft Experience Centre in London early," they added.

More recently, the Redmond giant closed its Experience Centre in Sydney on May 10, 2025 (via Neowin).

According to Microsoft:

"The Microsoft Experience Centre in Sydney will be closing to the public on 10 May, 2025. If you’re interested in learning about our products or need support, you can always visit us at Microsoft.com. Online customer support is available to assist you with any questions you may have."

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft decided to pull the plug on its physical retail stores in the United States and across the world. However, the tech giant retained four locations that it reimagined and transitioned into "Experience Centers".

Following the closure of Microsoft's Experience Center in Sydney, the company now has only two out of the four Experience Centers that were transitioned into retail stores.

This leaves Microsoft with only two physical consumer locations: one in New York and the other in Redmond. It'll be interesting to see if Microsoft is able to replicate or even supersede the same experience for customers as it ramps up its digital growth strategy and campaign.

Microsoft developers have been hard at work monitoring social media to receive feedback about the Microsoft Store. Rudy Huyn, principal lead architect of the Microsoft Store, took to X to share some of the changes made following feedback.

In total, Microsoft has made over 150 client-side changes, according to Huyn.

When Microsoft announced the end of its free wallpapers and themes website, I complained about how themes were organized in the Microsoft Store. It seems I was not alone, since Microsoft has created a brand-new page for browsing themes.

Other changes include downloads now appearing separately from the My Library section of the Microsoft Store.

Gamers also received some love, as it's now possible to select game components before installing a game.

Downloading specific components was a nightmare when I compared the Microsoft Store to Steam. I'm happy to see some changes to improve the experience.

New server modules, a new spotlight for home pages, and an AI Hub for Copilot+ PCs round out an impressive list of changes from Microsoft.

Huyn promised in his final post that more changes are coming.

The changes appear to be rolling out gradually, so you may not see them right away.

Since threaded posts from X can be a bit difficult to navigate, here is what Huyn had to say about the improvements to the Microsoft Store:

1. We closely follow your tweets and posts about the Microsoft Store and use your feedback to shape our plans for each sprint. In our latest release, we implemented over 150 client-side changes.
2. We heard your feedback about themes and the need for easier browsing. We've created a brand-new page to help you find the themes you love with ease!
3. Some of you shared feedback about the header of our product pages, especially when no trailers were available. We listened and made significant improvements, here is a before/after.
4. We also heard your feedback about updating your applications and have made some important changes. Downloads are now separate from My Library and will now allow you to update unpackaged applications!
5. You mentioned that you wanted the ability to select game components before installing a game, and this is now possible!
6. We have built/[improved] several new modules, including a beautiful new spotlight for home pages.
7. We made the experience even better on Copilot+ PC with a new exclusive AI Hub showcasing all the latest AI features available for these computers.
8. And way more:
   1. We have made significant improvements to launch and navigation performance.
   2. Enjoy access to the full Game Pass catalog, including games available through other launchers (http://Battle.net, Riot, etc.)
   3. We’re launching our partnership with Tencent in China, bringing you thousands of new apps and games!

It's been seven years since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Adaptive Controller, but that doesn't mean that the company's commitment to accessibility has come to an end. Microsoft officially revealed its Xbox Adaptive Joystick in August 2024, but the newest controller for accessibility only just launched exclusively to the Microsoft Store today for $29.99 following the Microsoft Ability Summit's 15th annual celebration.

According to Microsoft, there are more than 429 million players worldwide who are affected by disabilities each with their own unique needs and preferences. To meet these needs, Xbox has partnered with various members of the Gaming and Disability community to focus development on controllers, gaming accessories, and even packaging that is practical and accessible to more players.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is designed with players who face limited mobility as the point of focus, but the singular, wired joystick is versatile enough to be incorporated into a variety of gaming setups. You do not need an Adaptive Controller to use the new Adaptive Joystick, as it can work right alongside a regular Xbox controller.

However, if you do have an Xbox Adaptive Controller, the new joystick can be paired along with it, as well as additional Xbox Adaptive accessories including the mouse, pen, and adaptive kit.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is compatible with adaptive setups on both PC and Xbox. The joystick's four face buttons, bumper, and trigger can all be customized using button remapping inside the Xbox Accessories app. The face buttons are white and marked x1, x2, x3, and x4 in black text. The controller's singular thumbstick is clickable and is black with a black frame and the Xbox logo

Microsoft has also previouslyreleased the files necessary to create 3D prints of thumbstick toppers to further improve accessibility. The 3D-printed toppers are compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, as well as other Xbox controllers.

Accessibility meets AI

Along with announcing the availability of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, Microsoft also took advantage of the annual Microsoft Ability Summit to inject some AI into it's accessibility efforts.

Microsoft teams and partners announced plans to integrate Microsoft's Azure AI features into various programs. Tobii Dynavox, for example, is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice to provide personalized options for individuals using assistive communication devices using eye gaze.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams' Sign Language View feature will use AI to improve detection of speakers who are using sign language during video calls. The application then features the Sign Language speaker to ensure they are visible.

Copilot, too, is also turning up more as an accessibility tool. Microsoft highlighted a study that claimed Copilot had helped upwards of 76% of employees with a range of neurodiversities to perform better at work. Microsoft further highlighted how Copilot tools could enhance communication, memory recall, and focus among employees. Even the Special Olympics has utilized Copilot as a training companion for coaches and athletes.

AI has, and continues to be, a hot-button topic among those in gaming, with high-profile voice actors speaking out against the use of AI and the lack of protections from the industry for human talent. However, some ethical uses of AI in gaming seems to be more widely accepted, including Call of Duty's partnership with Modulate to reduce disruptive chat behavior.

Microsoft's Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie committed to furthering accessibility efforts from Microsoft, writing, "Accessibility makes our tools and technologies easier for everyone and accelerates innovation for the world."

Windows Phone has been dead for half a decade at this point. Support ended in early 2020, so anything that continued to work after that point was potluck. Indeed, it appears that luck is starting to wear thin, as the Microsoft Store app has stopped working as of this week.

The Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile has been a bit of a mess for a long time. Since Windows 11 launched, many of the apps that appear in there aren’t even compatible with the dead mobile platform. It’s also still using the old Windows 10 app store layout, which was web based and incredibly slow.

Naturally, this version of the store appears to be no longer be fully functional, resulting in a white screen whenever you try to access an app’s download page. It’s not like there were many apps left anyway, but now there’s no longer a working official storefront for grabbing the remaining few that still existed.

What's unfortunate is that all the behind the scenes plumbing for app downloads and updates still exists and is likely working fine, but because the front end is web based and is no longer online, the end user is no longer able to actually press download on an app.

You can still sideload apps, which is likely what people will have to do from now on if they intend to install any apps for Windows 10 Mobile. Of course, you’ll have to source the apps on your own, and since nobody is actively developing UWP apps these days, you’ll be looking for much older and outdated apps.

It’s somewhat admirable that the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile continued to function this long on a platform that the company abandoned over five years ago. Windows 10 Mobile hasn’t been viable as a daily use platform since before support even ended.

Other core apps such as Mail & Calendar have also stopped working in recent months, likely because the company has abandoned those apps on Windows desktop and replaced them with the terrible new Outlook app. OneDrive is a similar affair, with certain functions no longer working in the app, including uploading files and photos.

Honestly, if you are still using a Windows 10 Mobile device for whatever reason, it’s seriously time to move on. You can find new cheap Android phones that will function much faster and better than your aged Windows 10 Mobile device, and so it's probably time to consider one of those. Or an iPhone.

The best Windows phone experience in 2025 is one that's paired with Windows Phone Link, which is an excellent feature built-in to Windows 11 that lets you sync your Android or iPhone's notifications and photos. You can see all your recent text messages and notifications directly from your PC.

In recent years, Microsoft has attempted to re-enter the smartphone market with two Android devices, the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. These devices were treated just like Windows Phone was, and were eventually abandoned just as the concept was picking up steam.

But at least with the Surface Duo, these devices will still be usable for a number of years to come, thanks to the open nature of Android. Even though Microsoft has abandoned support for these dual-screen phones, most, if not all modern Android apps are still fully supported on the Surface Duo, which came out five years ago this year.

Microsoft has abandoned a number of forward leaning projects in recent years, including Windows Mixed Reality and HoloLens, as well as its streamlined mobile app platform known as UWP, and Android apps on Windows. The company has well and truly given up on mobile devices powered by Windows, and has pivoted to focusing on experiences designed to enhance traditional PC form factors.

The Microsoft Store on Windows 11 will soon have a new feature that helps you reduce how much space games take up on your PC. Alongside the announcement of Windows 11 Build 27788, which includes a clone of Apple's Handoff feature, Microsoft announced a new feature for the Microsoft Store that lets you install individual components for some games.

The feature allows you to install specific parts of games, such as high-resolution textures. Alternatively, you can choose to not install components, reducing the amount of space a game takes up on your PC. The feature works as you install games and can be used to pick which parts of a game are on your system later.

Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels can update the Microsoft Store to version 22501.1401. Following that update, the Microsoft Store will support installing individual components for games. For example, installing all of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 would take up around 300GB on your hard drive. But if you prefer to only play multiplayer mode, you could choose to not install or remove the campaign, which would save 83.2GB on your system.

Microsoft did not share a list of games that support the feature.

The Xbox app already supports picking which parts of games are installed on a PC, but having the option to manage storage through the Microsoft Store is a nice addition. The interface and design of the Xbox app is far from perfect. The storage management options in the Microsoft Store appear easier to navigate.

Since the feature is in testing, it could change before it ships to general users. It could also not ship at all, though that seems unlikely for this specific feature, which is essentially a reskin of preexisting functionality that makes it easier to manage game storage.

Ubuntu is probably the most used distro on WSL, not least because it can be installed as the default distro. But Canonical has announced some changes underneath to how it installs, which will be music to many ears.

It centers around using Microsoft's recently released feature to install distros to WSL using a tar-based distribution model, rather than relying on appx bundles delivered through the Microsoft Store.

That ultimately means you don't have to rely on the Microsoft Store to deliver Ubuntu, and in enterprise, particularly, that's important news.

From the official blog:

"We are happy to announce that Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is now available in Microsoft’s new tar-based distribution architecture.

"Ubuntu has been a widely used Linux distribution on WSL, offering a familiar development environment for many users. This new distribution architecture for WSL will make adoption easier in enterprise environments by enabling image customization and deployments at scale. The new tar-based WSL distro format allows developers and system administrators to distribute, install, and manage Ubuntu WSL instances from tar files without relying on the Microsoft Store."

So long as you have the latest version of WSL 2 installed on your PC, running the command wsl --install Ubuntu will now download and install the distro in this new format.

Canonical goes on to explain the main benefits of doing this. The first is removing reliance on Windows packaged apps and the Microsoft Store, and in turn, enterprise can now self-host and control exactly which WSL images are available. The third is that developers and administrators can now customize their installations by modifying the images as they require.

It has been possible to install WSL images from outside the Microsoft Store for a while, as shown in the image above, using a version of Manjaro built for the platform. Anyone with the right know-how could make an image, but Microsoft introducing the ability to use tar-based distribution made the process a lot simpler.

It's likely this approach will become more widespread, and you can try it out for yourself immediately. In addition to the install command above, you can simply download the new tar-based .wsl file from Ubuntu and simply double click to install it.

There's been no shortage of big WSL news in recent times, with Ubuntu soon to be joined on the platform by the likes of Fedora and Arch Linux, both of which have confirmed plans to offer official images.

Microsoft's page for downloading free wallpapers and themes is about to take an early retirement. Right now, you can navigate to a dedicated page to download hundreds of different themes ranging from "African Wildlife" to "Zune Zodiac." But a new message at the top of that page points people to the Microsoft Store instead.

"This page containing links to download Windows themes is now obsolete and will be retired soon. We recommend downloading the latest themes directly from the Microsoft Store for the best experience," says Microsoft. Despite the tech giant saying the page is obsolete, you can still download themes from the site, at least for now.

The Microsoft Store has an entire section for Windows themes, which features hundreds of options, but they appear to be different from those on the retired website.

Luckily, fan-favorites like "Dogs of Winter" are in the Microsoft Store. Cat lovers also have several options featuring furry friends.

Another Microsoft Store mess

Normally, I wouldn’t mind themes and wallpapers moving from a free website to the Microsoft Store, especially since Microsoft is still offering hundreds of high-quality images for free. But this move seems to have been made in an effort to push people to the Microsoft Store. If that is the case, I question why Microsoft did not get the themes section of the Microsoft Store ready for prime time before retiring its old themes website.

The old website was organized into categories, such as 'Animals,' 'Automotive,' and 'Movies,' with each category expanding to display relevant themes. In contrast, the themes section of the Microsoft Store lacks categories.

As far as I can tell, the themes section of the Microsoft Store is listed alphabetically but with exceptions. There appear to be featured themes along the top of the page within the store, but that's only a guess. There isn't any clear indication why those themes are different than the rest that are simply sorted alphabetically.

If Microsoft wants users to embrace the Microsoft Store, the company needs to ensure that the store’s experience is on par with competing platforms. We've seen a similar story play out around gaming, where it's clear many prefer Steam, Epic Games, and other launchers over the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft's flagship UK "Experience Centre" storefront in London will close its doors next month, the company has confirmed. In a statement to Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson said "To better align with its focus on digital growth, Microsoft has decided to exit the lease at the Microsoft Experience Centre in London early."

The 21,000 square foot Microsoft Store in London first opened in July 2019 to much fanfare. It was designed to be a hub for technology from both Microsoft and its partners, showcasing high-end hardware from third-party OEMs as well as the latest products from Surface and Xbox.

The store also included an Answer Desk and support area, where Surface and Xbox customers could bring their devices for technical support should they need it. With the only physical storefront now closing, this will no longer be an avenue for support for customers with Surface PCs or Xbox consoles.

Unfortunately, even though the Microsoft Store is located in a prime location in the heart of London's Oxford Street, the store seemingly hasn’t seen much footfall since its original launch date. "We regularly review our locations and our workforce to ensure we are aligning to market opportunities and make changes to meet the demands of the business" said the Microsoft spokesperson.

In addition to being a storefront and experience centre, Microsoft also used the space for business meetings with partners and colleagues. The store featured three floors, with the first two being used as retail space, and the third floor consisting of meeting spaces that the company frequently used.

The closure of the Microsoft Store in the UK is another blow for Microsoft's consumer facing products and services, which will no longer have a home on the streets of London. The company has been significantly scaling back on Surface and consumer efforts in the last handful of years, and the UK Microsoft Store is the latest victim.

• DarkSky is a new third-party app for Bluesky.
• The app is available on Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store.
• DarkSky is in preview but will gain exclusive features in the future.

Bluesky has a new app on Windows 11 that promises exclusive new features and an attractive layout. The new app, called DarkSky for BlueSky, has a modern design that fits in on Windows 11. While Bluesky works perfectly well on Windows 11 through a web browser, DarkSky provides an experience that looks more native on PCs. The app is in its early days, so the main focus is getting it to parity with Bluesky's web version, but in the future the app will have exclusive features.

Since DarkSky is so new, it receives updates quite often. The app just received an update that brings it to version 0.3.7. That version number shows how new this app is.

The main focus of development for DarkSky for BlueSky is reaching feature parity with the web. Here's what shipped with DarkSky version 0.3.7.

• Notifications
• Mentions, links, hashtags
• View other profiles
• Open quote posts, links
• Create text posts
• Bug fixes, error handling

At this point, I wouldn't recommend DarkSky as your main Bluesky client. It works, but it's very early in its development. The ability to open profiles only shipped five days ago, quickly followed by support for embeds in opened posts, image viewer, and seeing alt text.

The best Bluesky experience on Windows right now will come from installing Bluesky as a progressive web app (PWA) or using deck.blue, which is similar to TweetDeck.

While DarkSky is not a full Bluesky client right now, it is a petri dish for app development. It's incredibly interesting to see the order features are added, what bugs appear, and what developers can do to make a third-party client stand out from first-party apps and web experiences.

I spoke with FireCubeStudios, the developer of DarkSky, about what's on the way for the app. DarkSky will eventually support bookmarks, downloading videos, drafting posts, scheduling content, and other exclusive features.

What is Bluesky?

Bluesky is a happenin' place where all the cool people hang out. Haven't you heard? It's like X (formerly Twitter), except it's not a dumpster fire. Even Microsoft is on Bluesky now, though I'm pretty sure the Microsofties copied us since we were on Bluesky first (see our Starter Pack). While Bluesky works perfectly well on Windows 11 through a web browser, DarkSky provides an experience that looks more native on PCs. The app is in its early days, so the main focus is getting it to parity with Bluesky's web version, but in the future the app will have exclusive features.

Bluesky has been around for a while, but it's a massive influx of users and influencers of late. That migration from X and wave of new users created a demand for Bluesky clients. Last month, we covered Beeskie, which is another Bluesky client. That app is also in beta and rather basic right now, though it's built by a Microsoft software engineer, so we should see some innovation within the app.

To give you a gauge of how quickly Bluesky is growing, when we covered Beeskie on Nov. 18, Bluesky had 19 million users. Bluesky now sits at around 25 million users. Back in September, the service only had 7 million users. With big-name companies like Microsoft joining Bluesky and prominent people joining, it appears interest in Bluesky will continue to snowball. As it does, third-party clients will mature to fill specific niches within Bluesky.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has unveiled a new update in testing for the Store app on Windows 11 that allows it to update apps not hosted by Microsoft.
• "Provided and updated by" third-party apps will now appear in the general Microsoft Store updates list when you select "Get updates."
• Previously, only apps being hosted on Microsoft's store servers would be picked up by the Microsoft Store's update system.

Microsoft is introducing a handy change to the Microsoft Store that will allow it to update apps that aren't hosted on Microsoft's own store servers. Now in testing with Insiders across all channels, the Microsoft Store will now list app updates for apps that are "provided and updated" by the publisher or developer.

"Provided and updated" apps are apps that aren't hosted on Microsoft's store servers. These are apps that are listed in the Microsoft Store, but sourced from the app developers own servers. Previously, that meant the Microsoft Store wasn't able to pull in app updates for these particular apps, as updates were handled by the developer outside the store.

However, with this upcoming change, the Microsoft Store will now be able to pull in those app updates and list them alongside store-hosted apps. When you select "Get updates" in the Microsoft Store, both types of apps will now appear, but only the store-hosted apps will be automatically updated. Non-store hosted apps will have to manually be updated by the user.

Here's what Microsoft says about the upcoming changes:

"For Win32 apps that are “provided and updated” by their publishers, the Microsoft Store will now support updating directly in the Store. Previously, these apps could only be updated outside of the Microsoft Store. Insiders can head to the Downloads page and click Get Updates. If any installed apps of this type have updates, it’ll be displayed on the pending list. You can perform the update by clicking the update button; it won’t start automatically."

This is a great change, as it means the Microsoft Store is now a one-stop shop for all app updates on your system, as long as you acquired your apps from the Microsoft Store to begin with. This doesn't apply to apps you've downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store, of course.

Black Friday sales are in full swing, and quite frankly some of the Xbox deals specifically on consoles aren't that great, but you can play the gift card system a treat to squeeze out some extra discounts. Newegg has stepped up with a killer deal on Xbox gift cards. Right now, use the code BFDDY2A282 to snag a $100 Xbox gift card for just $88. That’s an instant $12 off your next splurge and you can stack them.

Don’t let the Xbox gaming logo fool you—these gift cards are pure Microsoft Store credit and can be used to top up your Microsoft balance and used on anything in the store. So whether you want a new game, controller or even one of the new Surface Black Friday offers, you can use this to squeeze out more savings.

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How to redeem my Xbox gift card

The code is delivered instantly via email, so there’s no waiting around for a physical card to arrive. Whether you’re treating yourself or planning to gift it, redeeming is simple.

To add the credit to your Microsoft Account, simply head over to https://redeem.microsoft.com/ sign in (it’s the same account you use for Xbox Live), and enter the code. Your balance updates instantly, ready to spend on whatever catches your eye.

Pro tip: When checking out on the Microsoft or Xbox Store, don’t forget to select your gift card balance as the payment option to make the most of those sweet savings!

LIVE: Xbox Black Friday deals on Series X|S consoles with discounts on Turtle Beach, Seagate, and more top-rated accessories

How can I spend my $100 Xbox gift card?

To get even more value from your card, check out what the Xbox store already has on sale and double up on the savings. From controllers and console wraps to a massive selection of games, there’s plenty on sale to pair with your discounted gift card. We also have a huge list of the Best Xbox Games if you want inspiration on a new title. However, if you've already got an Xbox Game Pass subscription you may just want to extend that rather than increase your ever-growing backlog.

The Xbox Store also stocks top-tier accessories from brands like Razer, SteelSeries, and Corsair, including some of the best Xbox headsets.

around. Not into gaming at all? No problem! Your Microsoft balance works across the entire Microsoft Store. Save on Surface laptops grab an Office 365 subscription or pick up early holiday gifts for someone else—if you’re feeling generous, that is. Just don’t wait too long; The last time Newegg ran a similar offer, it sold out in less than a day!

What you need to know

• Microsoft launched an Instant Games section of the Microsoft Store earlier this year.
• The experience allowed people to play games right away without having to download or install the games.
• Now, Microsoft has announced the end of Instant games in the Microsoft Store.
• The games will still be available through the Microsoft Store, but you will have to download and install them.

Windows 11's Microsoft Store just lost a feature that lets you play certain games instantly. Starting today, November 14, 2024, the Microsoft Store will no longer have an Arcade section. That removal comes alongside the end of Instant Games in the Microsoft Store, which lets you play roughly 70 games without having to download or install them.

"Starting from 14th November, 2024, Arcade will be removed from the Microsoft Store," explained Microsoft. "You can continue to download your games, but instant play will no longer be available."

The change was spotted by Windows Latest, who reported on the removal of Instant Games.

The Arcade section of the Microsoft Store allowed people to play roughly 70 games instantly without having to download or install them. All of the games were smaller titles, such as puzzle games or basic racing games.

Ironically, the Instant Games experience took a while to roll out to the Microsoft Store. Microsoft first announced it in September 2023 but did not ship it until several months later. Windows Latest noted that rollout of the Instant Games experience started in February 2024 but did not make it to everyone until later.

Now, less than one year after the experience became available, Instant Games are no longer instant. You can still play all the games that were once in the Arcade section of the Microsoft Store, but you'll have to download and install them first.

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What you need to know

• Several mobile games are now available for Windows Insiders, including PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and REDnote.
• Unfortunately, the games are only available for Insiders who are in China.
• Microsoft announced the end of Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 earlier this year, and the subsystem will be deprecated on March 5, 2025.

Windows 11 is only a few months away from losing its ability to run Android apps. Microsoft announced the end of Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 earlier this year, marking the end of Android apps and games in the Microsoft Store. There are some other options available, such as BlueStacks and other emulators, but the end of WSA is a blow to those who enjoy mobile gaming on PC. A lucky group of users won't have to worry about the death of WSA, however. Microsoft and Tencent have partnered to bring several mobile games to Windows 11 and the games are now available to Insiders in China.

"I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Tencent," said Microsoft General Manager of Apps Giorgio Sardo. "Windows Insiders in China can now head to the Microsoft Store and enjoy top mobile apps and games like PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, REDnote, Kuaishou and many more on their PCs, thanks to the integration with Tencent MyApp, a leading mobile marketplace. This collaboration opens up exciting growth opportunities for mobile developers in China to expand their reach and engagement on Windows."

Unfortunately for anyone outside of China, the partnership between Microsoft and Tencent will not keep Android apps and games on Windows 11. Windows Subsystem for Android is still set to be deprecated on March 5, 2025.

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Why did Microsoft kill Windows Subsystem for Android?

When Microsoft announced the death of Windows Subsystem for Android, the news came as a bit of a surprise. While Android apps on Windows 11 never really took off, Microsoft's plan to end WSA came abruptly.

The tech giant announced its plans to end support for Android apps on Windows 11 on March 5, 2024. Microsoft gave people a full year of notice, since WSA will not be deprecated until March 5, 2025. But despite that year of leeway, Amazon announced that the Amazon Appstore would no longer be available as of March 6, 2024, just a single day after Microsoft shared plans to end WSA.

We later found out why Microsoft ended Windows Subsystem for Android from a 29-year Microsoft veteran. The long story made short is that Microsoft did not make money through WSA.

"Store revenue pays the bills and salaries of the wsa team," explained Andrew Clinick, who worked for Microsoft for over 29 years. "WSL [accrues] to azure and vs so has a profit center. WSA without a store is awesome but doesn't help windows financially."

WSA did have the Amazon Appstore, but that store was lackluster compared to the Google Play Store. Clinick went as far to say that "when Google walk away the nails were in the coffin."

Without Google Play services, many Android apps did not work on Windows 11, even if you tried to sideload them. And even if they did work, making users install multiple stores and sideload apps is a terrible user experience.

Ultimately, WSA did not have a path to monetization, so it fell to the chopping block. It will be interesting to see if Tencent's partnership with Microsoft or similar partnerships ever make their way to markets other than China. I've reached out to Microsoft to see if the Tencent partnership will extend to other regions. I'll update this piece if more information becomes available.

What you need to know

• Windows Insiders can now test an updated version of the Microsoft Store.
• The improved Microsoft Store experience places trailers for apps and games near the top of a listing.
• You need to be on version 22409 or later of the Microsoft Store to see the new experience.
• At the moment, the new experience is limited to Insiders, but it should ship to everyone in the near future.

The Microsoft Store on Windows 11 has a new look in the works that will provide an "immersive experience" at the top of listings. Starting with version 22409 of the Microsoft Store, users will see trailers or hero images for apps or games. The new look is available in both light and dark mode. Right now, the experience is limited to Insiders, but Microsoft promises that "it will also start rolling out to non-Insiders soon." The update that added the improved Microsoft Store pages started shipping this week. Microsoft did not share when the improvements will roll out to non-Insiders.

"We’re introducing a new feature for product pages that adds an immersive experience to the top of the page. For apps and games that provide a trailer, you’ll be able to enjoy it as you navigate to their various pages," explained Microsoft. "Meanwhile, products without trailers will use beautiful hero images provided by the developers. There’s also an option in the Store settings page to toggle video autoplay on or off."

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Fixing the Microsoft Store on Windows 11

The Microsoft Store has received a lot of hate over the years, much of which was justified. The store shipped with a lackluster app selection, poor developer support, and struggled to convert people to thinking of the Microsoft Store as the default way to install and update applications.

The gaming experience through the Microsoft Store was even worse than the app experience at launch. Our Managing Editor Jez Corden said "the Windows 10 Store is an awful experience for core gamers, and it needs to change." That was back in 2018 and during the days of Windows 10. Microsoft has made several improvements since then for both apps and games.

The Microsoft Store is much faster than it used to be. It's also more reliable when it comes to downloading and updating content. Most importantly, the Microsoft Store is now full of apps and games. In contrast to the early days of the Microsoft Store that centered around third-party apps for many big-name services, you can now find official apps for popular programs. Microsoft has made it much easier to get apps into the store and pushed the Microsoft Store heavily for years, and it's paid off.

Honestly, it's a shame that many now ignore the Microsoft Store. The store earned a poor reputation in its early days, and I know many people who have never given in a second chance. But Windows 11 is used by hundreds of millions of people, so I'm sure there's a fair number who will use and appreciate the updated Microsoft Store.

What you need to know

• Windows 11 Build 27718 rolled out to Insiders in the Canary Channel recently.
• The update includes several changes and improvements, including an improved lock screen experience, new taskbar options, and updates to Narrator.
• Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels can also try an improved version of the Microsoft Store that features app categories.
• Microsoft is also rolling out an update to the Clock app that includes new widgets.

Microsoft has a few features and changes available for testing among Canary Channel Insiders. The tech giant shipped Windows 11 Build 22718 to Insiders recently, and it also rolled out an improved version of the Microsoft Store to Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels. Those in the Canary Channel can install the build through Windows Update or people can use the ISO for Build 27718.

Many of the changes seen in Windows 11 Build 27718 have appeared in other Insider builds over the last few months. For example, Microsoft has been testing first letter navigation in the taskbar for a while.

While not exclusive to Build 27718, an updated version of the Microsoft Store is also available to Insiders. Dev and Canary Channel Insiders running Windows 11 version 22409.xxxx.x will see a version of the Microsoft Store that features categories. Clicking on these will take you to a page full of apps within categories, such as productivity, entertainment, utilities, and music.

All Insiders, regardless of which channel they're in, will be able to test an updated Clock app that has two new widgets. The new widgets show a countdown or a timer, depending on which one you pin to your widgets board.

You can read through all the changes, fixes, and known issues with Windows 11 Build 27718 on Microsoft's blog or browse through what's new below.

Windows 11 Build 27718

General

• [REMINDER] Insider Preview Build Expiration: The expiration date for Insider Preview builds flighted to the Canary Channel has been updated to 9/15/2025 starting with Build 27695. Please make sure you are updated to the latest build in the Canary Channel.

Lock screen

• We have updated the Lock screen so that the media controls will now show at the lower bottom center of the Lock screen now when media is being played.

Start menu

• You can drag apps from the Pinned section of the menu and pin them to the taskbar.
• [ADDED] Based on feedback, we’ve made some updates to the new account manager on the Start menu making the sign out option directly visible, and adding a list of signed in users under “…” so it’s faster to switch accounts.

Taskbar & System Tray

• Updated the taskbar to now support first letter navigation, so when keyboard focus is set to the taskbar (WIN + T), you can press a letter, and it will jump to the open or pinned app whose name starts with that letter. Pressing the letter multiple times will jump to the subsequent app which starts with that letter, if there are multiple apps for that letter. For those using uncombined taskbar, rather than app name, the first letter navigation will use window name. Along with this, pressing Home and End will now move keyboard focus to the first and last (respectively) items in the taskbar.

Notifications

• If desired, there’s now an option to turn off the suggestions to disable notifications from certain apps. You can now press the “…” within the notification to disable the notification, as you can with other notifications, or you can go to the list of notification senders in Settings > System > Notifications and turn it off from there (called “Notification Suggestions” in the list). Note – this entry will only appear in the senders list after you have received one.

Windows Share

• We’re rolling out some minor UI changes to simplify the Windows share window which removes the search box.

Narrator

• We have made several changes to improve the performance of Narrator scan mode. This is expected to make scan mode responses much quicker, especially while using Microsoft Edge, and reading through large documents. To try out scan mode, turn on Narrator first (Win key + Ctrl + Enter), and then turn scan mode ON by pressing Caps Lock + Spacebar during a Narrator session.

Energy Saver

• For laptops on battery, a notification will pop up asking you to plug in your laptop if the battery level reaches 20% while Energy Saver is set to “Always On”.

Windows Update

• We’ve made some small design improvements to the dialog that opens if there’s something that needs your attention before proceeding with a Windows update, for example if more space is needed or there’s a compatibility issue. This includes updating the icon sizes and spacing.

Input

• We have updated Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch to have a new section for touch screen edge gestures, where you can choose if you would like to disable the left or right screen edge touch gesture. Note, this feature is rolling out so not all Insiders in the Canary Channel will see it right away.

Administrator protection

• Administrator protection is an upcoming platform security feature in Windows 11, which aims to protect free floating admin rights for administrator users allowing them to still perform all admin functions with just-in-time admin privileges. This feature is off by default and needs to be enabled via group policy. We plan to share more details about this feature at Microsoft Ignite.

What you need to know

• Governor of the State of California, Gavin Newsom, has signed in to a law legislation that will force digital stores to finally be up front and honest about exactly what it is you're buying. 
• Digital content, including games, video content, music, and e-books, will have to be sold with a disclaimer that you're not buying the product, merely a digital license to use it. 
• The law comes into effect next year, and will be applicable in every instance that doesn't offer a full offline download and keep option for the product. 

It's nice when the politicians of the world do something genuinely of benefit to the masses, and that's exactly the case in California right now. As reported by The Verge, the Governor, Gavin Newsom, has signed in to law new legislation that will force digital stores to be honest about exactly what it is that you're buying. 

Specifically, that you aren't buying the content and you don't own it. At least, not unless a permanent, offline-enabled copy of said content is made available. In that case, the new law won't apply. 

For everyone else, it will. Storefronts like Steam, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and yes, the Microsoft Store, will all be required to adhere to the new law lest they open themselves up to be fined. 

A summary of the bill reads as such: 

"This bill would, subject to specified exceptions, additionally prohibit a seller of a digital good from advertising or offering for sale a digital good, as defined, to a purchaser with the terms buy, purchase, or any other term which a reasonable person would understand to confer an unrestricted ownership interest in the digital good, or alongside an option for a time-limited rental, unless the seller receives at the time of each transaction an affirmative acknowledgment from the purchaser, or the seller provides to the consumer before executing each transaction a clear and conspicuous statement, as specified."

In simpler speak, it basically means that these stores will not be able to tell you that you're buying something, without explaining exactly what you're buying. If that's merely a digital license to play a game, then so be it. The point is that, finally, the average consumer should be more informed over what it is they're getting. 

The rest of the world should follow suit

The digitalization of content has brought with it convenience, but also a lack of ownership. Both Sony and Ubisoft have made headlines in recent times in this vein. The former had to reverse a decision to remove digital video content from its customer's libraries, content they had paid for 'ownership' of. Ubisoft, meanwhile, killed The Crew stone dead by turning off the servers and not providing an offline mode for people to keep playing. 

While California's new law won't stop things like this from happening, it should at least help the consumers be more informed over what they're actually getting from these companies. If it means fewer game sales because folks start to become more cautious over handing their hard-earned without a guarantee of how long they'll be able to enjoy it, so be it. I'd argue, as in the case of The Crew, it is completely unacceptable for any game with a single-player component to have no offline access at all. Ubisoft at least seems to have learned a lesson there and will be adding offline modes to the later games in the series. 

I want rules like this to be wider spread. Consumers deserve to be well-informed. When you subscribe to Netflix, or Xbox Game Pass, you're very aware you're just borrowing content. But when you hit a buy button, wouldn't it be nice to know whether you actually are buying it? 

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What you need to know

• Nominations for the 2024 Microsoft Store App Awards opened recently.
• Microsoft has asked people to nominate apps regardless of if you're a developer or just a fan.
• Nominations will remain open until September 15, 2024 and then winners will be announced in October.
• To qualify, apps must be in the Microsoft Store and not owned by Microsoft employees.

Microsoft is on the hunt for the best apps in the Microsoft Store. The tech giant opened nominations for its 2024 Microsoft Store App Awards recently, and the nomination window will remain open until Sunday, September 15, 2024. After reviewing the entries, Microsoft will then announce winners in October.

The tech giant encouraged everyone to get involved in the nomination process, including developers who want to nominate their own apps.

"Whether you’re a developer or a fan of a fantastic app, we invite you to submit your nomination," said Microsoft. "If you don’t have your app on Microsoft Store yet, it’s not too late! Publish your app by Sept. 15, 2024, and participate in the awards to compete for incredible prizes, like Surface Pro Limited Edition Copilot+ PCs."

You can nominate an app through a Microsoft Form shared by the tech giant.

Microsoft outlined the requirements for entry and what winners will receive in a blog post:

"Evaluation criteria: Apps will be judged on User Experience, Innovation, Uniqueness, and Integration with the latest hardware and technologies.  

Eligibility: To qualify, apps must be publicly listed in the Microsoft Store and cannot be owned by Microsoft employees. 

Open nominations: We encourage everyone to participate in the nomination process. Whether you’re a developer, or a fan of a fantastic app, your voice matters. It’s an opportunity open for all to shine and be recognized for their contributions to the Windows ecosystem. Our editors will also bring in some hidden gems they discover to the process. 

Rising Star recognition: We’re introducing a special category for new developers who publish their app during the awards nomination period. Don’t forget to fill in the nomination form after publishing your app to participate. 

Exciting rewards for winners: In addition to the prestige of being recognized as a leader in Windows PC app development, winners will receive extraordinary rewards. We will be giving away Surface Pro Limited Edition Copilot+ PCs to our winners, providing them with the latest in cutting-edge technology to continue their development journey. Winners will also receive an exclusive badge on their product page for one year and likely be featured on the Microsoft Store homepage."

Last year, Mozilla Firefox won the Productivity category and WhatsApp won the award for the best integration with Windows. But it wasn't just large companies that received recognition. Ava Accessibility won a Special Recognition Award for its efforts to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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What you need to know

• Microsoft is testing out an updated library experience that makes it easier to find apps through the Microsoft Store.
• The Microsoft Store also has a new page for updates and downloads, as well as an experimental feature that shows limited time events in a dedicated section.
• Microsoft also updated the badge for its store that appears on websites using the Microsoft Store badge.
• Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channel can test the new features now.

Windows Insiders running the latest builds from the Dev and Canary Channels can test an improved Microsoft Store experience as well. Microsoft announced several changes to the Microsoft Store earlier this week, all of which are available to those running Windows 11 version 22407.xxxx.x and higher.

The latest version of the Microsoft Store includes an updated library experience, a new page for updates and downloads, support for limited time events, and an updated Microsoft Store badge.

The default filter within the library page has been changed to show all the apps you own rather than just the ones you have installed. Release notes also appear within that section of the store. A new search bar makes it easier to find the name or publisher of an app.

The updates and downloads section of the Microsoft Store now shows a list of active downloads and pending updates along the top. It also shows recent updates to help you ensure you have the correct versions of your apps.

Microsoft is only experimenting with limited time events in the Microsoft Store. The feature shows programs with in-app events in a dedicated section of the store.

The improvements to the Microsoft Store are rolling out gradually to those running Dev and Canary builds of Windows 11. You may not see the changes right away. Below are the highlights, as shared by Microsoft.

Microsoft Store update: August 2024

An updated library experience

In this update, we are introducing changes to the library page. First, we have improved the default filters to show all the products you own, not just products that are installed (you can still toggle this filter if you wish). Next, we’ve added a search bar that will help you find the name or the publisher of products you’re looking for. Combined with the first change, this new experience is powerful: you can easily find any app and game you’ve ever acquired with your Microsoft account.

A new page for updates and downloads

We are also moving the list of updates and downloads from the top section of the library to its own dedicated page. This new page displays your list of active downloads or pending updates, and it shows the list of recent installs or updates. Version notes will also be displayed for a pending update or active download.

Limited time events

We are experimenting with a new section on the Games page in some regions that will showcase select partners with in-app events. We have partnered with game publishers to highlight real events that will be occurring during the test period.

The updated Microsoft Store badge is here!

We’ve refreshed the design of the Microsoft Store badge with a more refined call-to-action to give users more confidence to acquire your app.

The Xbox 360 is a legendary video games console that for many represented a "golden era" of gaming, and even now, there are still plenty of gamers that use and love their Xbox 360. Unfortunately, all things must eventually come to an end, and the Xbox 360 is seeing its demise nearly 19 years after its initial announcement. The Xbox 360 Marketplace, the one-stop shop for all Xbox 360 digital games, is permanently closing its doors.

It's not all doom and gloom for Xbox 360 owners or even Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S console players, especially when it comes to your current libraries or online play, but there's still a lot being lost with the shuttering of the Xbox 360 store. It's a heavy blow to games preservation, especially without the Xbox backward compatibility program. We've compiled the most-asked questions and are delivering all the answers and information you need in one place, so keep scrolling for everything you should know about the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutdown.

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• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• HP Victus 15.6 Gaming Laptop (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $82.85 at Amazon
• Samsung Class QE1C QLED TV (85-inch) | was $2,799.99 now $1,229.99 at Samsung
• Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $50.99 at Best Buy
• Surface Laptop Go 3 (Core i5) | was $799.99 now $549.99 at Best Buy
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• Geekom A8 Mini PC (Ryzen 9) | was $1,099.99 now $699.99 at Geekom w/ code WINDA8OFF
• No Man's Sky | was $59.99 now $19.49 at CDKeys (PC, Steam)

What is the Xbox 360 Marketplace?

Best answer — The Xbox 360 Marketplace is where Xbox 360 players can buy Xbox 360 games, DLC, and other digital-only content either from their Xbox 360 console or online.

The Xbox 360 Marketplace signalled the beginning of a new era of digital gaming alongside the PlayStation 3, giving players unprecedented access to a massive and growing roster of console games that didn't require a disk to run. It's a digital store available exclusively on Xbox 360 consoles or online at Marketplace.Xbox.com, and is the only place to go if you want to purchase Xbox 360 games, DLC and other add-ons for those games, and other digital items like Xbox 360 Avatar items.

Nowadays, there are many Xbox 360 and even original Xbox games that are available to purchase in the Microsoft Store on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S thanks to the Xbox backward compatibility program, but there are many more games that are still exclusive to the Xbox 360 Marketplace and are set to disappear forever (especially the games that don't have a physical alternative you might be able to find in second-hand marketplaces).

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Is the Xbox 360 store closing down?

Best answer — Yes, the Xbox 360 Marketplace (both on Xbox 360 consoles and online) is officially and permanently shutting down after nearly 19 years of operation.

The Xbox 360 Marketplace was introduced alongside the launch of the Xbox 360 all the way back in Nov. 2005, and since then has been the best place for gamers to buy all things Xbox 360. Nearly 19 years later, though, and Microsoft is officially (and permanently) closing down the Xbox 360 Marketplace. Xbox 360 consoles will remain functional, and players will still be able to access their libraries and online content.

This does not in any way affect the Microsoft Store on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, including the backward compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games available for purchase on that storefront.

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When does the Xbox 360 Marketplace shut down?

Best answer — The Xbox 360 Marketplace is properly shutting down on July 29, 2024, so players have until then to purchase the games they wish to add to their library and take advantage of last-minute sales.

The point of no return for the Xbox 360 Marketplace is July 29, 2024, after which the legendary digital store will be completely and totally closed down. Microsoft is letting Xbox 360 users purchase the digital games, DLC, and other content they want all the way until the end, and is running store-wide discounts on many of the Xbox 360 video games.

Again, this only affects the Xbox 360 Marketplace and not the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Store, Xbox 360 online servers, or personal digital libraries.

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Are the Xbox 360 online servers shutting down?

Best answer — No, online servers for Xbox 360 games are not being affected by the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutdown. Active Xbox 360 multiplayer games and online features will continue to function.

The Xbox 360 Marketplace may be closing its doors, but the store shutdown is mostly limited to just the digital store. While many Xbox 360 multiplayer games are closing down their online servers, like classic Halo and Battlefield titles, this is not related to the Xbox 360 store closure. Any Xbox 360 games with online elements and active servers will continue to function after the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutdown.

This also includes most Xbox 360 online features, too. Your Xbox 360 console will not go offline or become disconnected from the Xbox Network (previously known as Xbox Live). You'll also still be able to download all your digital games from your library as long as you own them.

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Will Movies & TV be available on Xbox 360?

Best answer — Unfortunately, Microsoft Movies & TV is also completely closing down on Xbox 360, although all your purchases will still be available on Windows PCs, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

One Xbox 360 feature that will be going the way of the dinosaurs alongside the Xbox 360 Marketplace is access to Microsoft Movies & TV. The digital streaming app will no longer function on Xbox 360 following the store closure, and users will be unable to access their libraries. However, it's not as if your collection of movies and TV shows are disappearing.

Movies & TV users will still be able to access their entire libraries on Windows PCs, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S via the modern Movies & TV application. Additionally, users will be able to access supported movies and TV shows via the Movies Anywhere program, which syncs Microsoft Movies & TV libraries with other platforms like Vudu.

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Will my Xbox 360 games still work?

Best answer — Yes, the Xbox 360 games, DLC, and add-ons you have purchased will continue to work after the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutdown. Physical games will also work without issue.

There's understandable concern that the closure of the Xbox 360 digital storefront also means players will be unable to download their digital Xbox 360 libraries and access their games, but this isn't the case. Purchased content will continue to be available following the marketplace shutdown, including all Xbox 360 games, DLC, and other add-ons.

This also applies to physical Xbox 360 games, which will continue to function, as well as backward compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Microsoft isn't taking away your personal libraries, and is in fact encouraging Xbox 360 owners to take advantage of the last-minute clearance sale to buy the Xbox 360 games they want to keep forever before the Xbox 360 Marketplace closes.

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Will backward compatible Xbox 360 games work?

Best answer — Yes, backward compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games will still work on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and will continue to be available for purchase.

Fret not, the Xbox 360 and original Xbox games that were added to the Xbox backward compatibility program before it ceased aren't going anywhere. All these games will not only continue to be fully functional on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (including extra features like Auto HDR, FPS Boost, and improved performance on the current-gen consoles), but will also be readily available via the Microsoft Store on newer Xbox platforms.

There are many Xbox 360 games already available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S through this program, and these will not be affected by the Xbox 360 Marketplace (although they will not be available to purchase on Xbox 360, obviously). Sadly, there's no sign that the Xbox backward compatibility program is making a return, meaning the plethora of Xbox 360 games that are still exclusive to the aging console will disappear once the Xbox 360 Marketplace shuts down.

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Where can I buy Xbox 360 digital games?

Best answer — Users are still free to purchase Xbox 360 games, DLC, and add-ons through the Xbox 360 Marketplace up until the moment of its closure, with many of those games being on sale.

Until the Xbox 360 Marketplace closes down, users are free to scoop up any of the digital Xbox 360 games, DLC, and add-ons they wish to add to their personal libraries and keep forever. It also helps that Microsoft has heavily discounted the majority of the Xbox 360 library, making it easier for users to flesh out their libraries before these games become unavailable to purchase.

You don't have to own a functional Xbox 360 console, either. Users can peruse and purchase games from the Xbox 360 Marketplace at Marketplace.Xbox.com. Again, though, backward compatible Xbox 360 content will continue to be available on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S following the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutdown. If you'd rather feed your Xbox 360 nostalgia in a more physical sense, you can search second-hand marketplaces for physical Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft is also selling an Xbox 360 Heritage Collection of nostalgic merch and accessories via the Xbox Gear Shop. If you're on Xbox Series X|S, you can also use the Xbox 360 "Blades" Dynamic Background for a little nostalgia on your modern Xbox.

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Are Xbox 360 games on sale right now?

Best answer — Yes, many Xbox 360 games and other digital content is heavily discounted on the Xbox 360 Marketplace until it shuts down.

It may feel a little like a consolation prize, but it's still better than nothing. To ease the pain of the Xbox 360 Marketplace shutting down, Microsoft is heavily discounting almost the entire available library so that users can add their favorite games and add-ons to their Xbox 360 libraries before the store closes, and they're no longer available to purchase.

Microsoft curated a list of discounted Xbox 360 games at Xbox Wire, but you can also head to Marketplace.Xbox.com to search the storefront yourself. Don't hesitate too long, though, as time is rapidly running out to take advantage of this storewide sale and preserve your favorite Xbox 360 titles. Of course, physical Xbox 360 games will also continue to be available at secondhand stores, which is another option to pick up awesome classics for a great price.

Once you've purchased all the Xbox 360 games you want, they'll continue to be available via your Xbox 360 library indefinitely. Any games that are backward compatible across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S will also work on those consoles, although those games will still be available to purchase via the modern Microsoft Store, too (and aren't as likely to be discounted right now because of that).

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What you need to know

• Microsoft shipped Windows 11 Build 22635.3936 to Insiders in the Beta Channel recently.
• The update tests a new design for the "Open with" dialog.
• Insiders running the latest version of the Microsoft Store will also see a new flyout that appears when searching for apps in the store.
• Many debate if suggestions such as the one seen in the flyout are ads, useful suggestions, or a mixture of the two.

Microsoft rolled out Windows 11 Build 22635.3936 to Insiders in the Beta Channel this week. The biggest change that appears within the latest Insider build of Windows 11 isn't a Windows 11 feature at all. Instead, it's a new feature within the Microsoft Store. The full changes seen in the build are listed below, but they're relatively minor, so I'll focus on the Microsoft Store change.

Starting with version 22406.xxxx.x of the Microsoft Store, you'll see a new flyout that shows suggested apps. The Microsoft Store already displays suggestions based on the app you search for, but the flyout adds another section for content. Microsoft did not specify if the apps that appear within the flyout appear organically or as a result of paid advertising.

"When you’re searching for content in the Store Search box, a new flyout at the bottom of the search display suggests content you may be interested in," explained Microsoft.

Ads in Windows 11

Microsoft has a growing number of "suggestions" within Windows 11. Many consider these types of prompts to be advertisements, including myself, but there is debate on the topic. The Start menu already had apps pinned after a fresh install when Microsoft decided to start showing suggested apps in the Recommended section of the menu. The tech giant also added a prompt suggesting people sign up for Game Pass that lives within the Windows 11 Settings app. The operating system has several prompts that pop up suggesting you sign up for OneDrive or other Microsoft services.

In addition to suggestions within Windows 11, Microsoft's built-in apps on the operating system are starting to show more ads. Microsoft redesigned its Weather app to show more ads. The Microsoft Store now shows suggested content in a new flyout that's in testing among Insiders.

The increased number of ads within Windows 11 has led users to look for bloat-free solutions or third-party apps that replace the Start menu.

Do you view suggestions like the ones seen in the Microsoft Store's search flyout as advertisements? Let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear suggestions on the direction you think Microsoft should take Windows 11.

Windows 11 Build 22635.3936: Changes and improvements

General

• We are trying out updated designs for the “Open with” dialog where the group headers are removed, among a few other changes.

Taskbar & System Tray

• We have temporarily disabled the more simplified system tray with shortened date/time change that began rolling out with Build 22635.3930 to address several issues. We will begin re-enabling this on a future flight. If you saw this change previously, it will likely disappear after updating to this build today.

There are several known issues with the build, which is normal for updates shipped to Windows Insiders. Microsoft lists all the known issues in its blog post about the update.

What you need to know

• NVIDIA GeForce Now is one of the best cloud gaming platforms in the world, letting you play thousands of PC games on any device.
• For a limited time, all NVIDIA GeForce Now memberships are half off, making this the perfect opportunity to try the service for yourself.
• It's good timing, too, as GeForce Now is also officially integrated into the Xbox Store in addition to supporting PC Game Pass.
• Well... It's kind of integrated. Selecting "Play with cloud gaming" on supported titles gives you a link that brings you to the GeForce Now website.

Many people may think of Xbox Cloud Gaming first when it comes to streaming their favorite games to any device, but one of the best services in the category is actually NVIDIA GeForce Now. Competitive pricing, a massive library of supported games, and best-in-class visual fidelity and bitrate performance means that, in many ways, GeForce Now is a more appealing cloud gaming platform than Xbox's in-house solution. Now, NVIDIA and Xbox have both made GeForce Now even more attractive.

NVIDIA's summer sale is slicing the price of all GeForce Now monthly and bi-annual subscriptions in half. That means, at least for a limited time, you can hop on the cloud gaming train from $4.99 a month at NVIDIA. Well, there's actually still the free, ad-supported trial tier, but half off zero is still zero.

In addition to the sale, Xbox has integrated NVIDIA GeForce Now into the Microsoft Store, making it more seamless for Xbox players to stream their favorite Xbox and PC games with NVIDIA. On second thought, "seamless" may not be quite the right word.

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• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• HP Victus 15.6 Gaming Laptop (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $82.85 at Amazon
• Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse | was $149.99 now $89.65 at Amazon
• Samsung Class QE1C QLED TV (85-inch) | was $2,799.99 now $1,229.99 at Samsung
• Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $50.99 at Best Buy
• Surface Laptop Go 3 (Core i5) | was $799.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $49.99 at Best Buy

I don't need to spend much time selling NVIDIA GeForce Now to you, because the service speaks for itself. It's a simple proposition: play the games you own, but do so via high-end NVIDIA-powered PCs over the cloud. The resolution, framerate, visual fidelity, bitrate performance, and latency of GeForce Now is class-leading in every respect compared to competing cloud gaming services, especially Xbox Cloud Gaming.

NVIDIA GeForce Now already secured PC Game Pass integration nearly a year ago, but visibility for the integration has still been poor. Recently, Xbox and NVIDIA took an important (but minor step) toward better integration: adding GeForce Now to the Microsoft Store. "Integration" may be pushing it, however, given what's actually going on here.

If you head to the online Xbox Store (not the Microsoft Store apps on Xbox or Windows PC, or the Xbox PC app), and find supported PC Game Pass titles while signed in with your subscribed Microsoft Account, you'll see the "Play with cloud gaming" button with an "Available with 2 services" subtitle. Click that button, and Xbox will let you choose between the fully integrated Xbox Cloud Gaming... and a link to the NVIDIA GeForce Now website.

It's better integration than before solely due to the added visibility (many PC Game Pass subscribers may not know they can stream many of those games through GeForce Now), but it's a far cry from actual, complete integration into the Xbox ecosystem. Still, I'll take it.

Our own Jez Corden has analyzed in-depth what may be next for Xbox Game Pass, which may include major improvements to Xbox Cloud Gaming, but for now this is what we're left with. I can't complain too much, though, considering how good NVIDIA GeForce Now is as a cloud gaming service. The aforementioned Jez Corden recently played World of Warcraft via GeForce Now on hotel Wi-Fi and came away believing it must be operated on black magic, and that's a sentiment shared by many who have experienced the physics-defying performance and visual fidelity of GeForce Now.

Hopefully, we'll see Xbox Cloud Gaming take some major steps of its own and NVIDIA GeForce Now be even more deeply integrated into the Xbox ecosystem, like actually being able to stream from GeForce Now directly from the Microsoft Store or Xbox consoles, similarly to Xbox Cloud Gaming. We can have both, and I'm excited for the possibility. In the meantime, you can invest in GeForce Now yourself from just $4.99/month at NVIDIA with the ongoing GeForce Now summer sale.

What you need to know

• The Microsoft Store will soon feature a search box in its Library section.
• The Library section of the Microsoft Store shows your installed apps and any application you've installed on a device connected to your Microsoft account
• The search box is part of a gradual rollout among Insiders, so it may be a while before it becomes generally available.

Microsoft has a new feature in the works that will make it easier to find your favorite apps on Windows 11. The tech giant is testing a search box within the Library section of the Microsoft Store, allowing you to search for specific apps that you have installed on your PC or that you've installed previously on any device connected to your Microsoft account. The feature should simplify the process of finding apps you've used in the past and checking for updates for specific apps.

The change was spotted by Phantomofearth on X. That post clarifies that the search box can appear in Windows 11 version 22406.1401.1.0 or later. The change appears to be part of a gradual rollout, so you may not see the search box even if you are running the latest Insider build of Windows 11.

The search box is a welcome addition, albeit it a confusing one due to it only entering testing in 2024. 

Better late than never

The Microsoft Store's lack of a search box for your app Library has always been a strange omission. The Library section of the Microsoft Store shows all of your installed apps as well as any apps you've installed previously on any device connected to your Microsoft account. It seems likely that the Library would consist of the app's you're most interested in, considering you were intrigued enough at some point to install the app on a PC.

When I set up a new PC, I often search for my favorite apps I've used on other PCs. I wouldn't want to simply sync all of my app installations across devices, since my workflow changes from PC to PC. For example, I wouldn't install a video editor on a lightweight tablet I never use with a keyboard and mouse. The new search box should make it easier to find apps without having to sift through the entire Microsoft Store's catalogue of applications.

The Library section of the Microsoft Store also allows you to access apps that are no longer searchable in the store but that you installed previously. For example, I can still install Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile through my Library in the Microsoft Store. You can't find those apps by searching through the Microsoft Store in 2024.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is working on a new way to install apps through apps.microsoft.com.
• The new experience reduces the number of clicks required to install an app.
• The change also creates a standalone installer for each application you install through apps.microsoft.com.
• Some developers have complained about the change online, though some frustration was expressed before the change was fully documented.

Microsoft Store installers for web are here to streamline the app installation experience online. The new setup allows you to install applications from apps.microsoft.com with fewer clicks than before. Rudy Huyn, Principal Lead Architect of the Microsoft Store, explained what Microsoft changed to improve how apps are installed.

"We built an undocked version of the Store using the same logic and code as the larger app, managing prerequisites, entitlements, downloads, and installations in the same way. However, this time, it was packaged in a much smaller and undocked executable," said Huyn.

Previously, installing an app through apps.microsoft.com required clicking a second button which used deep links functionality to launch the Microsoft Store. The new setup forgoes deep links and instead extracts code needed to install the app in the form of a standalone installer.

Huyn listed several benefits of the new method of installing Microsoft Store applications:

• Only two clicks needed.
• A lightweight installer launching much faster than the Store.
• Always up-to-date and includes the latest features and supports all products, even if the Store app has not been updated for months. - Always works, even if the Store was removed.
• Supports multi-installations in parallel.

Feedback has been positive, according to Huyn. The Principal Lead Architect of the Microsoft Store said the change has resulted in a 12% increase in installations and a 54% increase in the number of applications launched after installation. Based on that feedback, Microsoft decided to expand the experiment to more markets.

A bit of controversy

While Huyn cited positive feedback from those who tested the feature, there are those with questions about the new experience. Several developers and X users took to the web to ask Huyn about the new method of app installation.

"Is there some way to opt out of this? One of the biggest advantages of having the "Get it From Microsoft" badge was sending users directly to the ms store, rather than having them download an exe. It may be one less click but it lowers the level of trust imo," said X user AnxiousBoi.

Huyn clarified that developers can choose how their badge in the online Microsoft Store behaves.

I understand Microsoft's reasoning for the change, but I think the end result is worse than the previous experience. Launching a mini version of the Microsoft Store allowed you to install apps through an experience that felt like an extension of the Microsoft Store. The new experience creates a separate installer for every application you install through apps.microsoft.com.

I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things, but having an EXE file appear in my downloads folder when installing an app feels like a step backward, not forward.

Before Microsoft documented the change, engineer Rafael Rivera expressed concern about changes to app installation through the web.

"The Microsoft Store team has started quietly wrapping apps, like EarTrumpet, with some malware-looking .NET executable wrapper (with my app's name of course) chock full of telemetry and other code. They also target netfx 4.7.2 when my app targets netfx 4.6.2, wtf?," said Rivera.

Sergio Pedri, Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, clarified that the new experience is not an "executable wrapper," but that it's the new Store installer. Pedri added that the change should result in more people downloading and installing applications.

What you need to know

• The Microsoft Store recently received an update to version 22403 that increases performance dramatically in several areas.
• A splash screen now only appears rarely, letting you jump straight into the Microsoft Store in most cases.
• The buy button now appears roughly 1.5 times faster and product pages now load 40% faster on average.
• Version 22403 of the Microsoft Store has been in testing among Insiders for a few weeks but is now generally available.

The Microsoft Store now has better performance and shorter loading times, thanks to a recent update. The update brings the Microsoft Store to version 22403 and it is now generally available.

We've known about these changes for a while. Despite Microsoft not sharing a full change log for the Microsoft Store, several employees from the company detailed the most significant changes that come as part of the update. Rudy Huyn, Principal Lead Architect of the Microsoft Store, was among those who shared details on X.

At the time, Huyn and other Microsoft Store employees were detailing changes in testing among Insiders. Those same changes are now generally available, as noted by Huyn.

You can update the Microsoft Store by searching for updates within the Microsoft Store.

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Select Library.
3. Click Get updates.

App updates will then roll in and the Microsoft Store will restart itself.

Seems faster

We used to joke about how an update would make an app or Windows "seem faster," alluding to a lack of known changes. But in this case, the Microsoft Store actually is faster; quite a bit faster in fact. According to Huyn, product pages now load 40% quicker on average when using the new version of the Microsoft Store. The buy button appears after a shorter wait as well due to changes related to how the store handles entitlement and licensing.

In most situations, you won't even see a splash screen when opening the Microsoft Store. In my experience the splash screen goes away after a second or two, but it's nice to jump straight into an app and I'll be happy to see the change. Little improvements add up quickly, especially when it comes to user interface loading times and app's responding.

The Microsoft Store was once laughably bad. Microsoft has worked steadily over the years to improve it. Some of the improvements have been features that should have been there from day one, like not prioritizing apps you already have installed, but better late than never.

RELATED: Here's the story behind the Microsoft Store for Windows 11

Compared to its original form, the Microsoft Store hardly seems like the same concept that shipped with Windows 8. While there are still quality third-party apps in the Microsoft Store, they are no longer the only way to access popular services. Discord, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, iTunes, Adobe Acrobat, CorelDRAW, Canva, TikTok, PlutoTV, Paramount+, SlingTV, and Reddit all have official apps.

Beyond just getting apps in the Microsoft Store, companies and developers are embracing pushes by Microsoft, such as Windows 11 on Arm getting ready for Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor.

What you need to know

• The Dropbox beta app for Windows is now available in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.
• It ships with a new experience that lets users access their saved files directly from the File Explorer or Taskbar. 
• It ships with support for x86, x64, and Arm64.

Dropbox recently launched a new beta version of its app for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users, accessible directly from the Microsoft Store. The app provides users with a secure place to save and access files from any device. It even allows you to share files with anyone.

The Dropbox folder for desktop ships with many capabilities, including faster uploads and easy access to all your stored files directly from your desktop. You can interact with the app and access your files directly from the File Explorer or Taskbar. You can also check the upload status of your files and recent activity by clicking on the Dropbox icon on the Taskbar.

Additionally, it'll hard drive space on your PC since it allows you to move locally stored files to online-only in Dropbox. Lastly, you can right-click your file while using the app to sign it, send it for signature, see version history, and more directly from your desktop. 

The new Dropbox beat app ships with many neat features

The app ships with support for the following features:

• Work with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Find files with content suggestions
• Add folder descriptions and to-dos
• Access work from any device

It's worth noting that there are two Dropbox apps in the Microsoft Store right now. More importantly, the Dropbox team says you can't use both apps simultaneously. You must uninstall one.

To access the new Dropbox beta app, you must run Windows 10 version 19044.0 or higher. It also supports x86, x64, and Arm64, making it a great fit for Qualcomm's much-anticipated Snapdragon X Elite processor. 

What you need to know

• Microsoft finally shipped the PC Manager app to broad availability after being submitted to the Microsoft Store two years ago.  
• The app lets users optimize the performance of their Windows PC by performing a health check, managing storage, and more.
• It also features a Toolbox that lets you conveniently access essential tools on your PC like the recorder, Bing translator, currency converter, calculator, and screenshots.

Do you remember the PC Manager app for Windows? The app Microsoft had been working on for months was designed to help users optimize the performance of their PCs by performing a health check, managing storage, and more. Well, it's finally shipped to general availability and can now be downloaded directly from the Microsoft Store.

It was previously in public beta and only available to users in select regions. But now, after two years, it's finally available for everyone, according to a spot by Windows Latest. The application was submitted to the Microsoft Store in 2022, though the listing was hidden.

Microsoft describes it as a "desktop security tool aimed at global users" that "integrates Windows antivirus engine, comprehensively building a computer protection system" in the Microsoft Store. 

A quick first look at Microsoft PC Manager for Windows

The download and installation process is pretty simple — it took me less than two minutes to get it running on my PC. As the name suggests, the app provides you with a central and convenient location where you can "manage" and optimize the performance of your PC. 

It's essentially the Settings app on Windows 11 with a few new quirks. However, it may be pretty handy, especially for casual users who may not necessarily know how to navigate through these settings to optimize the performance of their devices. 

For instance, users can easily change their default browser on Windows 11 directly from the app. We all know Microsoft doesn't necessarily make this a walk in the park; even Mozilla says it does play fair. 

I also find the Toolbox section quite helpful. It presents "handy" tools like the recorder, Bing translator, currency converter, calculator, and screenshots in one convenient location.

Microsoft PC Manager for Windows also allows you to run a deep scan on your PC and provides an easy way to manage large files. It even provides a quick way for users to discover new Windows apps in the Microsoft Store (yay developers). It currently has a 4.5-star rating on the Microsoft Store.

I'll continue using the app and see how it compares with the previous measures I used to manage my device's performance. I'll keep you posted. 

MORE RESOURCES

• How to optimize Windows 10 for PC gaming performance
• How to change virtual memory size on Windows 10
• How to change power modes for performance or battery on Windows 11

What you need to know

• The Windows 11 September 2023 update featured an Instant Games experience that allows users to play games directly from the Microsoft Store.
• There now seem to be more users accessing the Instant Games experience as users report getting an update today including the features.
• The Store features 69 free-to-play instant-access games reminiscent of the great Angry Birds and Newgrounds days. 

We first covered this update back in September, and in the update, there was a new feature added to Windows that enabled instant-access games to the Microsoft Store. The games are free to play and obviously not the highest quality, but it reminds me of old Flash games or Facebook games that people used to play in their browsers all the time.

I tried out a few of the games and while they are fun, the biggest issue Microsoft has with these games is that nobody knows they exist. I could see a casual audience playing these games if they were more front-and-center and easier to play. At least they're free and don't require any download.

Are Microsoft's instant free games any good?

When the instant games feature first hit preview back in September, Microsoft explained the feature in a blog post.

There are a lot of users that might have already had access to these games. However, some users have reported online that the update seems to be rolling out to more users as they have noticed the new collection available in the Windows PC storefront today. I counted how many games are currently available and there are 69 available in a lot of different genres. 

Will Microsoft's Instant Games move the needle at all?

Honestly, with the success of games like Candy Crush, which Microsoft just acquired through its purchase of King as part of the Activision Blizzard King buyout, there is clearly a market for these smaller mobile-type games. This type of delivery mechanism could work great for Microsoft, especially if they can get King games added to the service as free, instant no-download games. 

The other issue Microsoft has here though is how few people are going to the Microsoft Store trying to kill time. Microsoft would have much better success pushing these types of experiences out to higher-traffic areas of their commercial offerings. I think they would be a great addition to Microsoft Teams as a way to kill time in an enterprise setting for workers. Sure, employers might not like the idea, but Teams already has a Games tab available, and this could add to that.

In the current state, I doubt that many people will be taking advantage of these free games, but I think there could be a day when Microsoft has more integration with casual users, potentially through their Copilot efforts, which could lead to a world where there is a big user desire for on-demand small games like these.

They could even integrate these into Copilot to play on the side while waiting for Copilot responses, or waiting for Copilot to get through a long task. Microsoft's focus on gaming is only a good thing as the recent Microsoft earnings report showcased how important Xbox and gaming will be in Microsoft's future, with the addition of Activision Blizzard and King's financial data giving the division a huge boost.

Will you be trying out some of these games when you need to kill a few minutes? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is testing a new feature in the Microsoft Store that surfaces new apps and games on the home page.
• Previously, the Store's home page would include apps and games you've installed on your device, leaving little room for users to discover new apps.
• The feature is limited to Windows Insiders but should be available for everyone in the next few weeks.

In the past few months, we've seen Microsoft double down on its efforts to improve its Microsoft Store's user experience through integrating AI into the setup, as well as shipping updates and neat features to the platform. 

Right now, if you launch the Microsoft Store app on your Windows PC, you'll see a fine mixture of apps already installed on your device and top free recommended apps/games. As it happens, Microsoft is about to revamp this whole experience by enhancing the discovery of new apps and games. 

According to Rudy Huyn, Microsoft's Principal Architect for Microsoft Store, Copilot AI and Windows games or apps you've already installed on your device will be "deprioritized," ultimately enhancing the discovery of new games and apps.

The feature is still in beta, thus limiting its accessibility to Windows Insiders. However, it's highly likely that it will ship to everyone in the next couple of weeks.

Microsoft Store's enhanced discoverability for apps is a great opportunity for devs

It's about time Microsoft made this move. I always found it (for lack of a better word) redundant for the Microsoft Store to feature apps I've already installed on the homepage. 

Admittedly, Microsoft has made it easier for users to find and pick the best apps while using the Microsoft Store, thanks to the AI-generated review summaries feature. For those unfamiliar with it, it is designed to enhance users' search and review experience. 

The feature also helps enhance productivity and saves a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent scrolling through reviews. With Microsoft pushing for the discoverability of new apps and games on the Microsoft Store, developers have a great opportunity to improve the reach of their apps to more people than ever before. 

What you need to know

• Microsoft confirmed that the HP Smart app is being installed on some Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs without permission.
• A related issue renames printers as HP printers regardless of their actual manufacturer.
• Microsoft will investigate the issue and share a fix when it becomes available.

Somehow, printers still cause issues in 2023. A recently confirmed issue in Windows 11 and Windows 10 causes the HP Smart app to install on some systems without permission. Additionally, a related issue renames printers from any manufacturer as HP printers. An update Microsoft support page outlines the problems, though there isn't a fix available at this time.

Reports of the HP Smart app installing on PCs without permission first appeared last month. They have since been confirmed by Microsoft. The tech giant shared a list of related issues:

1. Some Windows 10 and Windows11 devices are installing the HP Smart App.
2. Printers are renamed as HP printers regardless of their manufacturer. Most are being named as the HP LaserJet M101-M106 model. Printer icons might also be changed.
3. Double clicking on a printer displays the on-screen error "No tasks are available for this page".

Despite the issues, printing shouldn't be affected. Your printer may have been renamed against your wishes, but it should still work.

Microsoft notes that only PCs with access to the Microsoft Store are affected by these issues. Many organizations disable access to the Microsoft Store, so the bugs shouldn't affect as many professional users as personal users.

While Microsoft has confirmed the issue, the company does not have a fix for the bug at this time. Microsoft is investigating the problem and will share an update when it becomes available.

The following platforms are affected by the issues:

• Client: Windows 11, version 23H2; Windows 11, version 22H2; Windows 11, version 21H2; Windows 10, version 22H2; Windows 10, version 21H2; Windows 10, version 1809; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016; Windows 10, version 1607; Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB
• Server: Windows Server 2022; Windows Server, version 1809; Windows Server 2019; Windows Server 2016; Windows Server 2012 R2; Windows Server 2012

While it's frustrating to run into bugs, the process Microsoft is taking to fix the issues is normal. The company confirms problems, investigates, then rolls out fixes when they're proven stable. Any reports about Microsoft running into bugs it can't fix should probably be ignored.

What you need to know

• An update to the Microsoft Store lets you pick where games are installed on your PC.
• You can choose to where to install each game you install individually or set a default in the Microsoft Store.
• Windows 11 already supported choosing where files are installed, but the upgraded Microsoft Store makes it a bit easier and has some other improvements related to installing games.

Organizing your games on Windows 11 just got a bit easier. A recent update to the Microsoft Store added the option to select which drive games are installed on by default. The improvements make it easier to keep things in order and also help ensure that games are stored on the fastest drive on your system, assuming that's your preference. Having one of the best SSDs doesn't do much good if you store your games in a slower drive.

The update, which brings the Microsoft Store to version 22310, should be available for all users.

Windows 11 already allowed you to pick where files are stored, including where games are installed. But the latest version of the Microsoft Store means you don't have to jump over to the Windows Settings app to pick your default storage locations. Additionally, the update has several other improvements.

"This new experience works specifically on MSIXVC games. There's also numerous under-the-hood improvements included with this new UX that makes MSIXVC installation more reliable Previously, the store didn't handle MSIXVC much differently from MSIX. Now we do," said Daniel Paulino, an engineer from the Microsoft Store on Windows team.

MSIXVC stands for "Microsoft Installer for Xbox Virtual Console." Appearing in both Windows 11 and Windows 1, MSIXVC is important for running games, the Microsoft Store, and Game Pass applications. Deleting the MSIXVC folder can result in drastic consequences, so it's best to leave it alone, even if it does take up quite a bit of space on your system.

You can set the Microsoft Store to ask you which drive you'd like a game to be installed on every time you install a new game or just stick with a preset default. If you choose, the Microsoft Store can remind you which drive a game will be stored in each time you install a game.

What you need to know

• A crypto investigator named @ZachXBT posted about the fake ledger app.
• The app was named Ledger Live Web3.
• The app was sending the Bitcoin to the scammer's wallet.
• The scammer made away with at least 16.8 BTC or $588,000.
• @ZachXBT just replied under the initial tweet saying Microsoft has removed the app.

A scammer was able to get a fake Ledger app called Ledger Live Web3 passed through Microsoft Store's checks and get it published on the store.  

The app was being used to steal people's Bitcoin by asking users to enter in their 12-24 word recovery phrase into the app. This of course gave the scammer access to the user's cryptocurrency. 

You can see the initial post about this by X (Twitter) user @ZachXBT. It is also important to note that while this article was being written, @ZachXBT updated their post with a reply that the Microsoft Store has removed the app. 

How can you protect your cryptocurrency?

Remember that most good or reputable cryptocurrency wallets or ledgers will never ask for your recovery phrase. If you download one that is asking for it, it is highly recommended to not enter that phrase in, as it can have disastrous consequences. This is a very heart wrenching story, as are most scam stories. 

Users across Reddit are explaining that their life savings have been wiped out by this scam. You can see more in this Reddit post by the User Weak-Rice-3545 one day ago saying they lost $26,500 from this fake ledger and it was their entire life savings. This Reddit post clarified that all of their cryptocurrency was stolen, not just their Bitcoin. They lost Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana and the user gave the address to which the scammer sent the cryptocurrency.   

So, if you have downloaded and used Ledger Live Web3 or any other Cryptocurrency wallet or ledger that asked for your recovery phrase, immediately check your balances and rotate your recovery phrase as soon as possible.

Always be on the lookout for scammers, especially in the clandestine world of cryptocurrency, where everything is anonymous and untraceable. Make sure you understand how your cryptocurrency is protected and look to store portions of it in different wallets as when it is stolen, there is no way to get it back.

What you need to know

• A recent update to the Microsoft Store shortens the time it takes to load the application.
• For some users, the Microsoft Store took seven seconds to launch, but it now takes two seconds.
• The faster launch speed arrived with an update that brings the Microsoft Store to version 22309.

The Microsoft Store should now launch much faster, thanks to a recent update. Those running version 22309 of the Microsoft Store should see significantly faster launch speeds, in some cases increasing performance by five seconds. The change was spotted by Daniel, an independent developer who created a Nightingale client, the Ambie White Noise app, and Pillbox Pro.

In Daniel's experience, the launch time of the Microsoft Store dropped from seven seconds to two seconds. Your results may vary, but the app certainly appears to open much quicker than before the update.

The Microsoft Store has received mixed reviews over the years, earning just 2.1 out of 5 when you view the store's listing for itself. But Microsoft has worked to improve its store. The Microsoft Store now has an AI hub in the works. Microsoft also added the ability to restore settings and apps from the cloud.

How do you update the Microsoft Store?

The Microsoft Store got faster with its update to version 22309. To update the Microsoft Store, ironically, you need to use the Microsoft Store.

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Select Library (the icon is in the lower-left corner of the app).
3. Select Get updates.

If you don't see an update available, there's a chance the Microsoft Store is already on its latest version. You can check this easily. In the Library section of the Microsoft Store, you'll see a list of all your installed applications. Click the Microsoft Store and scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, you'll see which version is installed on your PC. It should look similar to the image above, though my screenshot is from an Insider build of the Microsoft Store, so there's a chance there may be a few small differences.

Do you use the Microsoft Store, or do you get your apps another way? Let us know in the comments below.