Windows 10 Creators Update will have options to limit app downloads to Windows Store

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Published onFebruary 27, 2017

published onFebruary 27, 2017

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As you likely know, rumors show that Microsoftis planning to releaseWindows 10 Cloud, which is essentially a “locked down” version of Windows 10 that only allows you to only install apps seen in the Windows Store. It now appears that Microsoft is also bringing the “locked down” strategy to other versions of Windows 10, as new reports are indicating that the Windows 10 Creators Update will also have options to limit app downloads to Windows Store (via Windows Central.)

The option to enable a lock feature which will force users to go to the Windows Store to download and install application, games, and more is available in the latest Windows Insider build and can be found in the app settings portion of Windows 10, with two levels of control.

As seen above, the first of the two app settings options will block non-Windows Store apps, but will also allow for the user to install with an “install anyway” button if there is no Windows Store version of the app available. On the other hand, the second option will completely lock down Windows 10 and will block all non-Windows Store apps from being installed.

It’s clearly obvious that Microsoft might have included this feature to improve the security in Windows 10, but it is worth noting that Apple also previously introduced a somewhatsimilar “Gatekeeper” featurein MacOS which prevents unsigned and non-store apps from being installed. According to Windows Central, these options will be turned off by default on Windows 10 editions that are not Windows 10 Cloud. You can head to the settings portion of the latest Insider Preview builds to check out these features for yourself, so do let us know what you think by dropping us a comment below.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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