What is Microsoft Store and how can I use it in Windows 10

What is Microsoft Store and how can I use it on Windows 10. Here is an overview and guide to the Microsoft Store in Windows 10.

What is the Microsoft Store

Microsoft Store is a digital showcase for Windows users. It offers all kinds of digital content to download in one place, some free and some for a fee. You can consider it similar to Google Play for Android users and Apple’s App Store.

How can I access the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is included in Windows 10 by default. Just open the Start menu and search for the store to find the Microsoft Store app or click on the envelope icon with the windows symbol in the taskbar.

If you do not use a Microsoft account to log in to Windows 10, you can still browse and install most of the free apps. But you will have to log in to download paid content.

You can also browse the web version of the Microsoft Store, which includes additional items. There is also a Web Store page for Windows apps.

How Microsoft Store works

After opening the Microsoft Store, you will see the Home page. This shows discounts, new apps and things like that.

If you are interested in a certain type of content, use the tabs above to change category. If not, you can use the search function at the top right to find what you are looking for.

Most features should be familiar to anyone who has used another app store. You’ll see a brief description and rating at the top of each app page, as well as related app screens and reviews further down the page. The store also shows on which devices the app works, as some work on Xbox One or Microsoft HoloLens.

To download a free app, click Get. Paid apps require you to sign in with your Microsoft account and use the payment method you set up. Once you’ve downloaded the app, search for it by searching the Start menu.

What the Windows Store offers

You might think that the Store offers only apps, but there is still much more to browse. Microsoft has combined many services in one place.

Microsoft Store therefore offers the following content categories:

App: you will find both Store versions of famous apps like iTunes and VLC and exclusive apps for Microsoft Store.
Games: Along with casual games like those found on smartphones, the Microsoft Store is home to many titles that are cross-compatible with Xbox One. Thanks to the Xbox Play Anywhere service, you can buy them once and play on both platforms.

Devices: Here you will find the hardware, including Microsoft’s Surface devices, Mixed Reality earphones, Xbox controllers and more.
Film and TV: as the name suggests, this card allows you to browse all types of TV and movie content. You can buy or rent both in SD and in HD. For TV series, you can buy single episodes or entire seasons.
Books: You can purchase books and read them using Edge on your desktop or mobile phone.
Edge Extensions: Microsoft Edge supports a limited number of extensions compared to its competitors, find and install it here.

The store offered music once through Microsoft’s Groove Music service, but is no longer in circulation. Instead, Microsoft recommends using Spotify.

There is not much to discuss about the Books, Movies or TV categories. If you do not already use another service (like iTunes, Google Play or Amazon) for these types of digital content, then it’s worth taking a look at the Store.

Microsoft Store Menu: Accounts and Settings

Click the three-point menu button in the upper right corner of the Microsoft Store app to find some options.

Choose Download and updates to check the latest versions of your apps. The Store will automatically update them in the background, but it’s not a bad idea to manually check them once in a while.

In Settings, you can disable automatic app updates, disable password protection for purchases, and more.

My library allows you to control all the apps and games you have, which you have installed on your system or are ready to install. Choose View Account or Payment Options to review them on the Microsoft account site.