Windows 11 gets feature to restore apps in bulk

Windows 11 users will be able to restore their apps in new installations with a new option in the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft Store app bulk restore
Microsoft Store app bulk restore (Source: Microsoft)
  • Windows 11 will allow users to restore apps in new installations.
  • The option will be available through the Microsoft Store. 
  • The Store option will allow restoring all or some of the apps previously installed through the platform.
  • Microsoft will soon start testing the feature with Insiders.

The Microsoft Store will soon get a feature that will allow you to restore apps on your Windows 11 computer. In new installations (including new devices), you were forced to manually download apps from the Microsoft Store, but this will change with a new feature coming to the app.

According to Microsoft, to make it easier to transition to a new computer, the app store will introduce an option to help customers automatically restore apps previously installed from the Microsoft Store.

The new approach will help customers speed up the initial setup and help developers retain customers. The feature will also allow you to choose the apps you want to restore, so you don’t have to install those apps you no longer use.

Windows 11 restore apps
Windows 11 restore apps (Source: Microsoft)

In the past, users have to rely on third-party tools (such as winget) to bulk install applications. However, the new option will make it easier for anyone to quickly restore apps on Windows 11.

The only caveat that Microsoft has yet to overcome is the number of apps available through the store for users to benefit from this feature. The store has been growing strong since the company changed its policies to allow any app to be available through the platform and for developers to bring their own commerce platform to keep all their revenue. However, the Microsoft Store is still missing a lot of apps.

In addition, the company will be improving the way users discover apps by including related searches if people are looking for an app through Windows Search in the Start menu.

Windows Search app suggestions
Windows Search app suggestions (Source: Microsoft)

The new features will first start rolling out to testers in the Windows Insider Program, and then they will be generally available to everyone.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.