Should you download the desktop application or the Microsoft Store application?

Previously, you downloaded Windows software via EXE files from the official website or third-party download site (called the desktop application). But starting with Windows 8 and today with Windows 10, you also have the option of downloading apps from the Microsoft Store (called Store apps).

Many software are available in both traditional desktop applications and modern Store apps. So what kind of application should you download? The following article will look at some of the factors and try to answer that question.

Why does the Microsoft Store exist?

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Microsoft launched its new application market, called the Windows Store, with Windows 8. At the time, these Metro applications were like a screen and many users ignored them.

This market continued to be included in Windows 10 and eventually changed its name to Microsoft Store (not to be confused with actual Microsoft stores). In addition to applications, the Microsoft Store also brings Edge games, movies, TV shows and extensions. Now, the boundaries between application types are becoming blurred, because Store apps run in a window like traditional desktop programs.

Once upon a time, Windows was the only major platform that didn't provide an official market for apps. Android has Google Play, macOS and iOS has an App Store, and Linux has several archives. Longtime Windows users might wonder why Microsoft is still bothered with launching an app store like this.

From Microsoft's perspective, this has two main reasons: Uniformity between platforms and operating system security.

UWP application on Microsoft Store

As you may remember, in the past, Microsoft pushed the new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications (called Metro apps in Windows 8) quite hard. The idea is to provide applications that work on Windows desktop as well as Windows Phone.

Today, even after the fall of Windows 10 Mobile, apps on the Store still run on Windows 10, Xbox One, HoloLens and other platforms. In theory, this allows developers to create an application once and can be used on multiple devices.

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Of course, having these apps on the Microsoft Store also provides an additional revenue stream for Microsoft.

Security issues with desktop applications

Because Windows desktop programs are available everywhere, downloading them can result in a virus infection on the computer. If you haven't downloaded it from a trusted source, then it's hard to know whether the application found on a random website is safe or dangerous. This results in inexperienced users making themselves victims of malware through accidental downloads.

Instead, the Microsoft Store gives Microsoft more control over the available applications. The company implements a number of controls to remove dangerous apps from the Store. There was a time when the Microsoft Store had problems with fake and dead apps, but these were unfortunately not as bad as they are today.

Security issues between desktop apps and Microsoft Store apps

As we have seen, Store applications have the advantage of being in a trusted environment. Besides, they are also more secure than desktop applications.

When you download a desktop application, it usually requires admin rights to install. Although this is a normal thing in software installation, providing admin rights to the program allows the software to do whatever it wants with your computer.

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If you grant admin rights to a malicious application, it will have the right to 'rule' freely and freely install malware, delete your data, record keystrokes or harm your PC. . Of course, most applications do not do this, but this is often the way to make the virus infection spread.

In contrast, Store apps have limited permissions. Store apps run in the sandbox, meaning they are limited to a certain part of Windows. Because these applications never run with admin rights, they are not likely to damage your system.

This is great even for applications like iTunes. By downloading the iTunes version of the Store, you won't see many miscellaneous things like Bonjour and the Apple Software Update bundled with it.

Like the Android and iPhone apps, the Microsoft Store app lists all the rights they use. This allows you to see exactly what functions they use in the background. Additionally, you can block apps from using individual permissions in the Privacy section of Settings.

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By default, all Store apps receive automatic updates. This is a lot easier than the update prompts that most desktop applications provide, since you don't have to worry about visiting the website and downloading the latest version manually. Uninstalling the Store app is also 'tidier' ​​than the desktop application, because there is no Registry entry and other distributed data to be deleted.

Variety of options

Although there are many great software for Windows, you can not find them on Microsoft Store. Developers have to pay a small fee to register and put their applications into the Microsoft Store, which may not be worth the expense for those creating small tools.

A lot of popular apps, like Discord, Steam, Caliber, Snagit, and some other software aren't available on the Store. This means that gamers and users will have to stick with desktop applications in many cases.

However, you can also find Store versions for many popular desktop software. Slack, Spotify, iTunes, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram and Evernote are just a few examples.

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Many of the software on the Microsoft Store are mobile-style applications like Netflix and Candy Crush Saga - simple games or applications to access a website or service. However, even some small desktop utilities have a variant available in the Store. This is the case with PureText, a great little application for pasting text without formatting.

Paint.NET fan favorite photo editing application is also available for a few dollars on the Store. It's like the free version, but the developer offers it as an optional donation with more convenient updates.

The interface of Microsoft Store application and desktop application

Versions of the same application may not be exactly the same. In general, desktop applications offer more features and navigation icons, while Store apps use larger, evenly spaced buttons. This makes the Store app more convenient to use on the touch screen.

For example, consider the version of OneNote that comes with Microsoft Office versus the OneNote Store application. Here is the desktop version:

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You can see, like many other Office applications, there are tabs along the Ribbon for all kinds of features. These include advanced tools like revision history, video recording capabilities and all sorts of tags, plus support for macros. The buttons are also close to each other, a design usually intended for mouse use.

For comparison, the following is the OneNote Store version:

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You can see how simple the interface here is compared to the desktop version. It has fewer tabs and buttons with icons spread out. Additionally, the Store version offers far less settings than the desktop version.

As mentioned earlier, this feels more like an app on a phone than a desktop program. It's perfectly suited for quick use, but advanced OneNote users will find many features missing.

Refer to the article about the differences of OneNote versions if you are interested and want to learn more.

Consider an example - VLC Player

Let's quickly look at VLC, the popular media player, to see how the desktop and Store versions differ.

The desktop version has the many features you would expect from this program. Along the bottom bar, you can control the playback of media files, including adjusting both audio and video effects. The VLC desktop version supports subtitles, the ability to open media from sources such as streaming on the network, customize on-screen controls and more.

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Meanwhile, the Store version of VLC is much more streamlined. You can change the options, but only a handful of everything is included in the desktop version. This version still provides support for subtitles and playback from online sources but does not allow you to customize the interface, play from DVD or Blu-ray or use many other hidden tricks of VLC.

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You will also notice that the buttons in this version are much larger, making it easier for users to use the touch screen. When tested, the Store version also froze several times when trying to start a video.

The Store version is usable, but advanced users will find it lacking a lot.

Microsoft Store versions of web applications

In addition to replacing desktop applications, Store also contains many applications for web services. These include Pandora, Amazon, Netflix, Instagram, etc.

In some cases, these applications are simply a wrapper on a website (such as Amazon). There is little reason to use these when you just need to bookmark a web page in your favorite browser.

However, other options offer unique features or better layouts. For example, although you can scroll through Instagram in your browser, you need to use the Instagram Store app to access your DM. You may also want to keep a desktop application for video services like Netflix and Hulu installed for easy access, especially if you often use your laptop in tablet mode.

The use of Store or web application depends on the needs of each person. Some people like to have apps dedicated to the services they open all the time, like Pandora, to cut down browser tabs. Try both and see which one you like better!

After considering both types of applications, neither option outperforms the competition. Most people will use a combination of both.

Desktop applications provide superior functionality, but may have a more confusing layout. In contrast, although Store apps are a fairly simple experience, they will automatically update and come from a trusted source.

If the apps you use offer both options, give it a try and see which one suits your needs better. If you need some ideas, these are the best calendar apps in the Microsoft Store.

Wish you find yourself the right choice!