Windows 10: I Want Windows 10 To Never Install Anything From Outside Of The Store

in my extended family I'm the one they talk to when they have a problem on their PCs , most of the problems caused by trying to install a program and downloading something else (sometimes malicious) or downloading the right program but getting malware/adware installed with it (that slow-down the device or fill the browser with adds and pop-ups) . these issue are common among normal windows users and all of them caused by the lack of a trusted download source for all programs .

now Microsoft want to solve the last part by making the Windows Store a place for win32 programs , and I really like that , now when I setup a device for a family member I want Microsoft to give me the option to choose to never allow the user to install anything from outside the store , this actually will make windows very secure and give me the peace of mind that it will work for any of my family members with no issues (and they can use the store to get any app or program) .

I actually think this should be the default (and being by default locked to the store this will encourage the developers to put there win32 programs on the store ASAP )

I think what I'm asking is for windows to be secure and stable for normal consumers (like Windows RT or iPad IOS) ,and now Microsoft have a chance to make it that safe and stable with Windows 10 store )

and I posted this request at windows uservoice (you can vote for it from here )

:)

 

How to install apps from outside the Store in Windows 10 S?

Hi Sefat,

If you have a Windows 10 PC running Windows 10 S, you may notice that it won't install apps from outside the Windows Store. Technically, Microsoft designed it that way. Windows 10 S is designed for security and performance, exclusively running apps
from the Windows Store.

Customers with Windows 10 S who need the features of Windows 10 Pro can switch to Pro through the Windows Store. To assist you with your concern, if you want to install an app, not in the Windows Store, you'll need to switch to Windows 10 Pro. To do
this, you can follow the steps provided on this link. The link contains the necessary information on how to switch from Windows 10 S to Pro.

Note:

There's a cost to switching from Windows 10 S to Pro. Payment is collected through the Windows Store.

Switching to Pro is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to Windows 10 S.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

How to install apps from outside the Store in Windows 10 S?

Hi Elle,

Installing apps outside the Store is restricted in Windows 10 S, as it was designed by Microsoft that way. If you click the link after being asked if you want to install apps outside the Windows Store, you will be routed ta link, as what the original poster
mentioned. It means that you are being offered to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for you to be able to install apps purchased outside the Store, that's why you are routed to the Store after clicking the link.

Let us know if you have other concerns. We're here to help.

 

As with the Apple Store both Microsoft and Apple are basically shooting for this idea of yours. It is one that I too would like to see across all platforms. . .*Smile. Oh by the way that is with regular apps and Win Store apps (for those who are about to state that they will never, ever, no matter what use a Win Store App. ..*Tongue)

 

exactly , I only suggested this because now microsoft can have real win32 apps on the store

I think this will be a huge gain for windows , since all of it's problems (adware , malware ,viruses and apps lftover junk..etc) are all installed by the user himself , so if it's locked to the store by default normal users will not face all these problems .

apple already did that with mac os

 

I have to install everything from outside of Win Stores as there are no useful Apps for me in there *Tongue

 

I would hate windows being locked to only getting programs from the store

Especially if its like the Mac App store from last time I checked

 

You can use Group Policy to define which kinds of apps can and can't be installed. Unfortunately, you need to be using the Enterprise version to get AppLocker, which provides the nice UI to manage the app store.

 

Quick question. Malwares, viruses and other threats can be distributed via store or not? Is it so safe?

 

That wouldn't work for a lot of program that person might want. Here are some programs people use but wouldn't be able to get at the store. Quicktime for windows, Libreoffice for windows, openoffice for windows, 7zip, Free Avg, Free Avast (I would use major geeks to download not Cnet), Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, facebook programs (Some play games that is not malware). If you don't own the computer, people would hate it if a tech locked out the computer they owned. You forgot, if you locked them to just the store, the system wouldn't be able to get windows updates. I use open source software. Html5 is just starting, so it going to take awhile before flash is not needed.

 

Every one of those apps could be distributed through the store. (That doesn't mean they will, but they could be). You seem to be confusing the store with Windows Universal Apps. More than just Universal apps can be distributed through the store.

 

If that ever happened, enterprise might as well drop Windows entirely. It'd take away the one advantage that Windows still has over iOS and Android. If you have to use a built-in store, you might as well use the more mature ones.

 

I am sure Microsoft will allow people to download the take ownership registry file through the store. I am not going to be restricted where I downloaded from.


Even Linux allows you to use third party Personal Package Archives at your own risk, that how I installed grub customizer.

 

There is a much simpler solution.
Invest on and install Malwarebytes Premium. It will stop and block malicious websites and stop suspicious installations right away.





Malicious websites will never open... ( I deliberately tried to open a "malicious" website just to show what will happen).





That's all you need. *Smile

 

If it was optional I wouldn't have a problem with it. That is something I definitely would never use.