Windows Store Archives

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Microsoft Store ditches fees for indie devs

Microsoft has announced that individual developers can now publish their applications in the Microsoft Store without incurring any fees, eliminating the previous requirement of a one-time payment. The process has been streamlined, as developers no longer need to provide a credit card to publish their apps. This change applies to over 200 markets and was hinted at during the Build 2025 conference. While individual accounts can publish for free, company accounts still require a one-time fee. Developers must have a Microsoft account, provide identification, submit a selfie for verification, and fill out additional details to register. The Microsoft Store has evolved since its launch in 2012, now supporting various app formats and allowing developers to host apps on their own servers. Popular applications available in the store include Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify.

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Microsoft Waives Onboarding Fees for Indie Developers in Store

Microsoft has announced the elimination of onboarding fees for individual developers wishing to publish apps on its Microsoft Store, effective September 2025. This change removes the previous registration fee and the requirement for a credit card, making it easier for independent creators to distribute their software on Windows 10 and 11 devices. The updated signup process will only require a Microsoft account. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of the store and attract more developers, particularly solo developers, by lowering financial barriers. While enterprise developers will still face fees, the move is expected to invigorate the Windows app economy and encourage innovation. Developer feedback has been positive, with many expressing excitement about the ease of registration and publishing opportunities.

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Microsoft waives fees for Windows devs publishing to Microsoft Store

Microsoft has eliminated registration fees for individual Windows developers to publish applications on the Microsoft Store, allowing submissions of various application types without costs. The company will manage the hosting and signing of applications, enabling developers to package apps as MSIX and alleviating the need for their own content delivery networks. Microsoft will also sign apps for free and deliver updates automatically. Developers can implement their own in-app payment systems for non-gaming applications, retaining all revenue. To publish applications, developers must verify their identity with a government-issued ID and a selfie. This change aims to create a more inclusive platform for developers. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned to support a variety of application types and has over 250 million monthly active users.

Winsage

September 10, 2025

Windows developers can now publish apps to Microsoft’s store without fees

Microsoft has eliminated one-time fees for developers to publish apps on its Windows Store, allowing developers from nearly 200 countries to submit applications using a personal Microsoft account. This change follows a gradual reduction of onboarding fees that began in June for select markets and is now extended globally. Microsoft aims to create a more inclusive platform for developers, who can now leverage the store for various types of applications, including Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET, MAUI, and Electron apps. Developers can also use their own in-app commerce systems, retaining 100 percent of their revenues from non-gaming applications. The Microsoft Store currently has over 250 million monthly active users.

AppWizard

August 23, 2025

Windows 11 Build 26200 Enables Android App Resumption on PCs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 in the Dev Channel, allowing users to resume Android app sessions on Windows PCs through the Start menu for linked devices. This update enhances AI capabilities, particularly for devices with Copilot+ hardware, and introduces an upgraded energy saver mode. It addresses issues like intermittent crashes in File Explorer and improves compatibility with third-party antivirus software. The update encourages cross-platform app development and aims to streamline workflows in enterprise environments. Microsoft has noted potential audio glitches on certain hardware and is gathering user feedback for further improvements.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

35 years of Microsoft Solitaire: An illustrated history of the game’s evolution

Microsoft Solitaire has been played by over 500 million players worldwide since its launch in 1990 as part of Windows 3.0. It was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019. The game has been localized into 65 languages and is available on various devices, despite no longer being pre-installed on Windows computers. Originally designed to help users learn mouse functionality, Solitaire became a popular choice for players seeking a break from daily life. With the release of Windows XP in 2001, online competition emerged, but traditional Solitaire remained popular. In 2015, Microsoft released Solitaire as a downloadable app within the Windows Store, including classic modes and new challenges. The game has inspired various adaptations and alternatives, while some players, like Ariana Torrey, continue to appreciate its nostalgic simplicity.

Winsage

August 14, 2025

Microsoft connects Xbox Game Pass, Windows on Arm PCs for local gaming

Microsoft is testing a new feature that allows local gaming on Windows on Arm PCs through the Xbox app, specifically for devices powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor. The update (version 2508.1001.27.0 and higher) is available to Windows Insiders and Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview, enabling access to games from the Windows Store and Xbox Game Pass for PC. Previously, users could only game via cloud services. The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon X Elite has limitations, with games like Control running at about 40 frames per second on low settings, and many titles struggling to maintain playable frame rates. Older games perform better, with DOTA 2 averaging 52.8 frames per second on low settings but dropping to 9.8 frames per second during intense gameplay. The Xbox app streamlines game downloads via Microsoft’s Game Pass, and there are expectations for improved performance with the next-generation Snapdragon.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

The Microsoft Store on Windows 11 is actually great now — here’s why you should be using it in 2025

The Microsoft Store was launched as the "Windows Store" with Windows 8 in 2012, initially struggling to gain traction. It was rebranded as the "Microsoft Store" during the Windows 10 era and saw significant improvements with the launch of Windows 11 in 2021. The store now features a user-friendly interface, a diverse selection of applications, and allows legacy and desktop-class Windows applications without strict compliance requirements for developers. The app listings are responsive, and the homepage suggests apps based on user preferences. Popular applications available include Opera, Firefox, Adobe Creative Cloud, OBS Studio, and Paint.NET, although Google Chrome is not available. The Microsoft Store provides a safer environment for app discovery compared to web search engines and does not require a Microsoft Account for many downloads. Enhancements have also been made for Windows 10 users.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Microsoft 365 installs via Windows Store will stop getting updates

Microsoft is phasing out the Microsoft Store installation type for its Office applications in favor of the Click-to-Run model. New feature updates for Microsoft 365 apps via the Store will cease in October 2025, and security updates for this installation type will end in December 2026. Users are encouraged to migrate to Click-to-Run to maintain access to new features and security enhancements. Microsoft 365 applications can be installed through two methods: the Microsoft Store, which uses the Appx packaging format, and Click-to-Run, which employs a proprietary streaming .exe installer. Click-to-Run offers a virtualized application environment and is optimized for cloud-based management, particularly for enterprise customers. The transition to Click-to-Run reflects Microsoft's focus on enterprise solutions, emphasizing speed, scalability, and administrative control. Users can check their installation type by opening a Microsoft 365 application and navigating to File > Account. Upgrading from the Microsoft Store to Click-to-Run involves downloading the Office Deployment Tool, which removes the Store version and reinstalls Office using Click-to-Run. Regular users will see newer features without needing a new license, while IT administrators will benefit from streamlined deployment and enhanced control over updates and policies.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

What changes are European regulations bringing to Windows?

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Windows operating systems in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect in March 2024. Starting in June 2025, Windows 10 and 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have the option to uninstall pre-installed applications, including the Windows Store. The process for setting third-party browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, as the default will be simplified, moving away from the default Edge browser. Microsoft will also stop incentivizing users to switch to Edge by removing pop-up prompts. Additionally, users will be able to select alternative news feeds within taskbar widgets. These changes aim to enhance user control and promote competition within the Windows ecosystem.