Better to Install from Windows Store than EXE?

By Sir Topham Hatt
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

Sir Topham Hatt

Posted
Posted

Is it better to install a Windows Store version of an app compared with the full exe from the website?

VLC for example.

 

Just not sure of the point in the Windows Store at the moment but wonder if this is now the tipping point from exe installers to apps.

  • 1 month later...
Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted
  On 15/11/2021 at 07:58, Sir Topham Hatt said:

Is it better to install a Windows Store version of an app compared with the full exe from the website?

VLC for example.

 

Just not sure of the point in the Windows Store at the moment but wonder if this is now the tipping point from exe installers to apps.

Expand  

Irrelevant - I've installed applications both ways.  The difference is that it typically takes fewer steps to install from the Store than from an executable.  The ONLY case where it will take less is an already-downloaded executable (I have a few of those) - otherwise, the Store will beat it.  (This applies to ANY application store - it's not unique to the Microsoft Store - it applies to the Amazon AppStore (or the Google Play Store, for that matter) - I'm not being diasingenuous in the least.)

Grand Master

devHead

Posted
Posted
  On 15/11/2021 at 07:58, Sir Topham Hatt said:

Is it better to install a Windows Store version of an app compared with the full exe from the website?

VLC for example.

 

Just not sure of the point in the Windows Store at the moment but wonder if this is now the tipping point from exe installers to apps.

Expand  

I think the one advantage of installing from the Windows Store is that you will get updates for the app automatically.

  • +primortal, Astral and Xenon
  • Like 3
Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted
  On 17/12/2021 at 02:35, devHead said:

I think the one advantage of installing from the Windows Store is that you will get updates for the app automatically.

Expand  

Some applications (Firefox, for example) have internal updating mechanisms - making it a wash - and Firefox is in the Microsoft Store.

Grand Master

goretsky Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

Hello,

 

If you are using a universal Windows app (what were previously called modern or metro apps), it will have the advantage of running in the sandbox for those applications, which means it will be more tightly secured by the operating system than a Win32 app that you download and install manually. 

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

 

Grand Master

Steven P. Administrators

Posted
  • Administrators
Posted
  On 17/12/2021 at 02:35, devHead said:

I think the one advantage of installing from the Windows Store is that you will get updates for the app automatically.

Expand  

This is definitely a reason for me, apps no longer prompt to be updated.. it's done automatically via Microsoft Store.

Grand Master

+InsaneNutter MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

The main advantage is apps auto update as others have mentioned.

 

A potential disadvantage is the Windows Store is also full of junk, which is a lot easier to find compared to app stores on Android / iOS.

 

Search "Audacity" for example, pretty sure none of those are the legit program people might be searching for. Certainly with open source stuff it can be harder to identify if you are downloading the genuine version / vs a fork someone is trying to profit from.

 

I mainly use the store for apps not available elsewhere such as Netflix for example.

Grand Master

Steven P. Administrators

Posted
  • Administrators
Posted
  On 17/12/2021 at 08:45, InsaneNutter said:

The main advantage is apps auto update as others have mentioned.

 

A potential disadvantage is the Windows Store is also full of junk, which is a lot easier to find compared to app stores on Android / iOS.

 

Search "Audacity" for example, pretty sure none of those are the legit program people might be searching for. Certainly with open source stuff it can be harder to identify if you are downloading the genuine version / vs a fork someone is trying to profit from.

 

I mainly use the store for apps not available elsewhere such as Netflix for example.

Expand  

You can get around that by following the store link from the official Audacity website, just like with VLC :) 

  • +InsaneNutter
  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

There's a couple big advantages to installing through the store when available.

 

1. it installs as a completely sandboxed package so if you do decide to uninstall later nothing gets left behind unlike traditional installer/uninstaller processes. iTunes is a great example of this.

2. If the dev chooses to then the app can update through the store as well.

3. great for non-technical users so they don't have to navigate to individual sites.

Grand Master

cork1958

Posted
Posted
  On 03/02/2022 at 18:55, OldGuru said:

It is not cause it will keep updating your software and more than often I do not my software to get updated, there is a good reason why I am running certain version. Windows Store is terrible idea for PC.

Expand  

Totally agree. I simply hate things updating without me knowing about it, especially when first turning computer on and waiting for hard drive to quit thrashing around while everything gets checked for updates and installing.

Grand Master

Steven P. Administrators

Posted
  • Administrators
Posted
  On 03/02/2022 at 18:55, OldGuru said:

It is not cause it will keep updating your software and more than often I do not my software to get updated, there is a good reason why I am running certain version. Windows Store is terrible idea for PC.

Expand  

I somewhat agree with this now.. Paint.NET (paint dotnet) has been crashing when I open the program from an image right click context menu (Open with...) I even contacted the developer but he can't reproduce it and I suppose no-one else is having that trouble.

 

I've used Paint.NET for years from the Windows 7 days and this is the first time it has been randomly doing this behavior :/ 

Grand Master

Sir Topham Hatt

Posted
  • Author
Posted

But then I also won't get VLC Player telling me there's an update.

Didn't think about the effort it takes to go to the website, download, wait, then install.

 

Maybe certain things I will use Windows Sotre, others not so much.

Grand Master

spaceelf

Posted
Posted
  On 03/02/2022 at 19:34, cork1958 said:

Totally agree. I simply hate things updating without me knowing about it, especially when first turning computer on and waiting for hard drive to quit thrashing around while everything gets checked for updates and installing.

Expand  

people still use hard drives for an OS drive?  damn.  I'm sorry.  :/

 

I use the Store for whatever apps are available on it just to limit the number of updaters I have on my system.  It's still somewhat subpar for games of course, but not as bad as it used to be.

 

Seriously hoping MSIX gains traction also.  I've seen it around more than I used to but not really outside of MS.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, 7000 CPUs have a vulnerable TPM-Pluton, major firmware fix released

      By bikeman25 · Posted

      Just checked my B650 Motherboard again, nothing there as yet, Guess 800 series getting it first, which i can understand as that's newer series, and chipset. I'll check again in a few days or a week depending on how busy i am
    • The official Funny Pictures thread

      By Xenon · Posted

    • Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.1.5

      By Copernic · Posted

      Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.1.5 by Razvan Serea Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a utility for completely removing AMD/NVIDIA/INTEL graphics drivers and related packages from your system, attempting to eliminate all leftovers (including registry entries, folders and files, driver store). Though AMD/NVIDIA/INTEL drivers can usually be removed via the Windows Control Panel, this uninstaller tool was created for situations where standard uninstall fails, or when you need to fully remove NVIDIA or ATI graphics card drivers. After using this driver cleaner, your system will behave as though it’s the first time you’re installing a new driver—similar to a fresh Windows installation. As with all such tools, we recommend creating a restore point beforehand, allowing you to undo changes if issues arise. If you're having trouble installing an older or newer driver, try it—there are reports that it resolves such problems. Recommended usage: The tool can be used in Normal mode but for absolute stability when using DDU, Safemode is always the best. Make a backup or a system restore (but it should normally be pretty safe). It is best to exclude the DDU folder completely from any security software to avoid issues. You do NOT need to uninstall the driver prior using DDU. Requirements: .NET Framework 4.8 Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (32-bit or 64-bit) Note: Using on Insider Preview builds is at your own risk. Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.1.5 changelog: Intel: Added NPU presence detection before removing shared DLL files (these were previously left to prevent potential NPU-related issues). Intel: Added optional NPU removal Improved "Extension" driver removal process. Updated several translations. Download: Display Driver Uninstaller 18.1.1.5 | 1.7 MB (Freeware) Download: DDU Portable | 1.2 MB Links: Display Driver Uninstaller Home Page | Screenshot | Forum Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, 7000 CPUs have a vulnerable TPM-Pluton, major firmware fix released

      By +sphbecker · Posted

      I just ordered a new MSI X870 board, hasn't even arrived yet. I checked the downloads page, and it has the firmware released on 6/11/2025 including the updated AGESA code.
    • The $80 video game - A new frontier of cost, or a bridge too far?

      By branfont · Posted

      There used to be an independent video game store in West Edmonton Mall around 20 years ago, I'm not sure when it went out of business, but they were selling console & PC games for $70±, I think it was so they could cover their rent!

  • Recent Achievements

    • Explorer
      Legend20 went up a rank
      Explorer
    • One Month Later
      jezzzy earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      CSpera earned a badge
      First Post
    • One Month Later
      MIR JOHNNY BLAZE earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Apprentice
      Wireless wookie went up a rank
      Apprentice

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      628
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      273
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      177
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      152
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      115
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!