Microsoft took a leaf from Apple when they launched the Windows Store with Windows 10 and later rebranded it as the Microsoft Store. It is a single location to search, download and update all apps and services. Just like you search for apps in Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Of course, you need to know some tricks to use Microsoft Store wisely on your Windows 10 computer.
I’m going to share some helpful tips and tricks on getting the most out of the Windows Store (now Microsoft Store) experience. Without further ado, let’s start.
1. How to Change Download Location
When you install an app from Microsoft Store, it is installed on the C drive by default. This is where you install the Windows operating system as well. You may want to install a game or application on a different drive. It could be privacy and security or a lack of space on the original drive.
The problem is that Windows’ Microsoft Store doesn’t notify you that the folder is running out of space. It will start downloading and then when it reaches the limit. You will be informed later. This can be very frustrating and a complete waste of time.
Press Windows key+I to open Settings and select System.
Under the Storage option in the left sidebar, click Change where new content is saved.
Here you can change the default location of the drive where new applications will be installed. This setting does not affect legacy and pre-installed apps. You can also change the location of other file types.
2. How to Download and Install Apps and Games
When you download an application or program from the web, you must install it using the EXE executable. Microsoft Store makes the process easy. Search for your favorite app or game and click the Get button on the right to start the process.
If the app or game in question is already installed on your computer, you’ll see Launch instead of Get it. This will open the application.
If the app or game is paid, you’ll see the price in your local currency. You can buy it, add it to the cart, add it to the wishlist to buy later, or buy the game and gift it to a loved one. Regular.
You cannot uninstall apps and games directly from the Microsoft Store. That would be easier though.
3. How to Open Installed Apps
Opening installed apps in Windows 10 is easy. You can search for them in the Start menu. To make this even easier, you can pin it to the Taskbar or the Start menu itself. That way, you don’t have to search for an app. However, there is no point in opening installed apps from Microsoft Store.
4. Uninstalling or Reinstalling Apps and Games
Open Settings again (Windows key+I shortcut) and click on Applications.
You can search for your favorite apps here and uninstall them directly or click on Advanced options. Let’s dive deeper.
Clicking the move button will allow you to change the directory where the app is installed. This makes managing and moving apps very easy and convenient.
There are three options here. One is End which will close the app if you can’t do it normally. The second is Reset, which will return the app to its original state just like when you first installed it. The third is Remove, which we saw earlier.
It is recommended to reset an app before uninstalling and reinstalling it. This will delete all cache and other files giving you a fresh or clean install. Sometimes old data can break the way an app works. Go back to the source, which is the Microsoft Store, to reinstall.
5. How to Add Friends
You cannot add friends directly through the Microsoft Store. You will need to open Xbox.com for this. For now, you can’t add more than 1000 friends on Xbox either. Here’s a great guide on how to add friends on Xbox One and the Xbox app.
6. From Windows Store to EXE
Every application or software you download directly from a site comes with an EXE file or executable. Double click on it to start the installation process. That was the basic process before the Windows Store came along. If you want the EXE file for any reason, you won’t be able to find it directly because Windows Store installs the Ubuntu-like application package instead of using the EXE file.
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc and under the Details tab, right-click on the app.exe filename to select Open file location. You should now see the executable in a new folder. However, this trick does not always work.
Window to Another World
The Microsoft Store in Windows 10 provides a way to explore the world of apps in a convenient and easy-to-use interface. These simple but effective tips will only make it easier for you to get the most out of your experience.
Next: Can’t see the Windows app in the Start Menu? Here is how to fix this error.
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