Does anyone here actually use the Microsoft Store?

[Deozaan]

This summer will mark the 3-year anniversary of the launch of Windows 10, and as someone who entirely skipped Windows 8, it marks 3 years since I was introduced to Windows 10's built-in Microsoft Store. And while I have used it occasionally to install a free app here and there, it was only in the past week that I actually considered buying something from it.

This got me wondering: Does anyone else here actually use and buy apps/games/books/videos from the Microsoft Store?

[wraith808]

Not for games/books/videos, but yes, for apps.

Penbook: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9PL4GX47GT7K
Index Cards: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9NBLGGH58Q5B (free, but got the Pro upgrade)
Mindmaple Pen: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9PB4LJG5WD6S
Knowledgebase Builder: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9WZDNCRDJ68H
Quillerous: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9WZDNCRDM77T

And more... it helps that I received a $25 credit when I bought my HP stream tablet.

My major problem, and the reason I wouldn't put any real money into the store, is that a couple of apps that I paid for are not on the store at all- the links from my receipt are even dead.  They weren't major purchases ($2.99 and $.99) but that is money, and should be handled better.

[x16wda]

Only thing I have used it for was to get the Sonicwall Mobile app (free). On Win 10, if the classic Netextender doesn't work, then the Store version might. (FWIW didn't work for me, however the classic version did, but we have other users in the company where they needed the Store app.)

[Shades]

On a very few occasions I did enter the store to find out about a tool. But that was when I still had a Windows 8.1 phone. For Windows on my computers I never saw the need to enter the MS Store. Never spent any money in there, that is certain.

[cranioscopical]

I bought about a dozen items since the dawn of the store. about 50-50 games and apps. Apps mostly pen related. I almost never browse the store, usually I see items talked about elsewhere.

[wraith808]

I almost never browse the store, usually I see items talked about elsewhere.

Same here.

[KynloStephen66515]

I took a look at the store once or twice...most games seem to be scams (going from the reviews) with 1 level and 8739579275093875029873409 ads.

Never downloaded anything (willingly) - the only "Store Apps" I have are the pre-installed crap I never got rid of.

[4wd]

There is a Microsoft Store?

Never use it, it's disabled ... although I recently read Mint is on there for install, (after enabling WSL), so maybe I'll give it a try.

Might be able to remove VirtualBox, (only VM I've got these days is Debian 9).

[Deozaan]

There is a Microsoft Store?

Never use it, it's disabled ... although I recently read Mint is on there for install, (after enabling WSL), so maybe I'll give it a try.

Might be able to remove VirtualBox, (only VM I've got these days is Debian 9).

Nope, not Mint. But Ubuntu, OpenSUSE Leap, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Debian, and Kali.

[4wd]

and Kali.

Whoopss, I meant Kali since I've just been downloading the ISOs ... who knows where I got Mint from

[Jibz]

Ironically, I believe the only thing I have installed from the Windows store is Ubuntu for WSL.

[wraith808]

Ironically, I believe the only thing I have installed from the Windows store is Ubuntu for WSL.

That seems Alanis Morrisette Ironic. 

[Cloq]

Many years ago.. only way I could purchase and EDU license for Office 2010 Pro Plus...

Had to end up call MS Store rep because their site couldn't process something.

[Stoic Joker]

On a very few occasions I did enter the store to find out about a tool. But that was when I still had a Windows 8.1 phone. For Windows on my computers I never saw the need to enter the MS Store. Never spent any money in there, that is certain.

Same here unless you count the Windows 8.1 upgrade that had to be done through the store.

[Dormouse]

I bought something once. Realised it was a Chinese ripoff of a Mac product (including the image), reported it and got my money back. They didn't remove the app though.

[app103]

I think I only have 2 apps from there, one of which is a freeware video downloader for Netflix, the other is the Fitbit app for Windows.

[Dirhael]

Yes, when it makes sense. It rarely does though, so for the most part I've only purchased games which I can't get anywhere else (Forza Horizon 3, Forza 7, Gears 4 etc.).

I also much prefer installing certain apps such as Spotify from the store, as opposed to getting it from the developer directly. This way it's completely contained, so that when you're uninstalling it wipes every trace of it from the system. This and easy updates is more or less the only thing I really like about using the store.

[f0dder]

Haven't used it, wouldn't touch it with a red hot poker.

[KynloStephen66515]

So...I just ventured onto the MS Store to download Audible.

I had no choice to do so, seeing as the official download from the Audible website directs you to download something that looks and acts like it was made in 1997, then prompts you to download ANOTHER bit of software in order to access your audiobooks (I mean....Audible is purely for audiobooks...why do I need 2 things to do the 1 thing it should already do?)...when you try to sign-on from the first software, all the buttons open things in INTERNET EXPLORER (like...I could maybe understand it opening EDGE...but IE..wtf?)...oh...and when you download the "Download Manager"...it doesn't even work...the login page uses some sort of embedded browser object which doesn't even work because it can't run scripts so just crashes out.

So yeah....if you want Audible for PC...don't download the software...get the app from the store.

[Deozaan]

I actually really like the MS Store for free apps that are essentially the same as the "regular" desktop builds of other apps. It installs and uninstalls things cleanly, automatically keeps things updated, etc.