Windows Application Store

You can't do this with a Windows Store app, but that's fine—just drag and drop the application shortcut directly from the Start menu to create a shortcut. If you prefer to copy the shortcut from File Explorer, open a second File Explorer window and plug shell:appsfolder into its address bar. Unfortunately, in a Windows 10 based devices, there isn't a valid way to block only the Windows Store application while keeping all other Store apps enabled and available to users. So, if you want to disable the Windows Store app in Windows 10 you have the following options according your Windows 10 version.

1. Window Store App Download For Pc
2. Windows 10 App Store

This article outlines the release cycle for administrators to update the Microsoft Store apps installed by default on Windows 8.1-based computers.

Original product version: Windows 10 - all editions
Original KB number: 2971128

More information

When you are connected to the Internet, Windows 8.1 clients obtain updates to Microsoft Store apps directly from the Microsoft Store app (visible on the Windows Start screen).

To update these Microsoft Store apps on computers that cannot connect to the Microsoft Store site by using the Internet, Microsoft has a collection of downloadable updates available on the Windows Update Catalog. These updates can be distributed by using System Center, WSUS and third-party equivalents, or slipstreamed into the operating system image that is used by your organization.

The intent of this process is not to bypass the Microsoft Store, but to enable computers that cannot connect to the Microsoft Store to update Microsoft Store apps on a recurring basis.

Frequently asked questions

Which Microsoft Store apps will be serviced through this channel

Microsoft is releasing packages for Windows 8.1 Microsoft Store apps that are listed in the release chart at the end of this article.

Will non-inbox Microsoft Store app updates such as OneNote be released

No. We are currently targeting the Microsoft Store apps that are distributed by default with Windows 8.1 editions.

Can third-party Microsoft Store apps be updated by using this process

No. The developer of the third-party app can make available the package, and it can then be Sideload Apps with DISM similar to line-of-business apps.

Will Microsoft continue to release updates

Yes. Microsoft will update the inbox packages for Windows 8.1 for customers based on need. Contact Microsoft support to request one or more packages be updated.

How do I get the updates

These packages will be available through WSUS and the Windows Update Catalog.

Which languages are available

The packages include all the languages currently supported through the Microsoft Store.

Which editions of Windows are supported

Windows 8.1 x86 and x64 editions are supported. Windows RT 8.1 is not supported.

Can I install these updates on Industry (Embedded) editions

No, Industry editions are not licensed for these applications and therefore updates to these applications are not supported. If you have a need for Microsoft Store apps for Industry editions, contact your account manager or open a support ticket for your request to be evaluated.

How do I create an image that includes these apps

We recommend installing the app updates as part of your post operating system deployment updates through WSUS. However, if you need an automated process, you can extract each .cab file to its respective MSI. Then, you can script the installation or deploy by using traditional application deployment technologies.

Can I use this to reinstall the inbox apps that are removed after deploying Windows 8.1 images

No. This process is only designed to update apps already installed on the system. If you are able to enable temporary access to the Microsoft Store, you can install the apps again and then maintain them by using this process. Or, you will need to deploy a new image that contains the apps.

Can the packages be installed offline

No. You cannot use dism.exe to install the updates offline. They must be installed through the .MSI installer to a running operating system.

When are the packages going to be shipped

What follows is the release schedule for each Microsoft Store app:

If you decide to package your desktop app in an MSIX package, you can publish your packaged application to the Microsoft Store or sideload it onto one or more devices.

Note

Do you have a plan for how you might transition users to your packaged application? Before you distribute your app, see the Transition users to your packaged app section of this guide to get some ideas.

Distribute your application by publishing it to the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is a convenient way for customers to get your app.

Window Store App Download For Pc

Publish your application to the Microsoft Store to reach the broadest audience. Also, organizational customers can acquire your application to distribute internally to their organizations through the Microsoft Store for Business.

If you plan to publish to the Microsoft Store, you'll be asked a few extra questions as part of the submission process. That's because your package manifest declares a restricted capability named runFullTrust, and we need to approve your application's use of that capability. You can read more about this requirement here: Restricted capabilities.

You don't have to sign your application before you submit it to the Store.

Important

If you plan to publish your application to the Microsoft Store, make sure that your application operates correctly on devices that run Windows 10 S. This is a Store requirement. See Test your Windows app for Windows 10 S.

Distribute your application without placing it onto the Microsoft Store

If you'd rather distribute your application without using the Store, you can manually distribute apps to one or more devices.

This might make sense if you want greater control over the distribution experience or you don't want to get involved with the Microsoft Store certification process.

To distribute your application to other devices without placing it in the Store, you have to obtain a certificate, sign your application by using that certificate, and then sideload your application onto those devices.

You can create a certificate or obtain one from a popular vendor such as Verisign.

If you plan to distribute your application onto devices that run Windows 10 S, your application has to be signed by the Microsoft Store so you'll have to go through the Store submission process before you can distribute your application onto those devices.

If you create a certificate, you have to install it into the Trusted Root or Trusted People certificate store on each device that runs your app. If you get a certificate from a popular vendor, you won't have to install anything onto other systems besides your app.

Important

Make sure that the publisher name on your certificate matches the publisher name of your app.

To sign your application by using a certificate, see Sign an application package using SignTool.

To sideload your application onto other devices, see Sideload LOB apps in Windows 10.

Transition users to your packaged app

Before you distribute your app, consider adding a few extensions to your package manifest to help users get into the habit of using your packaged app. Here's a few things you can do.

• Point existing Start tiles and taskbar buttons to your packaged app.
• Associate your packaged application with a set of file types.
• Make your packaged application open certain types of files by default.

For the complete list of extensions and the guidance for how to use them, see Transition users to your app.

Also, consider adding code to your packaged application that accomplishes these tasks:

• Migrates user data associated with your desktop application to the appropriate folder locations of your packaged app.
• Gives users the option to uninstall the desktop version of your app.

Let's talk about each one of these tasks. We'll start with user data migration.

Migrate user data

If you're going to add code that migrates user data, it's best to run that code only when the application is first started. Before you migrate the users data, display a dialog box to the user that explains what is happening, why it is recommended, and what's going to happen to their existing data.

Here's an example of how you could do this in a .NET-based packaged app.

Uninstall the desktop version of your app

It is better not to uninstall the users desktop application without first asking them for permission. Display a dialog box that asks the user for that permission. Users might decide not to uninstall the desktop version of your app. If that happens, you'll have to decide whether you want to block usage of the desktop application or support the side-by-side use of both apps.

Windows 10 App Store

Here's an example of how you could do this in a .NET-based packaged app.

To view the complete context of this snippet, see the MainWindow.cs file of this sample WPF picture viewer with transition/migration/uninstallation.

Next steps

Have questions? Ask us on Stack Overflow. Our team monitors these tags. You can also ask us here.

If you encounter issues publishing your application to the Store, this blog post contains some useful tips.