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Windows 10 Creators Update allows blocking of non-Store apps

by Mark Tyson on 28 February 2017, 09:31

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Windows 10

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In the latest Insider Preview Build of Windows 10 there's an interesting new toggle setting. As spotted by Twitter user Vitor Mikaelson, users can select in the Apps & Features Installing apps section, whether to:

  • Allow apps from anywhere,
  • Prefer apps from the Store, but allow apps from anywhere, or
  • Allow apps from the Store only.

To be clear, this switch only applies its rules to installation. For example, any apps you have installed prior to moving the toggle will stay installed and usable. By default, on new Insider Preview Build 15042 of Windows 10, the toggle is set to the first position; 'Allow apps from anywhere'.

The scope of this setting is very similar to the MacOS Gatekeeper, which has been part of that OS since 2012. Even for power users the restriction might be useful as the setting can be toggled after you have set your PC up with all your favourite programs and apps, suggests MSPowerUser - acting as a kind of malware-guard.

As a reminder, Microsoft is expected to launch an entry level version of Windows which is locked down in that you can 'Allow apps from the Store only', with no choice to toggle this setting off. The so called 'Windows 10 Cloud' could be part of Microsoft's fight against Google Chromebooks but would be upgradeable post-purchase, it is thought. More or less a week after we first heard of Windows 10 Cloud, someone had bypassed the UWP app-only restrictions to install Win32 programs.

Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 10 Creators Update and WIndows 10 Cloud in April.



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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On paper this sounds like a good idea as some end-users with very basic understanding can be very install happy, however is the Windows store much better for malware, junk, and PUP's? Last time i read about Windows Store people where saying it's a bit of a mess.
I'm missing a fourth option, “Deny apps from the Store”.

Perhaps “missing” is a bit misleading, though, since I have no intention of installing Windows 10 (other than in a VM for scientific reasons).
“upgradeable post-purchase” - by paying the FULL retail price for a fresh key, just like trying to upgrade from W10 Home to W10 Pro.
iworrall
“upgradeable post-purchase” - by paying the FULL retail price for a fresh key, just like trying to upgrade from W10 Home to W10 Pro.

Well, to be fair think about it this way: if it wasn't like this people would get free copies of Cloud and an easy discount that they didn't earn for any particular reason.

Besides, Cloud is almost certainly only going to end up in tight-ship enterprise and educational environments, or low end tablet type stuff. The kind of place where upgrading either isn't a possibility or the device is essentially throwaway regardless.

I'm sure it's described as upgradable because it will transition any files or apps you already had and paid for, and try to save you time and money.

No, I don't work for Microsoft.
Doesn't Windows already have this sort of functionality with UAC? A prompt when you try to install anything asking if you're sure you want to install it.

Looks to me like the Windows Store hasn't been as profitable for MS as the App Store for Apple so MS want to encourage users to use it more.