The new Microsoft Store web installers allow downloading app executables with fewer clicks

Microsoft has announced Microsoft Store installers for the web. The newly announced installers for the web make it easier for you to install apps directly from the web version of the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft has been focusing on improving the app store lately. More recently, the company introduced a new home page design for the Microsoft Store app to prioritize new apps over installed ones.

However, the latest introduction of Microsoft Store installers changes how the web version of the company’s app store works down the line. Now, you can download app executables right from the Microsoft Store website, thanks to the new installer for the web.

The new Microsoft Store web installers ensure faster app downloading with just two clicks

Rudy Huyn from Microsoft announced the change through a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter). Apparently, the new Microsoft Store web installer ensures faster app downloading without requiring extra actions as before.

We've just launched Microsoft Store installers for web – A new and streamlined way to install Store apps directly from https://t.co/Z8vwRiY9ab

📉Feedback indicated that the install flow involved too many clicks. Previously, installation required:
– Clicking 'install' on our… pic.twitter.com/zxig2TYJR4

— Rudy Huyn (@RudyHuyn) April 21, 2024

Earlier users had to make three clicks to install an app from the web version of the Microsoft Store. First on the website, second on the deep-link dialog, and third on the mini-window of the Store. 

Although the process was cumbersome, Microsoft always had it to mitigate malicious scripts. However, user experience was the one thing that it impacted. Notably, the same has changed with the new undocked version of the Store. Talking of the same and the benefits it brings for the users, Huyn wrote:

We built an undocked version of the Store using the same logic and code as the larger app, managing prerequisites, entitlements, downloads, and installations in the same way. However, this time, it was packaged in a much smaller and undocked executable.

Benefits of the new web installers

Huyn further outlines the benefits of the new Microsoft Store installers for the web which are as follows: 

• Now, downloading an app will only require two clicks, one for downloading the package and the other to launch it. 
• The lightweight installers work much faster than the Microsoft Store app and are up-to-date.
• It has all the latest features and supports all products even on systems with older versions of Microsoft Store or without it.
• Lastly, new web installers let you get multiple apps at once. 

He mentioned positive feedback from users and developers who participated in the initial three rounds of the test is the main reason behind the official announcement.

As per the testing data, the new method of installing apps from the web version of Microsoft Store saw an average 12% installation increase. Whereas, the percentage for the number of applications launched after installation stood at 54%.

What do you think about the new Microsoft Store installers for the web? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.