How do I download Microsoft Store on my computer?

What is the Microsoft Store app?

The Microsoft Store, previously known as the Windows Store, is an app store for Microsoft Windows devices. It allows users to browse, search for, download, and install applications and games for Windows PCs, tablets, and phones.

The Microsoft Store app provides access to the store directly from your Windows device. It has a user interface that allows you to browse categories, view app details like screenshots and reviews, and install apps and games to your device.

Having the Microsoft Store app installed makes it easy and convenient to find and get new apps from the Microsoft Store. It works similarly to app stores on other platforms like the App Store on Apple devices or Google Play on Android.

Why would I want the Microsoft Store app?

Here are some of the benefits of having the Microsoft Store app on your Windows computer:

– Easily discover and install new apps – Browse and search the store directly from your device and install apps with just a couple clicks.

– Get apps made specifically for Windows – The Microsoft Store includes apps optimized for Windows 10 and 11. These provide the best experience on your device.

– Safer app installs – Apps from the Microsoft Store are verified and tested for security and performance. This helps prevent malware.

– Automatic updates – Apps installed from the store can update automatically to get bug fixes and new features.

– Cross-device syncing – Your app downloads and purchases can sync across your Windows PCs and devices when signed in with the same Microsoft account.

– Manage apps in one place – The Microsoft Store provides a central place to manage and uninstall your apps.

– Access entertainment content – Get movies, TV shows, and more from the Microsoft Store. Content syncs across devices.

So in summary, the Microsoft Store app provides an official source of apps optimized for Windows, safer installs, automatic updates, cross-device syncing, entertainment content, and simple app management.

How to get the Microsoft Store app

If you’re on Windows 10 or 11, the Microsoft Store app comes pre-installed by default. To open it, click the Microsoft Store icon in your taskbar or search for “Microsoft Store” from the Start Menu.

If for some reason the Microsoft Store app is missing on your system, here are a couple ways to download and install it:

Install from Windows Settings

1. Open Windows Settings (Windows key + i)

2. Click on Apps

3. Click the “Optional features” option on the left

4. Find and click on “Microsoft Store” in the list

5. Click Install

This will download and install the latest version of the Microsoft Store app from Windows Update. Once installed, you’ll see a Microsoft Store icon added to your taskbar which you can use to open the app.

Download from Microsoft’s website

You can also manually download the Microsoft Store app from Microsoft’s website:

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/app/windows-store/9wzdncrdj2w8 in your web browser.

2. Click the blue “Get” button to download the Windows Store app package.

3. When the download completes, double click the package file to install the Microsoft Store app.

4. Follow the prompts to install the app.

5. Once finished, you’ll find the Microsoft Store app on your Start Menu or taskbar ready to use.

Opening the Microsoft Store app

Once installed, there are a few quick ways to launch the Microsoft Store app on your Windows computer:

– Click the Microsoft Store icon in the taskbar, usually located in the lower right.

– Press the Windows key + R, type “ms-windows-store:” and press Enter.

– From the Start Menu, search for “Microsoft Store” and click the app result.

– Click the Store icon in the notifications and actions panel opened by clicking the up arrow icon in the lower right.

Key things you can do in the Microsoft Store app

Here are some of the main tasks and functions accessible through the Microsoft Store app:

Browse apps and games

Use the top navigation tabs like Games, Apps, Movies & TV to browse categories that interest you. Filter and search to find specific apps. Select an app to view details like ratings, screenshots, and descriptions.

Install and update apps

Click the Get or Install button on an app page to download and add the app to your system. Apps installed from the Store can update automatically.

Manage your apps

Click the “…” icon next to My Library at the top left and select Downloads and updates. Here you can uninstall apps or check for updates.

Redeem codes

Click the “…” icon next to My Library and choose Redeem a code to redeem codes for apps, games, movies or other content. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

View account details

Click the “…” icon next to My Library and choose Account details to manage your Microsoft account details like payment options.

Get support

Click the “…” icon next to My Library and select Get support to access help articles or contact Microsoft Support.

Tips for using the Microsoft Store

Here are some useful tips for getting the best experience with the Microsoft Store app:

– Sign in with your Microsoft account to access all your apps and content on every device.

– Click the Library icon at the top to see all your owned apps, downloads, and updates.

– Use the Search bar to quickly find apps.

– Check ratings and reviews from other users to help decide on apps.

– Click an app page’s Share icon to share an app with friends.

– To keep apps up to date, enable automatic app updates in Store settings.

– Use Family options to easily share apps and content with family members.

– Explore gaming options like Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming.

– Check out entertainment deals like movie and TV bundles.

Troubleshooting the Microsoft Store

If you encounter issues with the Microsoft Store app, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:

Store won’t open

– Make sure you have an active internet connection on your device. The Store requires an internet connection.

– Try restarting your device.

– Check for any Windows updates and install them. Updates can sometimes resolve issues.

– As a last resort, reset the Microsoft Store app by opening Windows Settings, going to Apps, selecting the Store app, and choosing Advanced options > Reset. This will reset the app to default settings but keep your apps.

Store is slow or laggy

– Make sure you don’t have other apps running that could be taking up resources. Close unused apps.

– Check your internet connection speed and reconnect if needed.

– Restart your device to clear any memory issues.

– On older devices, consider closing other apps when using the Store to allocate more system resources to it.

App install issues

– Make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for the app.

– The app may not be compatible with your version of Windows. Check the app details.

– Try installing again – connection errors can sometimes interrupt an install.

– For update issues, open the Library menu and check for app updates. Install any available.

– As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app having issues.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Store provides Windows users with an official source to easily discover, install, and manage apps and games optimized for the platform. Having the Store app makes it simple to get new apps safely and reliably.

To get the Microsoft Store, make sure it’s pre-installed on Windows 10 or 11, enable it through Windows Settings, or download it directly from Microsoft. Use the app to browse top apps and categories, install apps, manage your library, and access entertainment content and services.

Following tips like signing into your Microsoft account, enabling auto updates, and sharing apps with family can provide the best Store experience. If you encounter any issues, try troubleshooting steps like checking connections, restarting, resetting the app, or reinstalling problem apps. Overall, the Microsoft Store is a valuable built-in tool for Windows users to customize their device with great apps.