Complete guide to the Windows app store

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The Windows app store has become the central hub for safely installing programs, games, and tools on your PC. Whether you're coming from Windows 7 or 8.1 or already using Windows 10 or 11, understanding how the Microsoft Store works and what alternatives are available can save you a lot of trouble.

Throughout this guide, you'll learn how to use the Microsoft Store, its advantages, the risks of bypassing it , and advanced methods for downloading UWP apps outside the store and even installing the Google Play Store on Windows 11. It's a long and detailed guide, but if you frequently work with software on Windows, having all this information clear will be invaluable.

What is the Windows app store and how does it work?

The Microsoft Store is the official app store for Windows , natively present in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and introduced in Windows 8. From here you can download free and paid apps, games, productivity tools, and even some classic Win32 apps packaged for distribution through the store.

Microsoft's main idea with this platform is to offer an environment similar to Apple's App Store or Google Play : a single place to search, buy, download and update software without having to jump from website to website, with a minimum of quality control and security by the company itself.

When you download an app from the Microsoft Store, it becomes linked to your Microsoft account . This means you can reinstall it on other compatible devices where you sign in with the same account, and it will also update automatically without you having to worry about new versions.

Another key point is that the apps in the store, especially the UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps, have been reviewed and signed by Microsoft , which significantly reduces the risk of malware, Trojans, or installers full of junk. It's not foolproof, but the security is generally much higher than downloading random programs from the internet.

How to use the Microsoft Store in Windows 10 and Windows 11

In modern versions of the system, the Microsoft Store comes pre-installed and is fairly easy to find. Even so, it's worth reviewing how to access, search for content, and manage your apps in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, because the interface has slight differences between versions.

The first step is to open the Store. On both systems, you can type "Microsoft Store" in the search bar on the taskbar and click "Open." It's also usually pinned to the Start menu and, on some computers, to the taskbar by default.

Once inside, you'll see that the store organizes content into different sections: featured apps, top free apps, popular games , and specific categories accessible from a sidebar (Windows 11) or from the top (Windows 10). The options are very similar on both systems, although the design in Windows 11 is more modern and cleaner.

If you want to refine your search further, you can use the Microsoft Store's internal search bar to directly locate the app or game you need. Simply type the name, or you can search by program type (for example, "photo editor," "office suite," etc.).

On the homepage, you'll see sections like "Best Free Apps" or "Top Games." To see all the apps in a specific category , simply tap "Show all" or "View all" at the bottom of the corresponding row. From there, you'll have access to further filters by device type, price, rating, and more.

Install apps and games from the Microsoft Store

Once you've found what you're looking for, the installation process is quite simple. Each app listing includes a description, screenshots, average rating, system requirements, and user reviews, which helps you decide whether it's worth installing.

To download a free app, simply click the "Get" or "Install" button . For paid apps, you'll see the price and a purchase button. If you're not signed in, the store will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account to complete the process.

In Windows 11, when you click "Get," the store may ask if you want to associate that app with your Microsoft account so you can use it on other devices. If you confirm, it will be linked to that account and appear in your library. Windows 10 works similarly, although if you don't want to sign in at that moment, you can choose options like "No thanks" and download some apps only for your current computer.

While the app downloads, the Microsoft Store displays the progress, and once the installation is complete, you can open it directly from the store or the Start menu. The entire process is automatic and seamless : you won't see any installation wizards or have to click "Next" ten times, as is the case with so many traditional programs.

If you ever encounter errors while trying to install or update apps from the Microsoft Store (for example, the store won't open, it freezes, or it doesn't download anything), Microsoft offers specific troubleshooting pages for these cases: guides on what to do if you can't install apps, if the Store won't start, etc.

Application library and update management

One of the advantages of using the official store is that you don't have to chase after updates yourself. The Microsoft Store includes an option to automatically update apps , which you should check in case you accidentally disabled it.

In Windows 11, to change this setting, click on your avatar or profile picture icon in the upper right corner of the Store and go to "App settings." There you'll see, among other options, the switch to turn "Automatically update apps" on or off. If you like to keep everything up to date without worrying, leave it turned on.

In Windows 10, this setting is usually found in the three-dot menu "See more" . From there, access "Settings" and you'll find the same option to have the Store automatically download updates when they become available.

In addition to updates, the store includes a "Library" or "My Library" section , which is essential for recovering apps you had installed on other devices or that you uninstalled in the past. Here you'll find a list of all the applications associated with your account: those currently installed, those ready to be installed, and any other titles you've previously acquired.

From this library, you can reinstall software with a single click, which is useful if you switch PCs, format Windows , or simply want to remember which apps you've tried before. It's a kind of history of your downloads within the Microsoft Store ecosystem.

Advantages and disadvantages of the official Windows store

The Microsoft Store has been gradually improving since its introduction in Windows 8. It gained considerable traction with Windows 10, and in Windows 11 it took a significant leap forward in terms of design, catalog, and performance . Despite this, many users still prefer to download programs directly from official websites or third-party repositories.

Among the main advantages is the security of UWP apps and packages reviewed by Microsoft . Before being published in the store, applications undergo checks that reduce the risk of viruses, spyware, adware, and other malware. This doesn't mean everything is perfect, but the environment is considerably more controlled than downloading random executables from Google.

Another positive point is the guaranteed compatibility with your version of Windows . If an app isn't compatible with your system (for example, because it requires a newer version or a different architecture), the store won't let you install it, preventing errors, crashes, or failed installations that are common when trying to install older or poorly adapted software.

Another important benefit is that you avoid the chaos of intrusive advertising, misleading banners, and fake download buttons so common on many download sites. In the Store, you click and that's it: no pop-ups, no installers with toolbars, and no "free" antivirus software disguised in the process.

Even so, the store has its disadvantages. For one thing, it depends entirely on Microsoft's infrastructure , so if there are connection problems with their servers, temporary errors, or bugs in the Store app itself, you might find that it won't open, won't download, or fails to update, whereas an .exe downloaded from the developer's website would likely continue to work.

On the other hand, the Microsoft Store catalog has traditionally not been as extensive or as up-to-date as those of other ecosystems, especially regarding professional tools or some games. Although this is changing, there are still cases where the version downloaded from the developer's website offers more features than the store edition, as is the case with VLC, whose UWP version is designed more for touch use and omits advanced options such as video conversion or downloading from YouTube.

Download UWP apps from the Microsoft Store without using the store

Although Microsoft's approach is to have everything go through its official store, there are alternatives for downloading UWP packages (.Appx, .AppxBundle, .EAppxBundle) directly from the company's servers without using the Microsoft Store interface. One of the best-known is the Adguard developer platform.

Adguard is popular for offering tools that allow users to obtain official Windows and Office ISOs directly from Microsoft servers, bypassing dubious websites. Building on this same concept, they have extended their service to generate direct download links for apps from the Microsoft Store, acting as a kind of proxy between the user and the Store.

The process is simple: first, you need to get the application's URL from the Microsoft Store website . For example, if you search for WhatsApp Desktop on the web version of the store, you'll see an address like this: https://www.microsoft.com/es-es/p/whatsapp-desktop/9nksqgp7f2nh. What you need is the clean part of the URL, without any extra parameters.

After copying that address, you'll be taken to the Adguard link generator website . There you'll find a text box where you can paste the app's URL, product ID, package name, or similar information. There's also a menu to choose the version channel: Retail (stable), Insider versions (Release Preview, Fast, Slow), etc.

The usual procedure is to select "Retail" as the stable version and click the button to generate the links. The system queries Microsoft's servers and displays a list of all files related to the application: AppxBundle packages, EAppxBundle packages, dependencies, digital signatures, libraries, etc., each with its size and a SHA1 hash to verify its integrity.

The files you're usually interested in are the .AppxBundle and .EAppxBundle packages , which contain the application itself. Clicking on the appropriate file (pay attention to the latest version and architecture, for example, x64 for modern computers) starts the direct download from Microsoft's servers, bypassing the Microsoft Store.

Installing .Appx and .AppxBundle packages on Windows

To install these packages you obtained from outside the Store, you need to enable Windows Developer Mode . This mode allows you to install UWP apps that aren't signed for the Store or that come from external sources, which is essential in this case.

Activation is done through the Windows Settings app, by going to "Update & Security" and then "For developers" (in Windows 10), or the equivalent section in Windows 11. There you will see an option called "Developer mode" that you must enable. The system will display a warning that this feature allows the installation of apps from unverified sources; accept and let Windows apply the changes.

With developer mode enabled, simply double-click the downloaded .Appx or .AppxBundle file. Windows will open the UWP package installer, where you'll see information about the file's origin (Microsoft Store), the publisher, the program version, requested permissions, and any other necessary dependencies.

In that window, you can select whether you want the app to run automatically after installation. Once everything is set up correctly, click the "Install" button and let the system handle the rest . If any additional libraries or frameworks are missing, Windows will attempt to download them automatically.

If you prefer a more technical approach, you can also install these packages using PowerShell . In that case, open a PowerShell console with administrator privileges and use a command similar to: `Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:/Path/Program.Appx"` (adapting the path and filename to your specific needs). For unpackaged packages, you can use the XML manifest with `Add-AppxPackage -Path C:/Path/AppxManifest.xml -Register`.

Risks and limitations of installing apps outside of the Microsoft Store

Although it is technically possible to download and install APPX and APPXBUNDLE files without going through the store, it is worth considering the point of doing so and the risks involved , especially when it comes to paid applications or large games.

First, the Microsoft Store uses DRM and online validation for paid apps . Just because you can download an .Appx package of an app that costs money doesn't mean you'll be able to use it for free. When you try to open it, the system will verify permissions and require that the account you're signed in with actually has that license. If it doesn't, you won't be able to run it.

This makes the supposed "trick" of downloading paid apps for free this way completely pointless. You can spend ages downloading tens of gigabytes of a game, filling your hard drive with useless data , only to discover it won't even boot because the license validation linked to your Microsoft account is missing.

Furthermore, manually installing APPX packages carries the risk of losing track of updates . The App Store won't know you have that app managed by its system, so you won't receive new versions unless you manually download them again, resulting in wasted time and potential compatibility issues.

Developer mode, necessary for these experiments, also opens the door to installing less controlled software , which, if you're not careful, can lead to the execution of malicious or poorly designed packages. Therefore, while downloading packages directly from official Microsoft servers significantly reduces the risk, any additional shortcuts (dubious sources, unofficial repositories) become a potential security problem.

Similarly, when you download programs from websites other than the Store, it's easy to end up with bloated executables that include other bundled programs (browser toolbars, promotional antivirus software, utilities you didn't ask for, etc.), which makes the installers take up much more space than the original app and leaves your system full of junk you neither need nor want.

There's also the compatibility factor. When you manually download applications from the internet, there's no guarantee that the version will work correctly on your edition of Windows . You could inadvertently install a build designed for a different system branch or architecture, risking errors, unexpected crashes, and conflicts with other apps.

Why using the Microsoft Store still pays off

Despite all the alternatives and advanced methods for downloading apps in a thousand ways, in everyday life the most logical thing for most users is to continue using the Microsoft Store as the main source of software , relying on the developers' official websites only when really necessary.

The store's catalog has grown significantly in recent years, and more and more developers are releasing versions adapted for Windows 10 and, especially, Windows 11. Many classic programs that were previously only available through their website are now available in the Store, and this trend is clearly on the rise.

The fact that the installation is clean, without cumbersome wizards or hidden extras, that you can centralize updates, licenses and reinstallations , and that there is also a prior security check by Microsoft, makes the Store, for most people, the least problematic option.

Does that mean you should never install anything from outside the store? Not at all. There are professional applications, advanced tools, or specific versions (like the full desktop version of VLC) that are only available, or only make sense, when downloaded from the official website . But using methods like downloading APPX on your own or enabling developer mode without a good reason usually causes more problems than it solves.

In very specific cases, it is useful to save an APPX package of an application that you fear might disappear from the Store in the future, for example, a useful tool for creating Windows Spotlight wallpapers or similar apps. If you have already purchased it with your account, keeping the installer can serve as an additional backup , provided you remember that its execution will still require authentication with your Microsoft account.

Installing the Google Play Store on Windows 11: the other app store

With Windows 11, Microsoft has taken another step forward by integrating Android applications into the system through the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). By default, this subsystem connects to the Amazon Appstore, but it's possible to go further and add the Google Play Store itself to install Android apps directly from Google's official store.

The process for achieving this is not exactly trivial, as it involves using a modified version of the Android subsystem with support for Google services (GApps) and, in many cases, root capabilities. The most popular tool for this is an open-source project called Magisk on WSA, available on GitHub.

Before we begin, if you already have the standard Windows Subsystem for Android installed, it's best to uninstall it completely . You can do this from the Start menu by searching for "Windows Subsystem for Android" and using the uninstall option, just like any other system app.

Next, you'll need to activate and configure the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) . This is usually done by installing it from the Microsoft Store and then downloading a distribution like Ubuntu from the same store. This will provide you with the necessary Linux environment to run Magisk on WSA scripts.

Once Ubuntu is installed, go to "Turn Windows features on or off" in the search bar and make sure that "Virtual Machine Platform" and "Windows Subsystem for Linux" are enabled . Windows will apply the changes and prompt you to restart your computer.

After restarting, open Ubuntu from the Start menu, preferably using the "Run as administrator" option . The first time you boot it, the system will finish installing the distribution and ask you to create a unique Ubuntu username and password, separate from your Windows credentials.

With Ubuntu up and running, it's time to clone the Magisk on WSA repository. In your Linux terminal, run the command `git clone https://github.com/LSPosed/MagiskOnWSALocal.git` to download the code to your local environment . Once that's finished, navigate to the project folder using `cd MagiskOnWSALocal` and then `cd scripts` to access the scripts directory.

Within that path, launch the main script with `./run.sh` . The system will ask for your Ubuntu user password and begin downloading and preparing all the necessary components. Take your time, as it may take a while depending on your internet connection and computer's processing power.

Once the wizard has started, you will have to answer several questions: first, the architecture of the subsystem (x64 for PCs with Intel or AMD processors, ARM64 for computers with ARM chips), then the channel you want to use (stable, beta, dev, etc.), it is recommended to choose the stable one unless you need something specific.

Later, the assistant will ask if you want the Android device you're about to install to have root access . This isn't strictly necessary if you only want to use the Play Store, but many users take advantage of this to enable it and be able to tinker with it later. If you choose yes, you'll need to select the type of root access to apply.

The key point in the process comes when you're asked if you want to install GApps (Google Apps) . You must answer yes here, because this suite of Google applications and services includes the Play Store and the components it needs to function correctly.

Optionally, the assistant may ask if you want to keep the Amazon Appstore that comes with the original WSA. Keeping it doesn't have any negative impact, so if you regularly use it, you can say yes to have both stores coexisting on the same Android subsystem.

Finally, it will offer you the option to compress the generated subsystem image or not . This only makes sense if you plan to share that image with other computers or save it as a compact backup, so if you're only going to use it on your PC, you can skip compression to save time.

When the wizard finishes generating the image, you'll find the output folder in the usual WSL path: within Linux > Ubuntu > Home > your user > MagiskOnWSALocal > Output. There you'll see a directory with a name starting with WSA, containing all the files from the modified subsystem.

The next step is to copy the contents of that folder to a convenient location on your Windows drive, for example , C:\WSA . You don't need to keep the same folder name; the important thing is to have all the files together in a path that's easy to type from the Windows command prompt.

Next, open the Windows Terminal or a PowerShell window as administrator and navigate to the correct path using commands like `cd\` followed by `cd C:\WSA` (adjusting the path to your specific location). Once there, run the installation script with a command like ` PowerShell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\Install.ps1 .`

This script will register and install the modified Windows Subsystem for Android on your system. During the process, windows may appear requesting permissions, as well as a screen asking if you want to send diagnostic data to Microsoft ; you can continue without selecting anything if you prefer.

When the installation is complete, the subsystem interface will open, showing that Android is starting up. You'll also need to wait a few minutes for everything to finish configuring. Once complete, you'll see the initial Android and Google Play Store setup.

On the first launch, you can choose whether to allow notifications, and then you'll be prompted to sign in to the Play Store with your Google account . Enter your email address and password, accept the terms of service, and after a few moments of loading, the store will be ready.

From that moment on, you'll have access to the Play Store just like you would on an Android phone, with the added benefit that the apps you install will be integrated into Windows as if they were native applications . You'll be able to launch them from the Start menu, pin them to the taskbar, and use them in resizable windows.

Whenever you want to return to the Play Store, simply search for “Play Store” in the Windows 11 Start menu and open the app. The initial loading time after each boot of the subsystem might be a little slow, but after that, it will run smoothly and you'll be able to install almost any Android application compatible with this environment.

With all of the above in mind, the landscape of the Windows app store is quite clear: on one hand, you have the Microsoft Store as the main and most secure option; on the other, advanced methods for downloading and installing apps from outside the store, with their limitations and risks; and, in addition, the option of integrating the Google Play Store into Windows 11 to expand the catalog with Android apps. Choosing the most suitable path in each case will depend on your needs, your technical skill level, and how much you want to complicate things, but having all these tools at your disposal allows you to get much more out of your Windows PC.