Tag Archives: windows build 15042

New Windows 10 feature blocks desktop apps, and points to Windows Store instead

The mainstream release of Windows 10 may soon have a setting that prevents installing anything but Windows Store apps.

New Windows 10 feature blocks desktop apps, points to Windows Store instead

Credit: Microsoft

If you’re worried about Microsoft locking down Windows 10 PCs and locking out traditional desktop apps, this story won’t make you feel any better. Microsoft quietly added an interesting feature to Windows Insider build 15042 that can prevent users from installing traditional desktop programs (Win32 apps). Users instead are prompted to download Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps from the Windows Store.