What you need to know
- Microsoft launches redesigned website for the Windows app store.
- It now includes listings for unpackaged Win32 apps.
- It also uses Windows 11's new mini-install popup dialog.
Microsoft has launched a new web front for its new app store experience that first debuted on Windows 11. Spotted by FireCubeStudios on Twitter, The new website allows users to visit app product pages on devices that don't have the Microsoft Store app installed, such as your phone and tablet, and makes it easy to share links to your favorite apps with other people.
Additionally, the new website also supports the Microsoft Store's new mini-install prompt. When you click "Install" from the website on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, a native Windows prompt will appear asking you to confirm your download, and the app will begin to install without taking you to the full version of the Microsoft Store app.
The experience is pretty seamless, and third-party developers can also use this mini-install prompt on their own websites if they so wish. The new Microsoft Store app website is the first place we've seen that's using it, so hopefully more websites follow.
Taking a closer look at the website, it appears to provide most of the same information as the native Microsoft Store app on Windows does. This means you can see app product images, ratings and reviews, but not app specification requirements. The new web front can be accessed at apps.microsoft.com from any device with a web browser.
The old web-version of the Windows app store didn't include listings for the new unpackaged Win32 applications that first debuted on Windows 11. This new one thankfully does. Curiously, this web front doesn't list movies or games, just apps. Perhaps Microsoft expects users to continue using the main Microsoft website for that content.
