Windows Store

Windows Store is an app store for Microsoft Windows, starting with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. It is the primary means of distributing Metro-style apps, although traditional desktop apps can also be listed on it. Both free and paid apps can be distributed through Windows Store, with paid apps ranging in cost from US$0.99 to $999.99. Windows Store was first made available with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on February 29, 2012. Later in 2015, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Video and Xbox Music stores were merged into Windows Store.

As with other similar platforms, such as the Mac App Store and Google Play, Windows Store is curated and apps must be certified for compatibility and content. With all app sales, Microsoft takes 30% of the sale price. Prior to January 1, 2015, the cut was reduced to 20% after the developer's profits reached $25,000.

According to Microsoft, as of September 28, 2015, there are over 669,000 apps available on the Windows Store, which includes apps for Windows NT, Windows Phone, and Universal apps, which work on both platforms. Games, Entertainment, Books and Reference, and Education are the largest categories by number of apps and the majority of the app developers have 1 app.

Metro-style apps

Metro-style apps, officially known as Windows Store apps, is a class of mobile apps distributed via Windows Store for Microsoft Windows. These apps are unlike traditional Windows desktop software in terms of design, development, distribution and contents.

Nomenclature

Starting with Windows 10, Windows itself consistently uses the phrase "desktop app" to refer to all traditional computer programs. The phrase "Windows Store app" is used to refer to the Metro-style apps, even those that do not come from Windows Store.

Look and feel

Found in Windows, Mac OS and Linux, traditional desktop software could run inside windows with distinct borders. Their border could bear a title bar which displayed application title, a system menu, and optionally a set of maximize, minimize, close and help buttons. Their window could be resized horizontally and vertically. They are controlled by visible elements of user interface, including menus, toolbars, ribbons, scroll bars and window borders, which have become so elaborate in Windows Vista and Windows 7 that they require specialized apps (such as Window Clippings) for taking screenshots.