Microsoft Streamlines App Downloads with Web-Based Microsoft Store Update

[AleksandarK]

To enhance user experience, Microsoft has rolled out a significant update to the web version of its Microsoft Store, simplifying the process of downloading and installing applications. This move aims to minimize the number of steps required, making it more convenient for users to access their desired apps. Previously, the process of installing apps from the Microsoft Store website involved multiple steps, including navigating through deep-linked dialogues and mini-window popups before the actual download could commence. While this approach was implemented as a security measure to prevent malicious scripts from executing, it was deemed cumbersome by many users. With the introduction of the "undocked version" of the Microsoft Store, the app installation process has been streamlined. Users can now download an app for their Windows system with just two clicks.

The first click initiates the download of the app package, and the second click launches the application itself. Early feedback from testers and developers has been overwhelmingly positive, with reports indicating a 12% increase in app installations and a remarkable 54% surge in the number of applications launched after installation. This update not only improves the user experience but also holds the potential to boost app adoption and engagement on the Microsoft Store platform. While not all apps currently support this new lightweight installation process, with some still directing users to the dedicated Windows app or requiring additional downloads during installation, Microsoft is committed to expanding the availability of this feature across its app catalog. This update underscores Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and user-friendliness of its services.



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[Zubasa]

M$ came full circle, once upon a time Windows Update was also web-based.

 

[P4-630]

Old news...

However it's nice you don't need the "ms store" to download their apps anymore when you need something from ms..

 

[Chrispy_]

I never understood the point of the separate app. I figured it was a hangover from Microsoft's failed attempt to transition people away from Win32 API to UWP .appx installations, but they've really f***ing mangled it and made a total mess of things.

Most developers of serious software avoid UWP like the plague. These .exe installers appear to be Microsoft reverting to the tried-and-tested Win32 API variants for now. Unlike UWP they seem more platform-agnostic.

 

[bonehead123]

Now if they would just fix that damned "need internet for this" clusterfluke, maybe I could download some apps I want....

I AM online & signed into my M$ account too, how the hell else did I get the app to even work ?

 

[kapone32]

More control

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

M$ came full circle, once upon a time Windows Update was also web-based.

My favorite time was back when I had a Surface 2, and you could ONLY get apps from the MS Store. There were times when it wouldn’t install anything. The unofficial “solution” was to delete an existing app—any app, mind you—which somehow fixed the broken install issue. To this day, I still have issues with the Store, and that’s to play the one game I foolishly purchased through it—Forza 7. I really love how it creates folders that you cannot take control of or delete, even after you’ve uninstalled it. Gotta format the drive to actually get rid of it.

 

[R0H1T]

M$ came full circle, once upon a time Windows Update was also web-based.

How far back are we talking about? Pre XP perhaps?

 

[wNotyarD]

My favorite time was back when I had a Surface 2, and you could ONLY get apps from the MS Store. There were times when it wouldn’t install anything. The unofficial “solution” was to delete an existing app—any app, mind you—which somehow fixed the broken install issue. To this day, I still have issues with the Store, and that’s to play the one game I foolishly purchased through it—Forza 7. I really love how it creates folders that you cannot take control of or delete, even after you’ve uninstalled it. Gotta format the drive to actually get rid of it.

Couldn't you use a live Linux distro to delete them folders?

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Couldn't you use a live Linux distro to delete them folders?

Yeah, probably could. Just shouldn't be that way. I kinda get why when the app is installed, but it's locked even after you delete it.

 

[cvaldes]

I never understood the point of the separate app.

It's easier for them to shove advertisements in a separate application versus a webpage which can be easily blocked or filtered out by an browser extension.

A separate store app probably makes users feel more comfortable in keeping their sessions open between uses which lowers barriers to payment. There's also the notion of apps included with devices which might be easier handled by a standalone application versus a web browser.

Also, web developers have to make the site compatible with multiple browsers. And even if Chromium is underneath the hood for most of them, that doesn't automatically make every Chromium-based browser behave the same/render exactly the same thing. There's the big can of worms that is different browser versions. Ask any web developer how much they like supporting Mozilla Firefox in 2024... (something like 2% of browser marketshare right now and declining).

There are probably 5-6 other factors that tip the scales to a standalone app versus a webpage.

 

[Zubasa]

How far back are we talking about? Pre XP perhaps?

It was in early Win XP, they introduced the app later.

 

[Chrispy_]

It's easier for them to shove advertisements in a separate application versus a webpage which can be easily blocked or filtered out by an browser extension.

A separate store app probably makes users feel more comfortable in keeping their sessions open between uses which lowers barriers to payment. There's also the notion of apps included with devices which might be easier handled by a standalone application versus a web browser.

Also, web developers have to make the site compatible with multiple browsers. And even if Chromium is underneath the hood for most of them, that doesn't automatically make every Chromium-based browser behave the same/render exactly the same thing. There's the big can of worms that is different browser versions. Ask any web developer how much they like supporting Mozilla Firefox in 2024... (something like 2% of browser marketshare right now and declining).

There are probably 5-6 other factors that tip the scales to a standalone app versus a webpage.

You're probably right, the cynic in me agrees that shoveling ads and pre-installed bloatware with kickbacks is a very likely reason it still exists.
I still can't see any benefit for the user, though

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

How far back are we talking about? Pre XP perhaps?

Windows 98/ME/2000 did it via internet explorer. XP did as well, in its original form. IIRC windows update as a separate app came with SP1. Of course, that was really a internet explorer backend, so really it wasnt until Vista.

 

[cvaldes]

You're probably right, the cynic in me agrees that shoveling ads and pre-installed bloatware with kickbacks is a very likely reason it still exists.
I still can't see any benefit for the user, though

When properly done, a standalone store application should be faster.

To use an analogy, a web browser basically sees everything as an empty lot with a foundation poured and some basic infrastructure (utilities, etc.). A standalone store application is basically the entire store minus the shelves and products. So when you click on the Amazon app on your smartphone, it mostly needs to just populate the shelves with products.

The Microsoft Store is pure garbage, just like most of their consumer facing efforts. It's an embarrassment to be honest. Shouldn't Windows users expect a content store as good as the competition's?

Example of someone who has figured this out? Apple. Their various store apps (Mac App Store, iOS App Store, iTunes Store, etc.) work great and have a long track record of excellent performance. The Mac App Store puts the Microsoft Store to utter shame.

On the PC side, Steam is another example of a company who has leveraged standalone app technology to the user's benefit. How good is library management on the Steam web store? Ever try to archive a game using the Steam web store? Update owned titles? Repair game assets? Ever try throttle downloads from a website? Resume interrupted downloads?

The list goes on and on how a standalone store application has many, many more functions than a web-only store. Amazon has realized this and has propagated more store functions in standalone apps (particularly on mobile platforms).

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Broadly relavent XKCD:

 

[Chrispy_]

Broadly relavent XKCD:

View attachment 345784

This.
Yes.
Microsoft have finally worked it out after, uh, 12 years of failed attempts?
Do we celebrate? I don't think so - nobody vaguely tech-savvy has 'browsed' the Windows Store in a decade.

 

[Ownedtbh]

meanwhile company teams needs to be installed with a .msix instead of a simple .exe

 

[Chrispy_]

meanwhile company teams needs to be installed with a .msix instead of a simple .exe

Don't get me started on Teams(classic) and New Teams (work or school).
That's one of Microsoft's biggest blunders in a while. So many headaches and errors caused by that dumbass "optional" transition that should have simply been a mandatory upgrade of the original version.