Solved When should I install apps from the Windows Store?

noob

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Hi,

I'm new to Windows 8.1 and just discovered the Windows Store. What are the advantages or disadvantages of using the Windows Store? it doesn't contain many of the apps I've needed so far, and for like VLC there is a store offering but you can download VLC from the VideoLAN website - when should I install apps from the Store vs download them from the suppliers website?

Thanks

Noob
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit
You download apps from the Windows Store when you want touch optimized "modern" apps. If you aren't using a touch enabled computer then you are probably better off installing/running the regular Windows desktop program (if available) since the "modern" apps found in the Store are generally not as full featured.
 

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Well, not exactly right about all Apps being unfriendly with mouse, most of them run just fine without touch screen but I can't find any good ones except for few games.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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Well, not exactly right about all Apps being unfriendly with mouse, most of them run just fine without touch screen but I can't find any good ones except for few games.
Nothing was said about apps being "unfriendly with mouse".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
What about "when you want touch optimized "modern" apps." ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
What about "when you want touch optimized "modern" apps." ?
Touch optimized does not mean the same thing as mouse unfriendly. A touch optimized app uses large buttons and links that are created so they can be easily used by touch. A standard desktop app is not touch optimized and uses smaller buttons and menus/sub-menus that are more difficult (not impossible) to use by touch.

Compare the "modern" version of IE which is touch optimized with the desktop version of IE, they are both usable with a mouse but the modern version of IE is easier to use by touch than its counterpart.

For me, when I use my tablet running Win 8.1, I use apps from the Store since they are much easier to use on a touch only device with no mouse/keyboard. However, on my laptop with mouse/keyboard, I tend to stick with standard desktop apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
What about "when you want touch optimized "modern" apps." ?
Touch optimized does not mean the same thing as mouse unfriendly. A touch optimized app uses large buttons and links that are created so they can be easily used by touch. A standard desktop app is not touch optimized and uses smaller buttons and menus/sub-menus that are more difficult (not impossible) to use by touch.
Well, you made it sound like all of them can not be used with anything else but fingers. The very few of them I have can't be even used with touch.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
very helpful strollin, thank you. I have a touchscreen so will explore the windows store before seeking alternative installs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit
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