Microsoft is starting to be more flexible on how people find interesting Windows 8 apps by allowing everyone to search apps directly in Windows.com.
Together with Windows 8, Microsoft has also introduced the Windows Store, which is simply the only official one-stop-shop to get Windows 8 apps, including links for desktop applications. But it was just it, if you wanted to find apps outside the Store, officially you couldn’t. Of course, if you knew, you could do an online search like “Video apps.micorosoft.com”, but honestly that isn’t the way to go. Also there was not an official online portal, like Google Play or the Apple’s App Store, or even the Windows Phone Store, which anyone can visit using a web browser and look for apps.
Today, this is changing, Microsoft is finally allowing people to search Windows 8 apps using a web browser. Although, it is a welcome addition, I still can’t believe that it is taking this long for Microsoft to bring friendly app search on the web, something that should have been available from day-one.
Though, you can go to Windows official site and do a search for any kind of apps (just make sure you click the Apps link from the left side menu after the search), this is not a full-fleshed web version of the Windows Store like other companies have. But we will have to wait and see, a web version of the Store may just be in the works… a couple of days back I stumbled upon a new web design for apps, but shortly after Microsoft rolled back to the old design.
If you want to try it yourself, click here!
Will this make it easier for you to find new apps?
Via McAkins Online and WindowsObserver
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. Email him at [email protected].