desktop apps

Microsoft is quietly reshaping how Windows users discover, launch, and update applications by rolling out a Microsoft Store redesign that surfaces downloads and makes it easier to launch apps you already have on your PC—whether they were installed from the Store or from a developer’s site. Early...

Microsoft is quietly testing a true “Continue on PC” experience for Android apps inside Windows 11 — a handoff-style feature currently available to Windows Insiders that lets you pick up an activity running on an Android phone and resume it on a Windows 11 PC, with Spotify acting as the first...

Xiaomi’s Mi Pad 2 blurred the lines between Android tablets and Windows slates by shipping in two distinct software configurations: a lightweight MIUI-flavored Android model and a version that ships with the full desktop Windows 10 running on an Intel Atom x5‑Z8500. The Windows edition is not an...

Here is how you can turn on app permissions for your microphone in Windows 10 and Windows 11, based on the official Microsoft Support article: For Windows 11 Open Settings: Select Start > Settings. Navigate to Privacy & security. Under App permissions, select Microphone. Make sure Microphone...

In a recent update, WhatsApp has transitioned its Windows 11 desktop application from a native Universal Windows Platform (UWP) framework to a Microsoft WebView2-based architecture. This shift aligns the desktop experience more closely with WhatsApp Web but has raised concerns regarding...

WhatsApp, long celebrated as one of the best-executed native apps for Windows 11, is undergoing a major architectural shift that has taken many by surprise. After several years invested in WinUI and native platform integration, Meta has now decided to abandon the Universal Windows Platform (UWP)...

When organizations and individuals weigh Microsoft 365 against Google Workspace, they’re not just comparing two brands—they’re choosing between fundamentally different philosophies of productivity, integration, and digital privacy. Both platforms aim to be your “office in the cloud,” but each...

Microsoft’s sustained drive for a seamless application experience on Windows has taken a major step forward with the introduction of App Actions support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) starting with Microsoft Edge version 137. This pivotal enhancement positions PWAs to deliver productivity...

LiveDeskCal has introduced a new desktop calendar widget for Windows 11, aiming to streamline daily scheduling by integrating calendar functionalities directly onto the desktop. This tool is designed to keep users' agendas visible and synchronized without the need to open additional applications...

Microsoft is rolling out a suite of enhancements to Windows 11, reflecting its ongoing commitment to refining the user experience through AI-driven features and deep system integrations. Among these changes stands a deceptively simple new capability: enabling users to download Microsoft Store...

The world of digital productivity is saturated with feature-rich tools, but sometimes, the most effective solution is also the simplest. For many Windows users, one such tool is the understated yet powerful Sticky Notes app. While it’s easy to overlook, especially compared to robust task...

Your computer’s camera is a wonderful tool—whether you're joining a late-night video call with your friends, getting down to business on Microsoft Teams, or perfecting your selfie game. However, cameras also tread into the murky waters of privacy concerns. That’s where knowing how to manage...

Ever found yourself halfway through editing a Microsoft Word document only to realize you're stuck in the restricted environment of Word Online? The frustration is palpable. The same goes for Excel and PowerPoint—there's nothing quite like discovering you're working in an online version that...

Let’s face it: a chunk of our digital life happens inside the confines of a browser these days. Whether you’re pounding away in Gmail, grabbing files from Google Drive, or hopping between meetings on Zoom, the browser often acts as both your desk and your doorway. But what if you’ve had enough...

Since launching the new Microsoft Store on Windows last year, we’ve welcomed thousands of great desktop apps and games. We are excited to introduce the Microsoft Store App Awards and recognize select developers and apps. We're excited to introduce the Microsoft Store Community Choice Awards...

Hi. I wanted to change default mail program to Thunderbird. I went to settings > default programs and then when I clicked Mail app the only option I got was to choose from some web browsers and... "SEARCH IN MICROSOFT STORE". There was no option to choose an app from my disc. What worse the same...

XAML Islands was our first solution to enable developers to use UWP XAML inside their desktop (Win32) apps. Within a couple of months after the release of XAML Islands, behavioral insights and customer interviews raised some signals about how developers were using it. We discovered that a...

It has been one month since the first-ever, completely virtual Microsoft Build, where we unveiled new tools and updates to make developing for all 1 billion Windows 10 devices easier. It’s an exciting time for Windows, and if you missed the event or just want to relive the announcements, here...

We are excited to announce that the Rust/WinRT project finally has a permanent and public home on GitHub: microsoft/winrt-rs Rust/WinRT follows in the tradition established by C++/WinRT of building language projections for the Windows Runtime using standard languages and compilers, providing a...

In Settings, I am under "Allow desktop apps to access your camera" and I have it switched to On. Beneath that, I have three apps, beginning with Chrome, Skype and Zoom. My question is, how do I disable any of them, such as Chrome & Skype? Under "Choose which Microsoft Store Apps can access...