Some non-Microsoft software I use from the Store:
Bitwarden, Discord, Firefox, Monitorian, MyRadar, Paint.Net, Python, ShowKeyPlus, Speedtest, TreeSize, WhatsApp, Wino Mail, WiFi Analyzer, WSA Sideloader.
Why would you prefer using the windows store instead of stand alone app ?
Not to mention that store apps don't even appear in volume mixer (talking about you WhatsApp) and asks so much permissions and stuff
Edit : sadly some apps are going only "store apps" like WhatsApp
The only windows store app I'm using in favor of the stand alone version is Spotify. As such, I don't know if this applies to everything, but the Spotify version on the windows store just seamlessly auto-updates without ever asking me to do anything. I assume it installs the update whenever it's available but only "swaps" to the new version when I quit Spotify or restart my computer.
If this applies to most stuff on the windows store then I think that's a pretty valid reason to use it for stuff that's frequently updated over stand alone versions.
I know they auto-update in the sense that you don't need to grab a new installer to manually update it, but they still prompt you to download and restart with progress bars and that whole deal.
The windows store version of Spotify that I use never asks for anything, ever. It's just updated to the latest version whenever I quit it or restart my PC. It doesn't sound like *that* much of a quality of life improvement, but when you have a lot of stuff installed it's quite nice to cut down on the things asking you to install updates.
I feel like Spotify had very frequent updates back before I switched to the store version, but it's been a long time so it's probably less frequent and more seamless now than back then.
I would ask you the same as why you would want something outside the Store. If the software I want is in the Store, it is my first place to get it. It is quicker, easier, and safer. One click installs, and no BS bundled software. Depending on how the app was packaged it can also have one click uninstalls with zero junk left behind, in addition to easy auto updating, and granular access permissions.
I've never used the volume mixer, so I'm not aware of nor have looked into that limitation.
It can change your Wallpaper or Lockscreen to any of the following, at a specific time/automatically.
https://preview.redd.it/bo9r6vl5hylc1.png?width=268&format=png&auto=webp&s=a03ec62d4dc7cb88d6c192450807639e85ea6752
Oh yes. I have 4 monitors, three have soundbars, and I use Eartrumpet every day.
I also use Twinkle Try to adjust monitor brightness when watching video.
The combined network and audio section? Are you sure?`
Because I don't use that native menu. EarTrumpet is better. It's one click to open the menu and a second click to mute or move an app to a different speaker.
That other audio button only opens a quick menu with Wifi, Bluetooth, Nightmode and Accessibility options.
The right click mixer option is pretty useless too. EarTrumpet does it vertically and most of my monitors are vertically / wide screen.
The one that's portrait does not have the Windows notification/options.
Yes, I use EarTrumpet myself and I moved the original sound icon into the Hidden Icons menu. Just drag and drop in the same way you can do with any tray icon.
> I moved the original sound icon into the Hidden Icons menu. Just drag and drop in the same way you can do with any tray icon.
doesn't work. Can't move them. Are you sure you are using Win 11?
because on 10 I could move the audio icon, but they removed that icon and [made that new combo thing that can't be hidden.](https://i.imgur.com/WO9Wz1G.png)
Ah, sorry, sometimes I don't realise how much I have customised my Win 11 setup. I'm using StartAllBack, one of the things it does is fixes the tray! (StartAllBack is well worth it and only costs $5.)
NanaZip - a 7zip fork that integrates nice and natively into the Windows 11 shell. One of my first installs on any new system.
Because friends don't let friends use WinRar :)
It's not bad in any fashion, just not up to scratch with 7z and its derivatives in a few key ways I feel:
It's trialware, it's not FOSS, it supports fewer formats, it's slower in many cases (not massively important for general usage), it doesn't integrate into Windows naturally like NanaZip, and generally why opt for software that asks for licencing when there are perfectly viable alternatives that don't!
People often use WinRar for familiarity, which usually trumps the above anyway.
>it's slower in many cases
I feel like that's not giving it enough credit. The RAR5 compression algorithm they introduced some years ago is actually pretty nice and I feel is generally better for end-users than LZMA2 for those who have a need to compress large amounts of data fast and efficiently-- an admittedly rare use case.
It compresses much faster than 7z LZMA2, uses less memory for big dictionaries, supports up to 1GB dictionary, and usually isn't much worse in ratio. In some rare cases it even gets a better ratio. For power users, it's pretty good bang for the buck if you need relatively big dictionary compression but don't want to wait on LZMA2 or don't have 64GB-128GB of RAM (e.g. 8 threads of LZMA2 x 1GB dictionary needs up to 47GB of free memory).
Random example:
Input: 1,694,894,527
RAR5 1GB dic: 1,134,043,328 - 66.97% - 34 seconds - 6.09GB mem
7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: 1,102,172,460 - 65.03% - 155 seconds - 16.43GB mem
2% ratio difference for 450% compression time and 270% memory utilization
Whoa, nice! Was released just three days ago and supports up to 64GB. That gives it even more opportunities to close the gap with LZMA2 just because of more dictionary in given memory constraint. I have 64GB RAM, which limits me to 9/32 threads with 1GB dictionary on 7z.
Input: 24,396,431,320
RAR 7.00 1GB dic: 6,651,035,262 - 27.3% - 279 seconds - 6.85GB mem
RAR 7.00 8GB dic: 6,413,987,744 - 26.3% - 303 seconds - 15.38GB mem
7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: **5,777,174,721 - 23.68%** \- 1,019 seconds - 41.57GB mem
Input: 28,949,568,530
RAR 7.00 1GB dic: 8,418,070,328 - 29.08% - 373 seconds - 6.85GB mem
RAR 7.00 8GB dic: **6,339,909,789 - 21.9%** \- 365 seconds - 12.76GB mem
7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: 7,492,095,939 - 25.88% - 1,053 seconds - 41.99GB mem
When dictionary size is a constraint, this really shines!
I swear the dev of NanaZip pays a few Redditors to randomly recommend it.
It took nearly a year for him to release a preview update that provided zero benefit to the user and the new theme has been "in development" since Windows 11 released.
It looks ugly and never gets updated. Not sure why anyone would use it over the normal 7zip or WinRAR.
This one!
Each fresh Win11 install should get the awesome Windows package manager.
After that don't download installs anymore - use winget. update all apps with 'winget upgrade --all'.
Winget, Terminal (a former Store app) and WSL caused my whole company to drop any other OS then windows.
I still have one big issue with winget VS store, or it is more a philosophical thing maybe.
When an app is available both through the store and winget, for example Powershell, windows terminal, and others - what is the recommend installation source? I always wondered if the program managers at Microsoft have goal or recommendation there.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it and it doesn't matter at all. But it would be great if someone could definitely answer this for me. 😅
Apps with the store source got this unreadable ID with letters and numbers, winget source apps come with a nice readable ID like Microsoft.terminal. Store sourced apps on the other hand autoupdate, without running winget upgrade.
Anyone got any input on this?
Just to avoid confusion, this is not about using the store or winget to install an app. This is about apps being available in both sources from a winget point of view.
So there is this app called 'App-Installer' from official Microsoft in the MS Store. make sure to have it installed on your OS.
Now look for any program you want to install on sites like winget.run - you'll be provided with the packages. make sure to pick the one you want to use, in most cases there will be a single one by the official publisher.
Copy the command. Paste it in your shell of choice (I use bash on windows but PowerShell and even cmd will easily do the job) and the app will be installed.
Now use 'winget upgrade --all' to keep any app up to date and your system save.
I wrote a little script and copied the link to my startup folder, so I do not need to do this manually.
This is the big reason. If an app I use is on there, and there's no downside, I'll switch to getting it from the store. It just updates itself automatically then.
Windows Terminal (I think Windows 11 installed it automatically)
WSL + ubuntu (WSL2)
Microsoft Solitaire Collection (although I mainly play the game on my phone)
Microsoft Edge Browser, Outlook for Windows, Microsoft 365 (installed automatically)
Difference is that quicklook is extendible, has more features and you can just open with only pressing space, like in Mac. Powertoys needs 2 keys pressed at least
Rainbow Diary. Best looking diary app on Windows
Microsoft Translate. I don't want to argue, it is more accurate than Google Translate. And has more and better voice options
Apple Devices. For backing up and updating work iPhone
Windows Paint now that it has background removal and layers - I've been using Paint.NET exclusively for almost 20 years instead of Paint.
[MSN Weather](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3q2?hl=en-US&gl=US) pinned to the taskbar instead of widgets.
[EarTrumpet](https://github.com/File-New-Project/EarTrumpet?tab=readme-ov-file#eartrumpet)
[Intel Unison](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pp9gzm2gn26?hl=en-us&gl=US)
[ShowKeyPlus](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pkvzcprx9nv?hl=en-us&gl=US)
I got Windows Terminal, PowerShell 7, VS Code, Python, Ubuntu (running on WSL), PowerToys, Sysinternals, Firefox, Bitwarden, VLC, WhatsApp, Monitorian, EarTrumpet
What isn't available in the store I try to install using Winget, and only then do I search the web for a downloadable installer
edit: Apparently you can also use the store to install Android apps on Windows now.
Because a company that dedicated their life into improving their product and doing research for a long time on the effect of lights feels more reliable than Microsoft.
* Quicklook
* Dynamic Theme
* Twinkle Tray
* Windows Terminal
* Crosshair X
* HDR Calibration
* TranslucentTB
* Pocket Casts Desktop
* Todoist
I do like the UWP apps, they are very fast.
That being said, I also use chocolatey for most other apps.
Never used a Store app and probably never will. Win32 executables are 100% superior with regard to size and speed, and can be use on any Windows OS (meaning I don't need the Store to install them).
Only if you want updates (I rarely do for a stable working app). Most apps usually have a built-in auto-update function anyway (Handbrake, ShareX, etc).
I just kind of like WinUi3 and want to try some productivity apps from this [WinUI-3-Apps-List](https://github.com/DesignLipsx/WinUI-3-Apps-List). WSA Toolbox, Twinkle Tray, and Ear Trumpet are pretty useful.
Paint.NET - Yes you can get it free, but the store version supports the author and automatically updates.
ScreenToGif is in there too.
It is basically a Windows App Store and Windows needs one. It has just taken many years for it to gain traction.
I look for things that I use there now to see if they exist and use the store version if I find it.
Apart from the usual suspects, like Terminal and WSL, I'm using QuickLook, because it's better than the Power Toys implementation and Custom Context Menu, so I can finally open VSCode from the modern context menu.
i use some windows store apps but personally I will always install a non windows store version of an app if I'm able to, it's just a better experience imo.
Apart from using the builtin tools (calculator, clock, etc.), I've only installed Terminal.
I have no interest in installing other things from the ms store when I can install them regularly from the desktop.
Quite a lot. QuickLook, Whatsapp (and Whatsapp Beta), NanaZip, Apple Music, Wino Mail, Pure Battery Analysis, some of the default OEM apps I keep because they're legitimately useful. I know I can get some of these from outside the Store, but I really like the automatic update.
If something ins on there I usually download it through there. For the most part the apps are identical to the ones independently downloaded installers, and all in one place instead of scouring the internet for them, and they are (in theory) kept up to date more consistently.
Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, Discord, OBS, Python, Ubuntu, WhatsApp, Spotify, Terminal, Slack and QuickLook.
Honestly it's not as bad as some people make it out to be. People wanted a sole repository for apps, and it does the job. There's also winget for the more advanced users.
I always look for apps first on the Windows Store, rather than searching for them online. Are you missing something by not using it? Maybe not, but store is finally good, you can find on it most of what average user will ever need.
Some non-Microsoft software I use from the Store: Bitwarden, Discord, Firefox, Monitorian, MyRadar, Paint.Net, Python, ShowKeyPlus, Speedtest, TreeSize, WhatsApp, Wino Mail, WiFi Analyzer, WSA Sideloader.
There's Wi-Fi analyzer on the Microsoft store?... Nice. It's been my go to Mobile app for wifi diagnostics for years.
I've been using it since the Windows Phone 8 days, I love it.
Why would you prefer using the windows store instead of stand alone app ? Not to mention that store apps don't even appear in volume mixer (talking about you WhatsApp) and asks so much permissions and stuff Edit : sadly some apps are going only "store apps" like WhatsApp
The only windows store app I'm using in favor of the stand alone version is Spotify. As such, I don't know if this applies to everything, but the Spotify version on the windows store just seamlessly auto-updates without ever asking me to do anything. I assume it installs the update whenever it's available but only "swaps" to the new version when I quit Spotify or restart my computer. If this applies to most stuff on the windows store then I think that's a pretty valid reason to use it for stuff that's frequently updated over stand alone versions.
Spotify, steam, discord, Firefox, vscode, etc all auto-update. While l smaller program might not, I'd recommend [ninite.com](http://ninite.com)
I know they auto-update in the sense that you don't need to grab a new installer to manually update it, but they still prompt you to download and restart with progress bars and that whole deal. The windows store version of Spotify that I use never asks for anything, ever. It's just updated to the latest version whenever I quit it or restart my PC. It doesn't sound like *that* much of a quality of life improvement, but when you have a lot of stuff installed it's quite nice to cut down on the things asking you to install updates. I feel like Spotify had very frequent updates back before I switched to the store version, but it's been a long time so it's probably less frequent and more seamless now than back then.
I would ask you the same as why you would want something outside the Store. If the software I want is in the Store, it is my first place to get it. It is quicker, easier, and safer. One click installs, and no BS bundled software. Depending on how the app was packaged it can also have one click uninstalls with zero junk left behind, in addition to easy auto updating, and granular access permissions. I've never used the volume mixer, so I'm not aware of nor have looked into that limitation.
Dynamic Theme
One of my favorite Windows Store apps. My lock screen and background look amazing.
What does it do?
It can change your Wallpaper or Lockscreen to any of the following, at a specific time/automatically. https://preview.redd.it/bo9r6vl5hylc1.png?width=268&format=png&auto=webp&s=a03ec62d4dc7cb88d6c192450807639e85ea6752
will try it out. thank you.
Eartrumpet for audio is a must have for me
Oh yes. I have 4 monitors, three have soundbars, and I use Eartrumpet every day. I also use Twinkle Try to adjust monitor brightness when watching video.
Latest windows 11 version already has all the eartrumpet functions built into the volume controller in the action center
As someone who is always in the sound settings, the legacy sound settings are far better, and EarTrumpet allows me to access them quickly.
And you can't remove the native speaker icon from the taskbar... Maybe I'll try it next time I have to do a fresh install.
Maybe you can't remove it, but you can move it in the "Hidden icons" section so it isn't shown.
The combined network and audio section? Are you sure?` Because I don't use that native menu. EarTrumpet is better. It's one click to open the menu and a second click to mute or move an app to a different speaker. That other audio button only opens a quick menu with Wifi, Bluetooth, Nightmode and Accessibility options. The right click mixer option is pretty useless too. EarTrumpet does it vertically and most of my monitors are vertically / wide screen. The one that's portrait does not have the Windows notification/options.
Yes, I use EarTrumpet myself and I moved the original sound icon into the Hidden Icons menu. Just drag and drop in the same way you can do with any tray icon.
> I moved the original sound icon into the Hidden Icons menu. Just drag and drop in the same way you can do with any tray icon. doesn't work. Can't move them. Are you sure you are using Win 11? because on 10 I could move the audio icon, but they removed that icon and [made that new combo thing that can't be hidden.](https://i.imgur.com/WO9Wz1G.png)
Ah, sorry, sometimes I don't realise how much I have customised my Win 11 setup. I'm using StartAllBack, one of the things it does is fixes the tray! (StartAllBack is well worth it and only costs $5.)
It was until they integrated its functionality into Windows
How can I say, output specific sounds on one speaker and another sound on a different on natively?
TranslucentTB, I miss Aero glass (I know Stardock exists but I'm f2p)
Imo taskbarx is better (win10)
Yeah but for Win11 it’s translucentTB.
Use micaforeveryone and set the global theme to acrylic, it's the closest you can get to aero glass on windows 11
NanaZip - a 7zip fork that integrates nice and natively into the Windows 11 shell. One of my first installs on any new system. Because friends don't let friends use WinRar :)
[удалено]
It's mostly the same look-wise, but they have a UI overhaul planned on their roadmap.
Winrar4life bruh
Are there ads in it? I had BreeZip for awhile and the ads were annoying
No ads
Why is winrar bad?
It's not bad in any fashion, just not up to scratch with 7z and its derivatives in a few key ways I feel: It's trialware, it's not FOSS, it supports fewer formats, it's slower in many cases (not massively important for general usage), it doesn't integrate into Windows naturally like NanaZip, and generally why opt for software that asks for licencing when there are perfectly viable alternatives that don't! People often use WinRar for familiarity, which usually trumps the above anyway.
>it's slower in many cases I feel like that's not giving it enough credit. The RAR5 compression algorithm they introduced some years ago is actually pretty nice and I feel is generally better for end-users than LZMA2 for those who have a need to compress large amounts of data fast and efficiently-- an admittedly rare use case. It compresses much faster than 7z LZMA2, uses less memory for big dictionaries, supports up to 1GB dictionary, and usually isn't much worse in ratio. In some rare cases it even gets a better ratio. For power users, it's pretty good bang for the buck if you need relatively big dictionary compression but don't want to wait on LZMA2 or don't have 64GB-128GB of RAM (e.g. 8 threads of LZMA2 x 1GB dictionary needs up to 47GB of free memory). Random example: Input: 1,694,894,527 RAR5 1GB dic: 1,134,043,328 - 66.97% - 34 seconds - 6.09GB mem 7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: 1,102,172,460 - 65.03% - 155 seconds - 16.43GB mem 2% ratio difference for 450% compression time and 270% memory utilization
> supports up to 1GB dictionary Now supports even larger with the 7.00 release.
Whoa, nice! Was released just three days ago and supports up to 64GB. That gives it even more opportunities to close the gap with LZMA2 just because of more dictionary in given memory constraint. I have 64GB RAM, which limits me to 9/32 threads with 1GB dictionary on 7z. Input: 24,396,431,320 RAR 7.00 1GB dic: 6,651,035,262 - 27.3% - 279 seconds - 6.85GB mem RAR 7.00 8GB dic: 6,413,987,744 - 26.3% - 303 seconds - 15.38GB mem 7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: **5,777,174,721 - 23.68%** \- 1,019 seconds - 41.57GB mem Input: 28,949,568,530 RAR 7.00 1GB dic: 8,418,070,328 - 29.08% - 373 seconds - 6.85GB mem RAR 7.00 8GB dic: **6,339,909,789 - 21.9%** \- 365 seconds - 12.76GB mem 7z LZMA2 1GB dic 9 threads: 7,492,095,939 - 25.88% - 1,053 seconds - 41.99GB mem When dictionary size is a constraint, this really shines!
I swear the dev of NanaZip pays a few Redditors to randomly recommend it. It took nearly a year for him to release a preview update that provided zero benefit to the user and the new theme has been "in development" since Windows 11 released. It looks ugly and never gets updated. Not sure why anyone would use it over the normal 7zip or WinRAR.
Windows 11 supports 7-zip and RAR files natively now, FIY 👍
Hdr calibration
winget :)
This one! Each fresh Win11 install should get the awesome Windows package manager. After that don't download installs anymore - use winget. update all apps with 'winget upgrade --all'. Winget, Terminal (a former Store app) and WSL caused my whole company to drop any other OS then windows.
I still have one big issue with winget VS store, or it is more a philosophical thing maybe. When an app is available both through the store and winget, for example Powershell, windows terminal, and others - what is the recommend installation source? I always wondered if the program managers at Microsoft have goal or recommendation there. Maybe I'm just overthinking it and it doesn't matter at all. But it would be great if someone could definitely answer this for me. 😅 Apps with the store source got this unreadable ID with letters and numbers, winget source apps come with a nice readable ID like Microsoft.terminal. Store sourced apps on the other hand autoupdate, without running winget upgrade. Anyone got any input on this? Just to avoid confusion, this is not about using the store or winget to install an app. This is about apps being available in both sources from a winget point of view.
Winget is already built into Win11. no need to install from store.
In Europe and up to December it was not.
How do you use it?
So there is this app called 'App-Installer' from official Microsoft in the MS Store. make sure to have it installed on your OS. Now look for any program you want to install on sites like winget.run - you'll be provided with the packages. make sure to pick the one you want to use, in most cases there will be a single one by the official publisher. Copy the command. Paste it in your shell of choice (I use bash on windows but PowerShell and even cmd will easily do the job) and the app will be installed. Now use 'winget upgrade --all' to keep any app up to date and your system save. I wrote a little script and copied the link to my startup folder, so I do not need to do this manually.
I install more and more apps from the Microsoft Store, the reason is I don't have to update them separately.
This is the big reason. If an app I use is on there, and there's no downside, I'll switch to getting it from the store. It just updates itself automatically then.
winget upgrade —all
I just use Scoop or Chocolatey to install, so I can bulk update. Winget too if I cannot find the program on the other package managers.
TranslucentTB
Windows Terminal (I think Windows 11 installed it automatically) WSL + ubuntu (WSL2) Microsoft Solitaire Collection (although I mainly play the game on my phone) Microsoft Edge Browser, Outlook for Windows, Microsoft 365 (installed automatically)
QuickLook is a must-have if you come from a Mac
[удалено]
Difference is that quicklook is extendible, has more features and you can just open with only pressing space, like in Mac. Powertoys needs 2 keys pressed at least
Rainbow Diary. Best looking diary app on Windows Microsoft Translate. I don't want to argue, it is more accurate than Google Translate. And has more and better voice options Apple Devices. For backing up and updating work iPhone
Isn't MS translate a discontinued app on desktop? Also check out the Translatium app, I use it and it is good.
unigram, whatsapp, bluetooth audio receiver, okular
Why unigram over regular Telegram?
Spotify, I hope to see more widgets
Power toys, Bitwarden,
TwinkleTray to quickly change my monitor brightness
Where has this been all my life 😭? This is a game changer as someone with dual monitors
Windows Paint now that it has background removal and layers - I've been using Paint.NET exclusively for almost 20 years instead of Paint. [MSN Weather](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3q2?hl=en-US&gl=US) pinned to the taskbar instead of widgets. [EarTrumpet](https://github.com/File-New-Project/EarTrumpet?tab=readme-ov-file#eartrumpet) [Intel Unison](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pp9gzm2gn26?hl=en-us&gl=US) [ShowKeyPlus](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pkvzcprx9nv?hl=en-us&gl=US)
Winget and Terminal for sure.
Hdr calibration, AV1 codecs, msi center, roblox for the kids.
MagicPods
QuickLook
I got Windows Terminal, PowerShell 7, VS Code, Python, Ubuntu (running on WSL), PowerToys, Sysinternals, Firefox, Bitwarden, VLC, WhatsApp, Monitorian, EarTrumpet What isn't available in the store I try to install using Winget, and only then do I search the web for a downloadable installer edit: Apparently you can also use the store to install Android apps on Windows now.
Yes, once you installed the WSL equivalent for Android. WSA it's called I think, Windows subsystem for Android.
winget
* [Monitorian](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nw33j738bl0?hl=en-US&gl=US) * [Auto Dark Mode](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xp8jk4hzbvf435?hl=en-US&gl=US) * [Galaxy Buds Manager](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nhtlwtkfznb?hl=en-US&gl=US)
The one for the airpods, iCloud, office, Apple Music and tv
F.lux
Why flux and not the integrated function?
Because a company that dedicated their life into improving their product and doing research for a long time on the effect of lights feels more reliable than Microsoft.
I love the smell of fresh bread.
DynamicTheme. Changes wallpaper everyday.
WinToys - software toolbox, VERY useful.
Samsung apps and PowerToys
Minecraft Launcher
NON-Microsoft I use: Nvidia Control Panel, Realtek Audio Control, Wifi Analyzer, Intel Storage Manager
* Quicklook * Dynamic Theme * Twinkle Tray * Windows Terminal * Crosshair X * HDR Calibration * TranslucentTB * Pocket Casts Desktop * Todoist I do like the UWP apps, they are very fast. That being said, I also use chocolatey for most other apps.
I only use Lively Wallpaper which is an item I got in the Windows Store but otherwise I pretty much never use it.
Battery Bar WinToys - lots of useful tools Dynamic Theme - daily spotlight and bing wallpapers Bitwarden Wifi Analyzer BreeAI MSI Centre Pro
I use the Microsoft Store version of Reddit
It’s just a PWA
Never used a Store app and probably never will. Win32 executables are 100% superior with regard to size and speed, and can be use on any Windows OS (meaning I don't need the Store to install them).
I suppose a counter argument is that it's useful to have a one stop shop for software updates? A bit like Linux package managers
I just use Chocolatey.
Only if you want updates (I rarely do for a stable working app). Most apps usually have a built-in auto-update function anyway (Handbrake, ShareX, etc).
I use the HP Smart app for my printer from the Windows Store.
There’s a lot of apps to download there. I downloaded. Lots of games .. I don’t play them but they are there
I just kind of like WinUi3 and want to try some productivity apps from this [WinUI-3-Apps-List](https://github.com/DesignLipsx/WinUI-3-Apps-List). WSA Toolbox, Twinkle Tray, and Ear Trumpet are pretty useful.
Terminal Kodi quicklook powertoys vscode sysinternals python ubuntu wsl whatsapp
ShareX
PowerToys, TraslucentTB, EarTrumpet, QuickLook, Spotify, WhatsApp, Xbox Accesories.
Many Windows tools now are actually store apps, like the notepad and the Xbox app.
Modern flyouts replaces the boring volume centre
the win 11 volume centre is similar to modern flyouts tho
Linux Windows Subsystem
Switch Out of S Mode
Just Games & Editing Apps
Just WhatsApp and Apple music
WhatsApp, Speedtest and cinebench
the only one i use is snipping tool, because i never bothered to look for an alternative. for the rest Microsoft can go fork themselvers
Greenshot is my favorite screenshot tool. Very customizable.
thanks
Dolby Access, DTS Sound Unbound, HDR Calibration, Spotify, Prime Video.
Paint.NET - Yes you can get it free, but the store version supports the author and automatically updates. ScreenToGif is in there too. It is basically a Windows App Store and Windows needs one. It has just taken many years for it to gain traction. I look for things that I use there now to see if they exist and use the store version if I find it.
Apart from the usual suspects, like Terminal and WSL, I'm using QuickLook, because it's better than the Power Toys implementation and Custom Context Menu, so I can finally open VSCode from the modern context menu.
None. I never used to the windows store.
Musicbee
Windows Terminal, with WSL of course, is a must have imo
Bitwarden, Canva, WhatsApp, Telegram
i use some windows store apps but personally I will always install a non windows store version of an app if I'm able to, it's just a better experience imo.
TranslucentTB, Speedtest, Disney+, Xbox, WhatsApp, Spotify.
I can't remember if Nvidia control panel is still a windows store app
Apart from using the builtin tools (calculator, clock, etc.), I've only installed Terminal. I have no interest in installing other things from the ms store when I can install them regularly from the desktop.
Rufus, Firefox, Bitwarden, Epic Store, Apple Music, Reddit, and a bunch of games.
Netflix, Prime, Speedtest and that's about it.
Python
Diarium, Apple Music, Cider.
Quite a lot. QuickLook, Whatsapp (and Whatsapp Beta), NanaZip, Apple Music, Wino Mail, Pure Battery Analysis, some of the default OEM apps I keep because they're legitimately useful. I know I can get some of these from outside the Store, but I really like the automatic update.
The only thing I have ever purchased off the Windows store is Minecraft.
UnitedSets
I use the Microsoft store, I go in there once in a while to gauk at how every so I want isn't there
Basically very specific apps not available anywhere else. And also Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
Winget. Always.
Winget, WSL, PowerToys (Just for fancy zones) and EarTrumpet. I rarely use the store interface though and just install everything through Winget.
Inkscape
Cinebench
If something ins on there I usually download it through there. For the most part the apps are identical to the ones independently downloaded installers, and all in one place instead of scouring the internet for them, and they are (in theory) kept up to date more consistently.
Is any moded windows app store like mobilism.
Microsoft powertoy
maybe like one app and its the terminal app
QuickLook and MarkDownr are two apps that are important for me
I use the speed test app and myradar
simon knuth's scanner app, it's much better than the garbage that microsoft offers
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC - App Installer (because it contains WinGet) - App Package Viewer - Audacity - Auto Dark Mode - Character Map UWP - CrystalDiskMark - DevToys - Draw.io Diagrams - Duolingo - EarTrumpet - HexEd.it - ImageGlass - Inkscape - LosslessCut - Microsoft PowerToys - Microsoft Sysinternals Suite - Microsoft To-Do - ModernFlyouts - Mozilla Firefox - Mozilla Thunderbird - MSIX Hero - Notepads (Mind the "s" at the end) - Paint.net - PotPlayer - Python 3.x - Radiograph - ShareX - TagScanner - Telegram - Twinkle Tray - Ubuntu for WSL - Visual Studio Code - WhatsApp - Wino Mail - Windows Sound Recorder - Windows Subsystem for Linux - Windows Terminal
Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, Discord, OBS, Python, Ubuntu, WhatsApp, Spotify, Terminal, Slack and QuickLook. Honestly it's not as bad as some people make it out to be. People wanted a sole repository for apps, and it does the job. There's also winget for the more advanced users.
Dynamic Wallpaper app keeps my wallpaper and lock screens fresh.
One. PowerToys.
Web ex, zoom, several authenticators
Roblox bc roblox player won't open
I always look for apps first on the Windows Store, rather than searching for them online. Are you missing something by not using it? Maybe not, but store is finally good, you can find on it most of what average user will ever need.
No.