Why the Microsoft Store Falls Short: Missing Apps and Their Alternatives

As of August 2023, the Microsoft Store (formerly known as the Windows Store) has made significant improvements in app availability. However, despite these advancements, certain categories of software are still lacking. This article explores the most frequently missing applications and the options available to users to cover these gaps.

Popular Creative Software

One area where the Microsoft Store often falls short is in providing comprehensive creative software suites. For instance:

Adobe Creative Cloud: While some Adobe apps are available, the full suite is not natively supported on the Microsoft Store. This limitation restricts video editing options, particularly when using Final Cut Pro on Windows users.

Professional Development Tools

Professional development tools, essential for fields such as engineering and scientific computations, are another area of concern:

MATLAB: While alternatives may be available, MATLAB remains a go-to for many professionals. The lack of the full version in the Store can be a drawback for engineering and design professionals. AutoCAD: The full version of AutoCAD is not available in the Store, which could pose a challenge for professionals in design and engineering.

Gaming Platforms

The Microsoft Store's gaming offerings also leave something to be desired:

Steam: While many popular games are available through Steam, the platform itself is not available in the Microsoft Store. Users often opt to download Steam directly from their website. Epic Games Store: Similar to Steam, the Epic Games Store is not available in the Microsoft Store, which can be frustrating for many PC gamers.

Comprehensive Office Suites

For those in need of a complete office software suite, the missing options are clear:

LibreOffice: While there are alternatives, LibreOffice is not directly downloadable from the Microsoft Store. This can be inconvenient for users who rely on this software.

Specialized Software

Specialized software, catered to niche fields like data analysis or engineering, may not be found:

Niche software like SPSS, specialized engineering tools, etc.

Social Media Apps

Popular social media apps may offer limited functionality or be missing entirely:

Instagram, Snapchat: These platforms often provide limited functionality or no dedicated apps on Windows.

Customization Tools

Users looking for customization tools may find these outside the Store:

Rainmeter, StartIsBack: These tools for modifying or enhancing the Windows user interface are often found on third-party websites.

Privacy and Security Apps

For those prioritizing privacy and security, comprehensive security suites or advanced privacy tools may be missing:

Advanced security suits and privacy tools

User Experiences

While some of these apps can still be installed on Windows via direct downloads or third-party websites, the absence of these applications in the Microsoft Store can make it less appealing for certain users. Most of the big players are now either as official versions or third-party versions. However, this may disappoint users who rely on specific applications for their daily tasks. For example:

Banking Apps: The lack of banking apps can be mitigated by using the bank's login page as a tile on the main screen. Better Third-Party Versions: Some apps, such as the Blackberry Messenger app, may have better versions on Windows than on iOS and Android.

Stability and Performance: Windows is often praised for its stability and efficiency, which can be attributed to its broad compatibility and lower hardware requirements compared to Android and iOS.

Despite these shortcomings, the Microsoft Store's improvements over time suggest that they will continue to address these gaps. However, for existing users, the missing apps can still be a point of frustration. Ultimately, if only Microsoft would focus on fixing these issues, especially the lack of apps, Windows could be the best system by far!