For consumers, Windows Store is intended to be the only way to obtain Metro-style apps. Further details announced during the conference revealed that the store would be able to hold listings for both certified traditional Windows apps, as well as what were called 'Metro-style apps' at the time: tightly- sandboxed software based on Microsoft design guidelines that are constantly monitored for quality and compliance. Microsoft first announced Windows Store, a digital distribution service for Windows at its presentation during the Build developer conference on September 13, 2011. Windows 8 The Windows Store logo as it appears in 2013 At this point, Microsoft opened a Web-based storefront called 'Microsoft Store'. Windows Marketplace was discontinued in November 2008. The marketplace tracked product keys and licenses, allowing users to retrieve their purchases when switching computers.

Microsoft previously maintained a similar digital distribution system for software known as Windows Marketplace, which allowed customers to purchase software online. The majority of the app developers have one app. Categories containing the largest number of apps are 'Books and Reference', 'Education', 'Entertainment', and 'Games'. In 2021, 669,000 apps were available in the store. Prior to January 1, 2015, this cut was reduced to 20% after the developer's profits reached $25,000. Microsoft takes 5–15% of the sale price for apps and 30% on Xbox games. In addition to the user-facing Microsoft Store client, the store has a developer portal with which developers can interact. Īs with other similar platforms, such as the Google Play and Mac App Store, Microsoft Store is curated, and apps must be certified for compatibility and content.

Digital music was included until the end of 2017, and E-books were included until 2019. With Windows 10, Microsoft merged its other distribution platforms ( Windows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Xbox Store, and a web storefront also known as 'Microsoft Store') into Microsoft Store, making it a unified distribution point for apps, console games, and digital videos.

It started as an app store for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 as the primary means of distributing Universal Windows Platform apps. The Microsoft Store (formerly known as Windows Store) is a digital distribution platform operated by Microsoft.

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