The Microsoft Store, first introduced in 2012 as the Windows Store, has improved significantly over the years. The interface is user-friendly, the app database has expanded, and the updates are more seamless than ever. In its early days, the store wasn't a huge hit amongst users, but over the years, especially since the release of Windows 11, it has witnessed a significant rise in adoption.

However, if we were to look beyond this, it's a fact that Microsoft Store is still plagued with issues that affect its basic functioning and render it completely unusable for many. I have tried it on several occasions, but I always ended up downloading apps from their dedicated websites. Perhaps, we are a step closer to a streamlined, one-stop solution to install Windows apps, but the Microsoft Store's reliability remains a primary concern.

3 Frequent errors are a major turnoff

Can't keep fixing store-related issues every few days

If you actively install apps from the Microsoft Store, you might have come across an error or two. And that’s just the beginning. There are cases where the store fails to load or throws an error when trying to download or update apps. While it mostly has to do with corrupted cache, issues with the system files, or some misconfiguration with the OS, troubleshooting can take a while. Clearing the store cache may fix some of these, but when the issue isn’t linked to the store itself, you will have to opt for advanced troubleshooting methods.

Honestly, no one really minds an occasional glitch, but when it starts happening too frequently, the entire experience goes downhill. That's not something I expect from a software I intend to rely on so extensively. I know I can fix the issues, but ideally, I shouldn't have to. Other app stores like Steam, the Apple App Store, and Google Play generally provide a more stable experience, and the Microsoft Store should be no different.

2 Microsoft Store still offers limited options

You don't always get the latest app version

App availability has definitely improved on the Microsoft Store. Most modern-day apps are now available, but not all of them. I used PicPick to capture and annotate screenshots for a long time. It was good, but the app never made its way to the Microsoft Store. There are alternatives like ShareX, but not PicPick. So I had to download it from the official website on all three of my systems.

Similarly, my favorite video editing software, DaVinci Resolve, never made it to the Microsoft Store. And when I searched for DaVinci Resolve on the store, the first few results were so off the mark. The top result had a bunch of bad reviews, it wasn't from a reputable developer, and it was not free, as claimed. The algorithm shouldn't be promoting such apps when reliable options exist on the Microsoft Store.

Besides, you don't always get the latest app version. Developers often make updates available on their official websites first. Then, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account to download a wide array of apps. I, for one, am not a fan of linking my Microsoft account, given the concerns surrounding data collection. I realize I may have to for some apps, particularly those that are subscription-based or require age verification, but I still wish it weren't mandatory for so many of them.

All this just points to the fact that the store is far from perfect and needs a series of user-oriented refinements if it wants to emerge as the one-stop solution, like the dedicated stores on other operating systems.

1 The Microsoft Store still feels slow and laggy

Even after more than a decade

Performance is another area where the Microsoft Store still struggles. First off, it takes a few seconds to load, and navigating between sections is slow. I am not blaming the UI; it's good. The options are all positioned clearly, ensuring easy accessibility, but when you switch between them, there's always a lag. At least that's what I faced on all my systems.

I wouldn't have complained about it a few years ago, when the Microsoft Store was still in its infancy. But if the team couldn't optimize it for performance even after a decade, I am bound to look for alternatives. And with there being an easy option — downloading apps from their respective websites — the Microsoft Store just doesn't seem viable.

I want to switch but only when the Store becomes reliable

I believe that Microsoft Store has potential. It's safe, especially with all the checks in place. And I know I can't really blame Microsoft for the unavailability of apps. At this point, it's the developers who haven't made up their minds yet. But there's something Microsoft could do. It should commit to resolving issues related to performance and stability, making it easier to fix common errors, instead of focusing on AI integration in almost everything. And when that happens, I will switch to the Microsoft Store for good.