In an intriguing development for Windows users, a new feature in the web version of the Microsoft Store has emerged, allowing for the simultaneous installation of multiple applications. This feature, discovered by a user known as ChangeWindows on X, presents a streamlined approach to app management, enabling users to create custom groups of applications from a selection of 48 options categorized into six distinct groups: Productivity, Creativity, Social, Entertainment, Tools & Utilities, and Personalization.
Streamlined Installation Process
Users can select up to 16 apps by simply checking the boxes next to their desired choices. With a click on the “Install Selected” button, a single executable file is downloaded, which then initiates the installation of all selected applications in one go. This functionality is currently exclusive to the web version of the Microsoft Store, leaving the desktop app on Windows 11 without this convenient feature.
During a hands-on test, I selected six applications—Canva, Speedtest by Ookla, Instagram, Wallpaper by SuperFizz, ChatGPT, and Netflix. Upon executing the downloaded file, the Microsoft Store app on my PC opened, and the installation process began seamlessly. Notably, Canva installed so swiftly that it was not captured in the screenshot.
App Categories and Selection
The range of applications available for this multi-install feature, while not exhaustive, includes several well-known names. The categories are as follows:
- Productivity: Teams, Zoom, ChatGPT, OneNote, iCloud, Dropbox
- Creativity: Canva, Photoshop, OBS Studio, Audacity
- Social: WhatsApp, Discord, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn
- Entertainment: Spotify, Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV
- Tools & Utilities: Speedtest, USB installer Rufus, Nvidia Control panel
- Personalization: Various wallpaper apps, including Lively Wallpaper and Bing Wallpaper
This new feature bears resemblance to Ninite, a third-party multi-install tool that offers around 120 applications across 15 categories. However, unlike Microsoft’s solution, Ninite operates independently, utilizing a custom downloader and installer executable based on user selections.
Comparative Analysis
Ninite boasts a broader and more diverse array of applications, including popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, messaging tools such as Zoom and Teams, and essential utilities like VLC, Winamp, GIMP, and Notepad++. Additionally, it provides various versions of .NET and Java runtimes, along with archive tools like 7-Zip and WinRAR.
While the potential of Microsoft’s multi-app installation feature is evident, particularly for IT professionals deploying applications across multiple systems or users wishing to transfer their favorite apps to a new device, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will expand this capability. Currently, Ninite stands as the more comprehensive option, but with Microsoft’s established presence in the app ecosystem, there is the possibility for a more robust offering in the future.
We have reached out to Microsoft for insights regarding plans to enhance its multi-app functionality or to integrate it into the desktop version of the store. Updates will follow upon receiving a response.
