Microsoft Store

Microsoft Store (formerly known as Windows Store) is a digital distribution platform operated by Microsoft. It started as an app store for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 as the primary means of distributing Universal Windows Platform apps. With Windows 10, Microsoft merged its other distribution platforms (Windows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Xbox Store, and a web storefront also known as "Microsoft Store") into Microsoft Store, making it a unified distribution point for apps, console games, and digital videos. Digital music was included until the end of 2017, and E-books were included until 2019.[2]

This article is about the online store. For the former retail chain, see Microsoft Store (retail).
"Windows Store" redirects here. Not to be confused with Windows Phone Store or Windows Marketplace.
"MS Store" redirects here. For the British retailer, see Marks & Spencer. For the Philippine store, see Primark Town Center.

Microsoft Store
Latest version of Microsoft Store running on Windows 11
Other namesWindows Store
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseOctober 26, 2012 (2012-10-26)
Stable release
22202.1402.2.0[1] / 24 February 2022
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 11

Xbox
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

PlatformIA-32, x86-64, ARM, ARM64, web browser
PredecessorWindows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Video, Xbox Music, Xbox Store
Service nameWindows Store Service (WSService)
TypeApp store
Video game digital distribution
Video on demand

Ebook store (closed in July 2019)
Online music store (closed in December 2017)

LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.microsoft.com/store/ 
Part of a series of articles on
Windows 10
Other editions
Related

As with other similar platforms, such as the Google Play and Mac App Store, Microsoft Store is curated, and apps must be certified for compatibility and content. In addition to the user-facing Microsoft Store client, the store has a developer portal with which developers can interact. Microsoft takes 5–15% of the sale price for apps and 30% on Xbox games. Prior to January 1, 2015, this cut was reduced to 20% after the developer's profits reached $25,000. In 2021, 669,000 apps were available in the store. Categories containing the largest number of apps are "Books and Reference", "Education", "Entertainment", and "Games". The majority of the app developers have one app.

History

The Web-based storefront

Microsoft previously maintained a similar digital distribution system for software known as Windows Marketplace, which allowed customers to purchase software online. The marketplace tracked product keys and licenses, allowing users to retrieve their purchases when switching computers.[3] Windows Marketplace was discontinued in November 2008.[4] At this point, Microsoft opened a Web-based storefront called "Microsoft Store".[5]

Windows 8

Microsoft first announced Windows Store, a digital distribution service for Windows at its presentation during the Build developer conference on September 13, 2011.[6] Further details announced during the conference revealed that the store would be able to hold listings for both certified traditional Windows apps, as well as what were called "Metro-style apps" at the time: tightly-sandboxed software based on Microsoft design guidelines that are constantly monitored for quality and compliance. For consumers, Windows Store is intended to be the only way to obtain Metro-style apps.[7][8] While announced alongside the "Developer Preview" release of Windows 8, Windows Store itself did not become available until the "Consumer Preview", released in February 2012.[9][10]

Updates to apps published on the store after July 1, 2023, won't be available to Windows 8 RTM users. Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, Windows 8 will be unsupported in January 2023.

Windows 8.1

An updated version of Windows Store was introduced in Windows 8.1. Its home page was remodeled to display apps in focused categories (such as popular, recommended, top free and paid, and special offers) with expanded details, while the ability for apps to automatically update was also added.[11] Windows 8.1 Update also introduced other notable presentation changes, including increasing the top app lists to return 1000 apps instead of 100 apps, a "picks for you" section, and changing the default sorting for reviews to be by "most popular".

Updates to apps published on the Store after July 1, 2023, will not be available to Windows 8.1. Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, Windows 8.1 will be unsupported in January 2023.[12]

Windows 10

Windows 10 was released with an updated version of the Windows Store, which merged Microsoft's other distribution platforms (Windows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Video and Xbox Music) into a unified store front for Windows 10 on all platforms, offering apps, games, music, film, TV series,[13][14] themes,[15] and ebooks.[16] In June 2017, Spotify became available in the Windows Store.[17][18]

Get it from Microsoft badge

In September 2017, Microsoft began to re-brand Windows Store as Microsoft Store, with a new icon carrying the Microsoft logo.[19] Xbox Store was merged into this new version of the platform.[20] This is in line with Microsoft's platform convergence strategy on all Windows 10-based operating systems.

Web apps and traditional desktop software can be packaged for distribution on Windows Store. Desktop software distributed through Windows Store are packaged using the App-V system to allow sandboxing.[21][22]

In February 2018, Microsoft announced that Progressive Web Apps would begin to be available in the Microsoft Store, and Microsoft would automatically add selected quality progressive web apps through the Bing crawler or allow developers to submit Progressive Web Apps to the Microsoft Store.[23][24]

Starting from Windows 10 version 1803, fonts can be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Store.[25]

Windows 11

In Windows 11, Microsoft Store received an updated user interface, and a new pop-up designed to handle installation links from websites. Microsoft also announced a number of changes to its policies for application submissions to improve flexibility and make the store more "open", including supporting "any kind of app, regardless of app framework and packaging technology", and the ability for developers to freely use first- or third-party payment platforms (in non-game software only)[26] rather than those provided by Microsoft.[27][28][29]

Windows Server

Windows Store is available in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 but is not installed by default.[30] It's unavailable in Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019. However, UWP apps can be acquired from Microsoft Store for Business (formerly Windows Store for Business) and installed through sideloading.[31][32]

Store features

Microsoft Store is the primary means of distributing Windows Store apps to users. Although sideloading apps from outside the store are supported, out-of-box sideloading support on Windows 8 is only available on the Enterprise edition of Windows 8 running on computers that have joined a Windows domain. Sideloading on Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro, and on Windows 8 Enterprise computers without a domain affiliation, requires the purchase of additional licenses through volume licensing.[33] Windows 10 removes this requirement, allowing users to freely enable or disable sideloading.[34]

Initially, Microsoft took a 30% cut of app sales until it reached US$25,000 in revenue, after which the cut dropped to 20%. On January 1, 2015, the reduction in cut at $25,000 was removed, and Microsoft takes a 30% cut of all app purchases, regardless of overall sales.[35] Third-party transactions are also allowed, of which Microsoft does not take a cut.[36] In early 2019, Microsoft lets app developers get 95% of app revenues, while Microsoft will only take 5% but only if user will download the app through a direct URL.[37] Microsoft discontinued that option in 2020.[38] Individual developers are able to register for US$19 and companies for US$99.[39] As of August 1, 2021, Microsoft will reduce its cut to 12% for app sales.[40]

Windows apps and games

In 2015, over 669,000 apps were available on the store, including apps for Windows NT, Windows Phone, and UWP apps, which work on both platforms.[41] Categories containing the largest number of apps are "Games", "Entertainment", "Books and Reference", and "Education". The majority of the app developers have one app.[42] Both free and paid apps can be distributed through Microsoft Store, with paid apps ranging in cost from US$0.99 to $999.99. Developers from 120 countries can submit apps to Microsoft Store.[43] Apps may support any of 109 languages, as long as they support one of 12 app certification languages.[44][45][46]

Starting in February 2016 with Rise of the Tomb Raider, it was the exclusive store for Microsoft published Xbox games on Windows.[47] With the launch of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft moved its published Xbox games on Windows to a dedicated Xbox app offering modding support and other features.[48]

Movies and TV shows
See also: Microsoft Movies & TV

Movies and television shows are available for purchase or rental, depending on availability.

Content can be played on the Microsoft Movies & TV app (available for Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox X/S), or Xbox Video app (available for Windows 8/RT PCs and tablets, and Windows Phone 8). In the United States, a Microsoft account can be linked to the Movies Anywhere digital locker service (separate registration required), which allows purchased content to be played on other platforms (e.g MacOS, Android, iOS).

Microsoft Movies & TV is currently available in the following 21 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The purchase of TV shows is not currently supported in Belgium.[49]

Music
See also: Groove Music

On October 2, 2017, Microsoft announced that the sale of digital music on the Microsoft Store would cease on December 31 after the discontinuation of Groove Music Pass. Users were able to transfer their music to Spotify until January 31, 2018.

Books

Books bought from the Microsoft Store were formerly accessible on the EdgeHTML-based Microsoft Edge. The ability to open ePub e-books was removed during the shift to the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

On April 2, 2019, Microsoft announced that the sale of e-books on the Microsoft Store had ceased. Due to DRM licenses that would not be renewed, all books became inaccessible by July 2019, and Microsoft automatically refunded all users that had purchased books via the service.[50][2]

Guidelines and developers

Similar to Windows Phone Store, Microsoft Store is regulated by Microsoft. Applicants must obtain Microsoft's approval before their app becomes available on the store. These apps may not contain, support or approve, gratuitous profanity, obscenity, pornography, discrimination, defamation, or politically offensive content. They may also not contain contents that are forbidden by or offensive to the jurisdiction, religion or norms of the target market. They may also not encourage, facilitate or glamorize violence, drugs, tobacco, alcohol and weapons.[51][52] Video game console emulators that are "primarily gaming experiences or target Xbox One"[52] and third-party web browsers that use their own layout engines, are prohibited on Microsoft Store.[53]

Microsoft has indicated that it can remotely disable or remove apps from end-user systems for security or legal reasons; in the case of paid apps, refunds may be issued when this is done.[54]

Microsoft initially banned PEGI "18"-rated content from the store in Europe. However, critics noted that this made the content policies stricter than intended, as some PEGI 18-rated games are rated "Mature" on the U.S. ESRB system, which is the next lowest before its highest rating, "Adults Only". The guidelines were amended in December 2012 to remove the discrepancy.[55]

On October 8, 2020, Microsoft announced a commitment to ten "principles" of fairness to developers in the operation of the Microsoft Store. These include transparency over its rules, practices, and Windows' "interoperability interfaces", not preventing competing application storefronts to run on Windows, charging developers "reasonable fees" and not "forc[ing]" them to include in-app purchases, allowing access to the store by any developer as long as their software meets "objective standards and requirements", not blocking apps based on their business model, how it delivers its services, or how it processes payments, not impeding developers from "communicating directly with their users through their apps for legitimate business purposes", not using private data from the store to influence the development of competing for software by Microsoft, and holding its own software to the same standards as others on the store. The announcement came in the wake of a lawsuits against Apple, Inc. and Google LLC by Epic Games over alleged anticompetitive practices conducted by their own application stores.[56]

With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft announced that it would not require software (excluding games) distributed via Microsoft Store to use its own payment platforms, and that it will also allow third-party storefronts (such as Amazon Appstore—which will be used for its Android app support, and Epic Games Store) to offer their clients for download via Microsoft Store.[26][57]

Developer tools

In addition to the user facing Microsoft Store client, the store also has a developer portal with which developers can interact. The Windows developer portal has the following sections for each app:

  • App Summary - An overview page of a given app, including a downloads chart, quality chart, financial summary, and a sales chart.
  • App Adoption - A page that shows adoption of the app, including conversions, referrers, and downloads.
  • App Ratings - A ratings breakdown, as well as the ability to filter reviews by region.
  • App Quality - An overview page showcasing exceptions that have occurred in the app.
  • App Finance - A page where a developer can download all transactions related to their app.

Microsoft Store provides developer tools for tracking apps in the store.[58]

The dashboard also presents a detailed breakdown of users by market, age, and region, as well as charts on the number of downloads, purchases, and average time spent in an app.

See also

References
  1. "Windows 11 Insider Preview Beta チャンネルに Microsoft Store バージョン 22202.1402.2.0 が降りてきました。 - 私のPC自作部屋". blog.goo.ne.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  2. Lee, Dave (April 4, 2019). "When this eBook store closes, your books disappear too". BBC. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  3. "Microsoft Adds Digital Locker To Windows Marketplace". CRN. The Channel Company. August 28, 2006. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  4. Leonhard, Woody (July 6, 2010). "What do we really know about Windows 8?". InfoWorld. IDG. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  5. Chandran, Chakkaradeep (December 12, 2008). "Microsoft: Closing your digital locker account". Neowin. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  6. "Keynote #1 | BUILD2011 | Channel 9". Channel 9. September 13, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  7. "Microsoft talks Windows Store features, Metro app sandboxing for Windows 8 developers". The Verge. Vox Media. May 17, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  8. Rosoff, Matt. "Here's Everything You Wanted To Know About Microsoft's Upcoming iPad Killers". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  9. "Windows 8 Developer Preview Available Tonight". PC Magazine. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  10. "13 New Features in Windows 8 Consumer Preview". PC World. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  11. Thurrott, Paul (June 17, 2013). "In Blue: Windows Store 2.0". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  12. Popa, Bogdan (April 19, 2019). "Microsoft Kills Off Windows 8 App Updates Earlier than Anticipated". softpedia. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  13. LeBlanc, Brandon (April 9, 2015). "Delivering a single unified Store experience in Windows 10". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
  14. LeBlanc, Brandon (July 6, 2015). "Updates to Entertainment in Windows 10". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
  15. Sarkar, Dona (January 12, 2017). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 15007 for PC and Mobile". Windows Experience Bog. Microsoft.
  16. Sarkar, Dona (January 19, 2017). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 15014 for PC and Mobile". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
  17. Warren, Tom (June 20, 2017). "Spotify is now available in the Windows Store". The Verge. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  18. Cakebread, Caroline. "You can now get Spotify in the Windows Store". Business Insider. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  19. Warren, Tom (September 22, 2017). "Windows Store rebranded to Microsoft Store in Windows 10". The Verge. Vox Media.
  20. "Xbox Store rebranding to 'Microsoft Store' on Xbox One". Windows Central. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  21. Peter, Bright (March 3, 2015). "Microsoft's next attempt to fill the Windows 10 app gap: Web app apps". Ars Technica. Condé Nast.
  22. Foley, Mary Jo (April 29, 2015). "Here's how Microsoft hopes to get Android and iOS phone apps into its Windows 10 Store". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
  23. "Microsoft is turning Progressive Web Apps into Windows apps". The Verge. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  24. "Welcoming Progressive Web Apps to Microsoft Edge and Windows 10". Microsoft Edge Dev Blog. February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  25. "Here's what's new in Windows 10 April 2018 Update 18 – Page 18". ZDNet. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  26. Peters, Jay (June 24, 2021). "Microsoft will let devs keep every penny their Windows app makes — unless it's a game". The Verge. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  27. Blog, Windows Experience (June 24, 2021). "Building a new, open Microsoft Store on Windows 11". Windows Experience Blog. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  28. Warren, Tom (April 29, 2021). "Microsoft shakes up PC gaming by reducing Windows store cut to just 12 percent". The Verge. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  29. Hollister, Sean (June 24, 2021). "Microsoft reveals the new Microsoft Store for Windows 11, and it has Android apps, too". The Verge. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  30. "Managing Privacy: Windows Store and Resulting Internet Communication". TechNet. Microsoft. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  31. Benisch, Derk (October 4, 2016). "Appreciating the Windows Server 2016 Desktop Experience". Nano Server blog. Microsoft.
  32. Savill, John (October 5, 2016). "Get Universal Applications on Windows Server 2016". Windows IT Pro. Penton. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  33. "How to Add and Remove Apps". TechNet. Microsoft. May 31, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2012. To enable sideloading on a Windows 8 Enterprise computer that is not domain-joined or on any Windows® 8 Pro computer, you must use a sideloading product activation key. To enable sideloading on a Windows® RT device, you must use a sideloading product activation key. For more information about sideloading product activation keys, see Microsoft Volume Licensing.
  34. "How to sideload apps in Windows 10". CNET. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  35. "Microsoft Changes Windows Phone Developer Agreement, Takes Bigger Cut". UberGizmo. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  36. "Making money with your apps through the Windows Store". Windows Store for developers. Microsoft. July 20, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  37. "Microsoft Store Revenue Now Gives Developers A 95% Cut, On One Condition". March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  38. Microsoft is apparently canceling its 95% revenue share program. https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-is-apparently-canceling-its-95-revenue-share-program
  39. Brix, Todd (November 6, 2013). "Unifying Developer Registration". Windows App Builder Blog. Microsoft.
  40. Warren, Tom (April 29, 2021). "Microsoft shakes up PC gaming by reducing Windows store cut to just 12 percent". The Verge. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  41. "Microsoft by the numbers". Archived from the original on May 5, 2018.
  42. "appfeds.com". www.afternic.com.
  43. Wilhelm, Alex (September 11, 2012). "The Windows Store is now accepting open app submissions from developers in 120 countries". The Next Web. The Next Web Inc. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  44. O'Brien, Terrence (April 18, 2012). "Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  45. Leblond, Antoine (April 18, 2012). "Windows Store expanding to new markets". Windows Store for developers. Microsoft. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  46. Kerr, Dara (April 18, 2012). "Microsoft's Windows Store goes global with 33 more countries". CNET News. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  47. "Move over Steam: Microsoft planning to make Windows Store the main distribution channel for PC games - MSPoweruser". mspoweruser.com. February 20, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  48. Minor, Jordan (November 23, 2021). "With Windows 11, Microsoft Makes Every PC an Xbox". PCMag UK. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  49. "Microsoft Movies & TV | Official site". www.microsoft.com.
  50. Etienne, Stefan (April 2, 2019). "Microsoft stops selling ebooks and will refund customers for previous purchases". The Verge. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  51. "Windows Store Policies". MSDN. Microsoft. March 29, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  52. "Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops". Ars Technica. April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  53. Bott, Ed (March 10, 2017). "Google Chrome won't be allowed on Windows 10 S". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
  54. Keizer, Gregg (December 8, 2011). "Microsoft: We can remotely delete Windows 8 apps". Computerworld. IDG. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  55. Kerr, Dara (October 25, 2012). "Microsoft reverses 'Mature' games ban in Euro Windows Store". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  56. Warren, Tom (October 8, 2020). "Microsoft hits out at Apple with its new Windows app store policies". The Verge. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  57. Warren, Tom (September 28, 2021). "Microsoft opens its Windows store up to third-party app stores". The Verge. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  58. "Using the Windows Store Dashboard apps". May 17, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.