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Should I Use Microsoft Store - Download apps, games & more for your Windows PC?

apps.microsoft.com·Analyzed 21 hours ago··Based on 11 sources

Explore the Microsoft Store for apps and games on Windows. Enjoy exclusive deals, new releases, and your favorite content all in one place.

Depends

Depends

If you're a regular Windows consumer, this is a non-decision: it's free, preinstalled, and Microsoft-vetted, so just use it.

Free app store built into Windows. Fine for consumers; IT admins and power users often bypass or block it.

Confidence: Medium

79/100

Gridinsoft trust score

apps.microsoft.com scan

12%

PC game revenue cut

Developer share per sale

$0

Store access price

Free, built into Windows 10/11

Value for money4

Free to use; app prices set by developers

Ease of use3

Preinstalled, but users report open and update errors

Feature depth3

Apps, games, Microsoft 365, Copilot in one place

Support quality2

Unresolved 'something went wrong' errors reported publicly

Security posture4

Vetted listings; 79/100 third-party trust score

Pros

  • Preinstalled on Windows 11; nothing to buy or install separately.⁵
  • One place for apps, games, Microsoft 365, and Copilot content.¹
  • Automatic app updates handled in one place on Windows 11.⁵
  • Listings vetted by Microsoft as trusted apps and games.²
  • Revenue cut for PC games lowered to 12%, attracting more developers.⁶

Cons

  • Users report 'something went wrong' errors opening the store.⁸
  • Some users cannot open the app at all.⁹
  • IT admins must actively manage or block store access in organizations.⁷
  • Windows-only; useless on Mac or Linux machines.¹

Gotchas

  • mediumError loops may require repairing or resetting the Store app yourself.⁸
  • mediumEnterprises should decide early whether to allow or block Store access; Intune admins debate best practice.⁷
  • lowApp and game prices are set per-developer; the store itself adds no subscription but sells paid content.¹

Best for

  • Windows 10/11 consumers
  • Casual app and game installs
  • Microsoft 365 and Copilot buyers
  • Indie game developers (12% cut)

Not for

  • Mac or Linux users — Windows only
  • Enterprise IT teams wanting tight app control — many block it via Intune
  • Power users who install from developer sites or package managers
  • Anyone unwilling to use a Microsoft account

Companies that use it

  • OpenAI10
  • Easy Data Transform11
  • SimTech Aviation

Pricing

Store access

$0

  • Browse and install apps and games
  • Individual app/game prices set by developers
  • Microsoft 365 and Copilot sold separately

Security

No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Consumers hit occasional open and update errors, while IT admins debate blocking the store entirely in managed environments.

“Sorry about that! Something went wrong, but we are making it right. Try refreshing or come back later.”
— Eleven Forum (Windows community)
“HELP !!! I Can't Open The Microsoft Store App??”
— Facebook tech-support group
“The Codex app is now on Windows”
— OpenAI Community

Alternatives

Compare Microsoft Store - Download apps, games & more for your Windows PC with each alternative.

winget

Microsoft's own CLI for fast, scriptable installs

Full analysis

Based on 20+ public sources: official Microsoft pages, one security scan, and mostly community forum threads. No in-depth independent product reviews found.

Sources

  1. Microsoft Store - Download apps, games & more for your Windows PCapps.microsoft.com
    official
  2. Get trusted apps and games from Microsoft Storesupport.microsoft.com
    official
  3. Product security pageapps.microsoft.com
    security
  4. Apps.microsoft.com Review: Is It Safe? (79/100 Trust Score)gridinsoft.com
    security
  5. Microsoft Store on Windows 11: Install, Update, Manage Appswindowsforum.com
    news
  6. Microsoft Store Lowering Cut To 12% For PC Gamesresetera.com
    news
  7. Best practice to manage "Windows Store" access (r/Intune)reddit.com
    review
  8. Microsoft store "Sorry about that! Something went wrong..."elevenforum.com
    review
  9. HELP !!! I Can't Open The Microsoft Store App??facebook.com
    review
  10. The Codex app is now on Windowscommunity.openai.com
    review
  11. Easy Data Transform in the Microsoft App storeforum.easydatatransform.com
    review

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