Do I Need App Installer Windows 10

If you're really, really ill of the Microsoft Store, Microsoft now offers a return to the glorious days of the command line interface. Meet App Installer, Microsoft'southward new package manager for Windows.

Microsoft (a piddling defensively) announced the App Installer package managing director in a blog post that coincides with the opening of Microsoft Build, Microsoft'southward developer conference. That'due south meaning, as developers have typically worked within a command line or text interface, writing thousands of lines of code. Parcel managers are likewise the preferred way of installing software under Linux, which manages the software and any dependencies that it requires.

In Windows, of course, software downloads are typically a single executable, .MSI parcel, or .Zip file. Users tin download them via a website, a service like Steam, the Microsoft Shop, or other locations. Microsoft wants to make clear that all of those won't go away.

But, for whatever reason, if youwant to open up a command crush and simply download the app yous want without wading through the Microsoft Store or any of the other venues, yous can. To be fair, other Windows packet managers already exist, such every bit Chocolately. They're an easy way to simply type ane command and kick off an automated process to download and prepare up a pre-adamant number of apps in the background.

Demetrius Nelon, the senior programme manager at Microsoft responsible for the app, explained that it's beingness provided every bit part of the Windows Insider beta rings. One time you're signed up, you lot can then download the App Installer app from the Microsoft Shop. (Warning: direct link.)

Nelon made articulate thatcipher volition alter for traditional Windows users. "What does this hateful for the Windows store? Information technology doesn't mean anything for the Windows store," Nelon wrote. "The Windows Packet Manager is a command line interface, no marketing, no images, no commerce. Although we do plan on making those apps installable too."

Nelon said that Microsoft looked at other Windows bundle managers and decided to go its own route. "What well-nighinsert any other package director here? We call up they are great. If they want to leverage our repository of validated packages, they can. If they want to encounter how we are doing it, information technology is open up source. We're open to feedback and suggestions."

Unfortunately, not all apps in the Windows Store are available via App Installer, but more than are manifestly on their way.

Oddly, that wasn't the only text-based interface to be launched at Build. A new PowerToys app, known equally PowerToys Run, allows you to launch apps and documents by installing the software and so launching it via a Windows shortcut. Of course, the Win+R shortcut already allows you lot to do that, or you lot can only type the Windows primal, so the name of the app. Still, the first day of Build was apparently all about authoring diverse means to practice the same matter.