The Microsoft Store web installers were introduced by Microsoft to streamline the process of installing Microsoft Store applications.
This innovative feature aims to simplify the downloading and installation of apps such as Microsoft PC Manager from the Microsoft Store website, although it comes with trade-offs.
In the year 2022, Microsoft overhauled the Microsoft Store website for Windows 10 and 11 and has been continuously refining it since then.
To comprehend the advantages of this new installation approach, let’s compare it with the previous installation process on the store.
Comparison of Previous and Current Installation Methods from Microsoft Store
When users navigate the Microsoft Store, they have two choices: via the official website or the Microsoft Store app. The new method enhances installations through the official website.
The conventional process consisted of:
- User selects the install button on the Microsoft Store website.
- Browser requests to “Open Microsoft Store.”
- Clicking the Open Microsoft Store button prompts the actual installation dialogue.
- Clicking the install button initiates the download and installation of the application.
The new procedure is more straightforward. Clicking the install button on the website downloads an executable file that must be executed to install the application on the device.
Rationale Behind Microsoft’s Implementation of the Modification
Microsoft emphasized the benefits of the new installation process on Twitter:
- Reduced installation steps from three to two.
- Quicker installation process.
- Operational downloads even if the Store is outdated or removed from the device.
- Support for concurrent installations.
As per Microsoft, this new method led to a 12% increase in installations and a 54% increase in application launches post-installation.
Unaddressed Issues by Microsoft
Nevertheless, not everyone is pleased with this alteration. Rafael Rivera, the creator of EarTrumpet, critiqued Microsoft’s decision.
Rivera voiced his dissatisfaction on Twitter, mentioning, “The Microsoft Store team seems to be enclosing apps like EarTrumpet with a .NET executable wrapper containing telemetry and additional code under my app’s name. They also target netfx 4.7.2 instead of my app’s netfx 4.6.2, what’s going on?”
While Microsoft justifies using Netfx 4.7.2 for compatibility across all Windows versions, Rivera highlights that this wrapper involves telemetry components, which is a concern for users.
Concluding Remarks
It remains uncertain whether the telemetry gathering has drastically altered with this new method. The previous approach guided installations through Microsoft Store, which also facilitated telemetry gathering by Microsoft.
Users should be aware that the provided executable file is not the actual application for download. It is a consistently sized wrapper at 703 kilobytes. Running this wrapper will prompt the download and installation of the desired application.
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