Microsoft Redesigns the Microsoft Store Web App

Microsoft has just launched a redesigned web front for its Microsoft Store where users can find Windows apps, games, and movies. You can still find the same content that’s available on the native Microsoft Store app on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but the UI now better matches the design language of Windows 11.

“The old site was a React codebase built on an obsoleted UI framework. We created a fresh user experience with a thoughtfully designed interface, easier ways to discover new apps, modern web tech stack. I hope folks will find it useful,” posted Judah Gabriel, Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft on X (via The Verge)

If you prefer a web interface for navigating Microsoft’s digital store, the new web front provides an experience that’s more consistent with the native Store app, and dark mode is also supported. However, the AI-generated review summaries and the AI hub that were recently introduced on the native app are currently missing on this new web front.

As you may know, Microsoft struggled for many years to get developers to bring their apps to its Microsoft Store, but the situation started to improve around the release of Windows 11. That’s when Microsoft stopped requiring apps to be packaged a certain way or use Microsoft’s services for updates and in-app payments.

You can now find high-profile apps like Firefox, Slack, Discord, or the Epic Games Store on the Microsoft Store. However, popular apps like Steam or Google Chrome, and it’s doubtful that a company like Google will ever bring its apps to the store.

Unfortunately, a lot of apps on the Microsoft Store are just web wrappers, and the Games section is also still filled with low-quality mobile games. Of course, this new fresh coat of paint isn’t going to change that, but maybe a better web experience will push people to check what’s on the Microsoft Store more often.