Discover the Reimagined Microsoft Store: Experience Brilliance and Innovation

The method of installing apps and programs on Windows has evolved over the years. Previously, it involved downloading apps from third-party websites and running installers on your PC. However, Microsoft introduced a more smartphone-like approach in 2012 with the launch of the Microsoft Store. This centralized app store allows users to download apps and games. Now, Microsoft has released an updated version of the Microsoft Store web version to replace the previous experience. Unlike its predecessor, the new web store utilizes modern technologies such as Shoelace, Lit, Vite, and a C# ASPNET backend. The new experience also closely resembles the Windows 11 version of the Microsoft Store, with the main difference being the location of the navigation bar on the top instead of the left side. While not identical, it bears a striking resemblance.

According to Microsoft engineer, Judah Gabriel, the previous website was built with outdated UI framework using React code. Gabriel mentioned that they developed a new user experience with a well-designed interface, easier ways to discover new apps, and modern web technology stack. It is not intended to replace the desktop version of the Microsoft Store, just like the previous web version of the Microsoft Store and the web version of the Google Play Store are not meant to replace their respective smartphone versions. Instead, these experiences are meant to coexist separately, with the web version being particularly useful for search engine discoverability.

The new website may possibly be a precursor to a potential mobile Xbox gaming store, potentially linked to the Microsoft Store (similar to how Xbox games currently are), although this is purely speculative. This new store is an excellent avenue for exploring Windows apps without the need for a Windows PC, which alone is a compelling reason for anticipation.