All the tricks to get the most out of the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store of Windows, although criticized in the past, has improved significantly in recent years. With each new update, Microsoft has added features, useful tweaks, and more effective ways to install, manage, and use the apps available in this store. However, many of these improvements are not widely known to most users, which makes its true potential goes completely unnoticed.

If you've ever wondered how you can get the most out of the Microsoft Store and solve the most common errors, this article is for you. Below we present a detailed guide with Tricks, tips, advanced options and hidden features that will allow you to improve your experience, increase your productivity and avoid typical store problems.

Key features to get the most out of the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store isn't just for downloading and updating apps. It has additional features that you should know about if you want to get the most out of it.

One of the most useful is that of Automatic UpdatesYou can configure the store to automatically update all the apps you've installed from it. To activate it, simply go to the top right menu (where your profile appears), then go to "Settings" and make sure the option is selected. Update apps automatically is enabled. This way, you'll forget about having to manually check for new versions.

You can also manage your payment options from the Store settings menu. Microsoft allows you to save multiple payment methods or add new ones, which is useful if you purchase content like movies, games, or premium apps. Just go to the Payment options and add a card or method of your choice.

In addition, from the store you can redeem promotional codes, whether it's gift cards or codes for games, programs, or additional content. This option appears in the drop-down menu of your profile under "Redeem Code."

Don't forget to check the section regularly My libraryHere you'll find a complete history of all the apps you've downloaded, whether you've installed them or deleted them at some point. From this screen, you can easily reinstall apps with just a couple of clicks.

How to avoid common mistakes when downloading apps

One of the main problems with the Microsoft Store is when the downloads They don't progress, and the message "Acquiring license" appears and won't go away. Fortunately, there are several solutions to this common problem. You can check here how to solve the most common problems with Microsoft Store.

The first step is to check that the date and time of the device are correctly setIf this information doesn't match Microsoft's servers, downloads may fail. Make sure you have automatic sync enabled from: Settings > Time & language > Date & time.

If that doesn't work, you can run the problem solver Windows built-in. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Store AppsThis wizard will detect common errors and attempt to resolve them automatically.

Another alternative, a little more powerful, is to make a complete reset of the application from the Microsoft Store. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find “Microsoft Store” in the list, go to “Advanced Options” and click “Reset.”

And if none of this solves the problem, you can resort to the tool PowerShell. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator and enter the following command to re-register all Store components:

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

As an extreme last resort, you might consider reinstall Windows If the errors are too persistent, although it rarely gets to that point if you follow all the steps above.

Store settings: shortcuts, customization, and more

The Microsoft Store integrates seamlessly with other operating system tools. For example, you can search for apps directly from the Start Menu by typing their name. This makes it easier to access without having to open the Store manually.

In addition, you can find a secret menu with all installed apps on your computer. To access it, open File Explorer and type:

shell:AppsFolder

From here, you'll see a detailed list of each app, both those downloaded from the Microsoft Store and other sources. This trick is very useful if you're looking for a more direct alternative to the Start menu.

Another very practical trick is to create shortcuts so that certain apps start automatically when the computer is turned on. The folder where you should place these shortcuts is:

C:\Users\TuUsuario\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

(Remember to activate the option to see hidden files if it doesn't appear).

Productivity tips and combined use with the Store

Since many apps you can download from the store are focused on productivity (such as Sticky Notes, advanced calculator, calendars, capture tools, etc.), it is useful to know how to integrate them in the best way with the system. Here you can learn how to disable or manage the store if necessary..

For example, you can use Fast notes to leave visual reminders on the desktop. They synchronize with your Microsoft account and also from your mobile.

Through the store you can install advanced tools like screen recorder Xbox (included in Windows 10 and 11), very useful for making tutorials by recording what you do. You can activate it with the keys Windows + G.

Some apps allow disable password entry when logging into the PC (Win + R > netplwiz) or blocking automatic restarts (Windows Update > Change active hours).

If you use apps to watch content like movies, remember that you can always project the screen to a TV wireless compatible via the “Connect to a wireless projection” option from the projection menu.

Customizing access, searching for apps, and organizing

Within the Microsoft Store, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of content. Therefore, it's important to know your Features to customize, organize, and quickly access what you use most. Here you can learn about storage management and cloud storage.

The section Highlighted events displays trending or popular content at the moment. In addition, Selected collections and editorial recommendations tailor suggestions to your tastes or previous searches.

It is also useful to add to the quick access browser Folders you use frequently (such as app downloads or installed content files). Just right-click a folder and select "Pin to Quick Access."

Deleting temporary files and optimizing your system

One way to significantly improve your experience with the Microsoft Store is to make sure that your PC is optimizedThe store's performance also depends on the correct configuration of the operating system.

Activate Storage sensor to have Windows automatically delete unnecessary files when space is low. To enable it:

• Go to Settings > System > Storage
• Activate the "Storage Sense" option
• Go to "Configure Storage Sensor or run it now"
• Adjust the frequency and which files are deleted (downloads, trash, etc.)

In case your system does not have this option, you can use the Disk Cleanup (Type "Librator" in the search bar.) Select the file types you want to delete, primarily those related to app installations.

Finally, consider uninstall those applications that you no longer use. From the route Settings > Apps > Apps & features You can see which ones are taking up the most space and easily delete them.

Another effective option is to move large files to external drives (pendrives, hard drives). portable), for free up space without losing your data.

Using these practices will help you maintain a more agile system and boost the performance of the Microsoft Store.