What’s new with the Microsoft Store on Windows 11

Microsoft is redesigning the Store app for Windows 11 in hopes of making it relevant and more open to developers. In this new version, the Microsoft Store has been completely overhauled with a new interface that matches the new design language of Windows and makes it easier and faster for users to find and download apps, games, shows and movies. .

Perhaps the most significant change, however, is the new policies that allow independent software developers and vendors to bring virtually any form of apps to the Microsoft Store, including traditional Win32 (.exe and .msi). unpackaged), .NET and Progressive Web Apps (PWA) and the ability to allow them to keep 100% of the revenue when using their own commerce platform (non-gaming). Microsoft will continue to offer its commerce technology that allows the company to keep a small percentage of the sale. However, developers will have the choice of using their own monetization system.

In this Windows 11 guide, we’ll take a closer look at the rebuilt Microsoft Store app.

The new Windows 11 Store experience

The new Microsoft Store app follows the same design language the company is pushing on Windows 11 with rounded corners, new Fluent Design materials like Mica, new animations, and a simple, responsive experience.

When you open the app, you will notice a carousel that includes curated collections of the best apps. You’ll find different sections featuring essential apps, games, the best free apps, and more as you scroll down.

There’s the new search box at the top center that lets you quickly search and find the apps and entertainment you want.

This time around, the navigation pane is on the left with buttons to access the various tabs, including “Home”, “Applications”, “Games” and “Movies & TV”, as well as “Library” and “Help”. “.

In the Home tab is where you will find curated content listings, which you can get from Store. Additionally, you’ll notice a new carousel at the top of the page that showcases the best apps, games, and videos the Microsoft Store has to offer.

The page is also divided into sections to showcase essential and best apps, free games, trending content, and more.

The applications The tab looks like the Home tab, but it’s dedicated to all the apps that you can download to your Windows 11 computer.

The Games and Movies and TV the tabs feature similar layouts, but they feature content related to its category.

When you select an app, game, or video, you will see a new transition animation that will take you to the product page. Also, depending on the content, you will get a new layout to learn more and download the product.

For example, when selecting an app, the transmission will be smooth with a new animation to the new product page which includes the name and the download (or purchase) option on the left side, while only on the right side you will find screenshots and videos, descriptions, ratings and reviews, and other information about the app.

On the other hand, when you select the game or movie (including shows), the page includes a hero image in the background and the name and the option to download the product above the information reset of the game, such as screenshots, descriptions, ratings, reviews, and system requirements.

Unlike the Apps page, you will get a floating bar with the name and the option to download the product when you scroll down.

Then there is the Library page that lists all the apps you own on devices associated with the same Microsoft account. You can sort the list by apps, games, movies, and shows, as well as apps that came with the device.

Ideally there is a Get Updates button that allows you to manually check and download app updates from the Microsoft Store. However, this shouldn’t be necessary because, by default, these apps update automatically.

In the upper right corner, it is the profile menu which gives you access to the management of your account and payment options. These are links to manage this information in your Microsoft account online.

The app’s settings page has also been redesigned and looks like the Settings app. Here you can control various aspects of the applications. For example, you can turn automatic updates on or off and set the experience, so you’re never prompted for a password for your purchases.

Also, like in the previous version of the app, there is an option for offline permissions and disable video autoplay when viewing a product.

In conclusion, Windows 11 users will get the same Microsoft Store, but with a different interface and tweaks to make the experience faster and smoother. Plus, as the company relaxes the rules and adds new changes for developers, you will now be able to find even more apps, including traditional, modern, and web apps.

For example, now you will find more popular apps like Adobe Lightroom, WinZip, Zoom, 7Zip (unofficial), and you will even be able to see apps like Firefox and Chrome and many more. Microsoft is even working to bring more of its apps to the Store, including Microsoft Teams, Office, and Visual Studio, which have been in the Store from the start.

Missing features

Microsoft has also promised a few other features, such as the new Pop-up Store and support for Android apps on Windows 11, but these are not available at the time of writing.

The Pop-up shop should be a feature that allows developers to offer a way to download apps similar to the Store experience, but through the web using the browser.

When the user clicks the download link on the developer’s website, a Microsoft Store prompt appears to download and install the app from the Store, but without opening the app.

Android app support for Windows 11 is a collaboration that Microsoft is doing with Amazon and Intel. Since Android apps come from a different platform, the software giant is building a virtualization layer known as the Windows for Android Subsystem for the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to run apps without them. Google Play services. Amazon will provide the applications through the Appstore which will integrate with the Microsoft Store. However, side-loading applications may be an option. And the final piece of the puzzle is Intel’s Bridge technology which allows applications to run on devices with Intel processors.

It’s unclear when these features will be available, but the company should at least start testing support for Android apps soon.

Additionally, the Amason Appstore won’t be the only third-party app store as the company is working with other companies to make their storefronts accessible through the Microsoft Store. For example, the Epic Games Store is expected to hit Store on Windows 11 in the coming months. Once the integration is in place, each storefront app will have a product page, which users can install to easily start getting apps since they were part of the Microsoft Store app.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common Windows 10 and Windows 11 questions, visit the following resources: