You Can Now Install—and Update—Microsoft Store Apps Using the Command Line

Opening the Microsoft Store has often been a frustrating experience for users, characterized by slow loading times, a confusing interface, and an abundance of irrelevant advertisements. However, a recent announcement from Microsoft has introduced a refreshing alternative that may change the way users interact with the Store altogether.

Command Line Convenience

Last week, Microsoft unveiled a new command line interface for the Microsoft Store, accessible through PowerShell by simply typing “store.” For those who may encounter issues, ensuring that all current Windows 11 updates are installed is a prerequisite for functionality.

Upon successful entry, users are greeted with an engaging display of ASCII art alongside a list of sub-commands. This innovative feature allows for seamless searching, installing, and updating of software with minimal keystrokes. Drawing parallels to the experiences of Linux users accustomed to command line installations, this new interface brings a level of efficiency previously unseen in mainstream commercial operating systems.

Microsoft’s implementation stands out for its user-friendliness. For instance, users need not remember the exact name of an application to install it. During a trial of this new interface, a simple command like “store install firefox” yielded positive results. The tool efficiently searched the store, identified the application likely matching the query, and confirmed the developer—Mozilla, in this case—before proceeding with the installation.

This ease of use is a significant improvement over similar services, which often require precise naming conventions to avoid errors. While there are limitations—such as the inability to install applications not available in the Microsoft Store, including popular options like Google Chrome and Paint.net—the breadth of available applications is still substantial. Users can explore the store further by typing “store search” followed by their query, or gain insights into specific applications with “store show” and the application name.

Additionally, the command “store browse-apps” opens the door to various categories, including bestsellers, allowing users to navigate the Store more efficiently. Collectively, these commands empower users to accomplish nearly everything they would through the traditional Microsoft Store interface, but at a significantly faster pace.

Perhaps the most compelling feature is the ability to manage updates effortlessly. A single command, “store updates,” reveals all applications from the Store that require updating, allowing users to install them collectively or update individual applications with “store update” followed by the app’s name.

As users delve deeper into this new command line tool, its potential to streamline software installation on Windows becomes increasingly evident. It’s an invitation to explore a more efficient way of managing applications, and many may find it becomes their preferred method for software installation.