Five Essential Windows Apps You Won't Find in the Microsoft Store

If you rely on the Microsoft Store as your sole source of Windows apps, you’re missing some of the most useful, time-tested tools power users and everyday PC owners still turn to every day. A recent roundup revived an old truth: despite big improvements to the Store in 2024–2025, several essential, free Windows apps remain distributed outside Microsoft’s marketplace. These include industry staples you’ll likely want on any fresh Windows install — Steam, Notepad++, Calibre, qBittorrent, and the free build of Paint.NET — and each one illustrates a different reason why the Store isn’t yet a complete substitute for direct downloads.

Overview: why apps still live outside the Microsoft Store​

Microsoft’s Store has evolved considerably since the Windows 8 era. The early push to make UWP the only “native” app format alienated developers and stymied adoption, but recent shifts — including official support for Win32 packages and policy changes rolled out around Build 2025 — have made the Store far friendlier to traditional desktop apps. The Store now supports publisher-hosted Win32 installers and even displays a “Last updated” date for apps, a long-requested transparency feature added in 2025.
Still, several forces keep key apps off the Store:

• Developer control and update cadence: many open-source and indie projects prefer to publish direct builds to control release timing, distribution channels, and update mechanisms.
• Licensing and monetization choices: some developers sell a convenience version in the Store while keeping a free classic build available on their own site.
• Technical or policy friction: sandboxing, packaging requirements, and extras like bundled plugins or custom installers don’t always translate cleanly into the Store’s submission model.
• Trust and identity concerns: for open-source projects, the existence of impostor/paid copies in the Store has sometimes made maintainers wary of participating.

Put simply: the Store has improved, but the ecosystem and developer incentives have not fully aligned with it. If you restrict yourself to “apps only from Microsoft Store,” you may forgo workflows and utilities that many Windows pros consider indispensable.

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The five essentials you won’t find (or won’t get for free) in the Microsoft Store​

Below I summarize each app, why it matters, why it isn’t (or isn’t available for free) in the Store, and what to watch out for when you get it from outside the Store.

Steam — the PC gaming backbone​

Steam is the dominant PC game platform and client — a library, DRM layer, multiplayer hub, store, and launcher rolled into one. Its user base numbers well into the tens of millions, and for many gamers the Steam client is a non-negotiable part of a Windows setup.

• Why it’s essential: Steam handles game downloads, updates, friends, achievements, patching, and a huge catalog of titles. For many game publishers and players, the Steam client is the easiest way to manage a modern PC game library.
• Why it’s not a Store app: Steam is a direct competitor to Microsoft’s own storefront and ecosystem investments; Valve distributes the client from its own servers and controls the update and distribution pipeline. That independence also allows Valve to prioritize cross-platform compatibility and rapid client updates.
• How to install safely: download the client from the developer’s official site or the platform’s official channels. Avoid third-party “mirrors” that bundle adware or outdated binaries.
• Risks and mitigations: the primary risks are fake/modified installers from third parties and social-engineering scams. Verify you’re on the official download page, and keep Windows Defender / third-party AV and system backups active.

Notepad++ — far more than a text editor​

Notepad++ is the default “first install” for many developers and power users. Lightweight, plugin-friendly, and extensible, it remains a beloved free editor for code and plain text.

• Why it’s essential: superior syntax highlighting, tabbed editing, macros, and an extensive plugin ecosystem make it a practical drop-in when you need more than the built-in Notepad.
• Why it’s not in the Store: Notepad++ maintainers historically prefer direct distribution — installers and portable builds — to avoid packaging constraints, sandboxing limitations, and potential distribution delays. The project also maintains MSI and portable packages for sysadmins and power users.
• How to install safely: use the official project site or the releases page the project maintains; choose the architecture and installer type appropriate for your environment.
• Risks and mitigations: many third-party forks or copies exist; make sure the binary you download is from the project’s official distribution channel and check signatures/hashes if you need an extra layer of confidence.

Calibre — the e-book library and conversion workhorse​

Calibre is the de facto e-book manager for serious readers. It catalogs, converts, edits metadata, and can send books to devices in multiple formats.

• Why it’s essential: if you manage a large e-book collection or need bulk conversion between EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, PDF and other formats, Calibre does things no built-in reader can.
• Why it’s not in the Store: Calibre has always been published through its own site and community channels. The project values direct control of distribution and the ability to ship platform-appropriate binaries and plugins.
• How to install safely: download from the official project website or trusted mirrors that the project endorses. Follow Calibre’s own guidance for updates and major version upgrades.
• Risks and mitigations: a few distro quirks and occasional update issues surface on new Windows releases; the safe path is the official installer and conservative backups of libraries before mass operations or conversions.

qBittorrent — the open-source torrent client​

qBittorrent is a popular free torrent client known for a clean UI, robust options, and an index/search plugin ecosystem.

• Why it’s essential: it’s a lightweight, powerful torrent client often preferred for legal large-file distributions (Linux ISOs, archives, public datasets) and for users who want a simple, ad-free client.
• Why it’s not reliably in the Store: the official project distributes binaries directly. In the past, unapproved or malicious imitations have appeared in the Store — sometimes charged for — which prompted the project and users to prefer direct downloads.
• How to install safely: always download qBittorrent from the project’s official site or from the official, project-endorsed mirrors/sources. Ignore paid or suspicious Store entries that mimic the project name or iconography.
• Risks and mitigations: the presence of fake/paid copies in the Store is the biggest risk. Verify digital checksums, prefer known mirrors, and monitor official project channels for warnings.

Paint.NET — free classic vs paid Store convenience​

Paint.NET occupies a useful space between the built-in Paint and heavier editors like Photoshop. The wrinkle: the classic, free installer is available from the developer’s website, but the Microsoft Store edition is a small paid convenience purchase designed to support the project.

• Why it’s essential: layers, unlimited undo, plugins, and a clean workflow make Paint.NET a practical choice for quick editing and many photo tasks.
• Why it’s different in the Store: the developer distributes a paid Store version as a way for users to support development easily. A free classic version remains available on the developer site.
• How to install safely: if you want the free edition, download the classic installer from the developer’s site. If you prefer Store-managed installs with automatic updates and the ability to re-install via your Microsoft account, the paid Store edition is available.
• Risks and mitigations: the tradeoff is convenient update coverage (Store) vs free cost and full control (direct download). If you install third-party repackaged installers, verify signatures and prefer official sources.

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Safety-first: how to get apps outside the Microsoft Store without exposing yourself​

When you step outside the Microsoft Store, you take control — and responsibility. The good news is there are established, low-friction practices to keep your PC secure while still using best-of-breed apps.

• Always prefer official channels: vendor websites, project pages, or recognized GitHub/org releases.
• Verify publishers: check the app’s digital signature or cryptographic hash when provided, and validate that the certificate belongs to the official publisher.
• Use package managers for safer installs and updates:
• winget (Windows Package Manager) — system-friendly, scriptable, and increasingly comprehensive.
• Chocolatey or Scoop — long-standing community package managers for Windows power users.
• Ninite — for bulk installs of well-known apps with a single trusted installer.
• Keep system backups and enable system restore points before major installs or bulk updates.
• Harden download hygiene:
• Avoid “download aggregator” sites and random search-result mirrors.
• Look for an explicit “official download” link on the project’s front page; read project announcements when upgrading to new majors.
• Use antivirus and reputation-scanning, but understand that legitimate open-source binaries occasionally trigger false positives; when in doubt, consult project channels.
• For enterprises: rely on managed deployment (Intune, SCCM) and package apps as Win32 LOB packages for controlled distribution. The Microsoft Store’s Intune integration now supports Win32 Store packages in preview, but many admins still package and validate installers centrally.

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Microsoft Store progress and the lingering developer calculus​

Microsoft has made clear moves to make the Store more useful for traditional desktop apps: Win32 packages are supported with publisher-hosted content, the storefront now records “Last updated” for transparency, and the developer experience improved at Build 2025. These changes reduce friction for both publishers and users, and they should increase trust and discoverability over time.
Yet several mismatches remain:

• Discoverability vs control: some developers still prefer the direct model because it gives them faster releases, more flexible licensing, and complete control over update channels.
• Monetization choices: offering a paid Store edition (as with Paint.NET) can be a sustainable way to fund development — but it introduces fragmentation and sometimes surprises users who expect “the same app” to be free.
• Impostor content: the presence of fake or paid copies of free open-source apps in the Store has, in the past, discouraged maintainers from participating. That reputation risk needs consistent policing.
• Enterprise realities: sysadmins still prefer direct MSI/MSIX installers packaged and signed for centralized deployment, offering predictable behavior across machines.

In short, the Store is better and getting better, but it isn’t yet a universal, single-source solution for all users and workloads.

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Critical caveats and claims I could not fully verify​

A few specific claims appear in circulating write-ups and social posts that deserve caution:

• “Microsoft discontinued support for Office installed via the Microsoft Store.” I could not find a clear, authoritative Microsoft announcement stating that Office (Microsoft 365 Apps) support was discontinued specifically because it was installed from the Store. Microsoft’s product servicing policies and lifecycle documents show that Microsoft 365 Apps receive extended servicing windows that can differ from Windows OS servicing, and Office servicing timelines have been communicated separately. If you rely on an edge-case configuration (e.g., Office installed from the Store on an unsupported OS), double-check Microsoft’s official lifecycle and product announcements for your exact channel.
• Exact milestones and rollout windows for new Store features can vary by region and for insiders vs stable rings. While the Store’s “Last updated” field and improved Win32 update behaviors were announced and rolled out in 2025, the timing of availability on specific machines may differ.

When you see definitive-sounding claims about deprecations or “support ended,” verify them against official Microsoft documentation or the product’s lifecycle pages before changing critical deployments.

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Practical, actionable recommendations for Windows users​

If you want the best of both worlds — Store convenience plus the power of classic desktop apps — adopt a mixed approach that favors security and reproducibility.

• For typical users:
• Install mainstream consumer apps from the Store when available (convenience + automatic updates + safer discovery).
• For specialized tools (Steam, Notepad++, Calibre, qBittorrent, Paint.NET free), download from the official project site or use winget to streamline installs.
• Use Defender or a reputable AV, but treat it as one layer of a multi-layered defense.
• For power users and developers:
• Use winget, Chocolatey, or Ninite for reproducible, scriptable installs.
• Keep installers in a versioned repository or system image for faster recovery.
• Prefer signed MSI/MSIX installers when managing fleets and use Intune or your configuration management tool to control updates.
• For IT and enterprise:
• Treat Store apps cautiously for managed endpoints unless they’re provisioned via the company private store.
• Package, sign, and test Win32 installers in your environment; rely on Intune’s Win32 and Store integration where appropriate.
• Maintain clear guidance for employees about approved download sources; lock down reputation-based protections where needed.

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Final analysis: when to embrace the Store and when to stick with classic installs​

The Microsoft Store has made meaningful, practical advances: Win32 support, better developer onboarding, the addition of a “Last updated” field, and tighter Intune integration all reduce friction. For many mainstream apps and casual users, the Store is now a solid, safe starting point.
But the Store’s renaissance won’t magically fold the entire software ecosystem into one marketplace overnight. Open-source projects, large platform vendors, and small indie authors still have legitimate reasons to distribute directly. The five apps discussed here are emblematic: they’re mature, actively maintained, and widely used precisely because developers chose direct distribution to protect control, pace, or funding.
If you care about capability and choice, don’t assume “Store-only” equals “complete.” Instead, adopt a security-aware toolkit: trust official project channels, use package managers for repeatability, keep backups, and treat each external download like a deliberate, auditable action. Doing this preserves the flexibility that made Windows the power user platform of choice — while still taking advantage of the store’s growing conveniences where they make sense.
Ultimately, the healthiest posture is pragmatic: use the Microsoft Store where it provides real benefits; download directly where the Store doesn’t offer the app you need (or only offers a paid convenience edition); and always validate the source and installer before running it. That approach keeps your PC both capable and defended.

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Source: bgr.com 5 Essential Free Apps That Aren't Available On The Microsoft Store - BGR