Microsoft recently introduced a revamped web-based version of its Windows app store, signalling a shift in the way users explore and access Windows applications on the internet. This updated iteration sidesteps the conventional method, directing links to the Microsoft Store client on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Gone is the outdated React codebase; Microsoft has opted for a contemporary web version utilizing Shoelace, Lit, Vite, and a C# ASPNET backend. Engineers at Microsoft, including Judah Gabriel, emphasized the overhaul, highlighting its departure from an obsolete React codebase and its adoption of a modern interface, enhanced app discovery pathways, and an updated web technology stack.
The newly designed web store offers a more streamlined experience for discovering Windows apps and Xbox PC games, simplifying the download process through the primary Microsoft Store app on Windows. It’s essential to note that this web version isn’t intended to replace the main Microsoft Store app but rather serves as a complement to it.
Microsoft’s move towards a revamped web-based Windows store might signify a broader strategy beyond the Windows platform. Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, previously hinted at Microsoft’s plans to develop an Xbox mobile gaming store, aligning with potential shifts in mobile app store regulations. The EU’s Digital Markets Act could potentially prompt changes in app store regulations by companies like Apple and Google, setting the stage for Microsoft’s anticipated Xbox mobile gaming store, possibly arriving as early as 2024.
In the context of the Xbox mobile gaming store’s future launch, the necessity for a web interface for increased discoverability in search results and across social media platforms becomes apparent, underscoring the strategic significance of Microsoft’s revamped web-based Windows store.