Microsoft's PC Manager app submitted to Microsoft Store, though it's still hidden

Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320) for 2022
(Image credit: Daniel Rubino)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft has been working on a PC Manager app for Windows for several months.
  • The app was recently submitted to the Microsoft Store, though its listing is currently hidden.
  • PC Manager allows users to optimize their computer by performing a health check, managing storage, selecting which apps run at startup, and managing active apps.

None of the options presented in PC Manager are new, but the app makes them easier to find. For example, users can already select which apps run at startup through the Control Panel and optimize storage through the Settings app. While tech-savvy people already know where to find these settings, PC Manager provides simple shortcuts to them.

While the app provides several useful choices to improve a PC's performance, it's received mocking on the web due to its suggestion to switch to Microsoft Edge. Under a section labeled "Potential issues" the only suggested action is "Reset default browser to Edge."

Microsoft has been aggressive over the years in its push to get people to use its browser. Several elements of Windows 11 open in Edge regardless of what your default browser is. The process of switching the default browser in Windows 11 isn't seamless either, though it's gotten better over the past few months.

Aside from the suggestion to use Edge feeling pushy to many, PC Manager appears to be a simple app for optimizing a system.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.