The Microsoft Store does not have the same amount of apps as the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but it does contain quite a few useful apps. We select the most useful apps that should not be missing in your Windows 10 environment, these are the best Windows 10 apps.
Tip 01: Install apps
You open the Microsoft Store via the Start menu: click on Start, type Store and click Microsoft Store. The content of the Microsoft Store is divided into different categories, such as Productivity and Games. Click on a tab to open the corresponding category. You can also search directly for a specific app. Use the search box at the top right of the window to do this. Also use this search box to find the apps we discuss in this article.
New versions of apps are automatically downloaded regularly. You can also do this manually. Press the button More information and choose Downloads and updates. Then click on Download updates. For a complete overview of installed apps, choose My library. The available apps are shown on the right side of the window. Via the menu on the left you can sort the apps by full view, which apps are now installed, which were but are no longer, which apps are ready to be installed and which apps have recently been downloaded or updated. To adjust the general settings of the Store, click More information and choose you Settings.
Tip 02: Device management
You can “link” up to ten different devices to the Microsoft Store. Once the maximum has been reached, you can no longer download apps and games. To fix this, unplug another device to create space again. Get an overview of paired devices to see which devices are now connected. In the Microsoft Store you choose More information (the button at the top right of the window, recognizable by the three dots) and click Settings. Bee Offline permissions click Manage your devices. A new page with overview of paired devices opens.
This can be computers, but also other devices such as telephones. Are there too many? Then see which devices you no longer want to link to the Microsoft Store. click on Disconnect and confirm the action. Now you can add the other device and download apps and other content again.
No password
Are you the only user of the computer? Then you can disable the Store from asking for a password every time you purchase an item from the Store. Choose More information and Settings. Bee Sign Up set the slider to buy something On Bee I want to buy without a password to pay faster. Buying paid apps is now easier.
With Ziggo Go, you can add videos to a watch list to stream them one after the other
Tip 03: Ziggo Go
The provider app is worthwhile for Ziggo subscribers. The app gives you access to the content within your subscription in Windows 10. Think of live television, but also of any series from an additional package. The app checks which region you are in when you start. As long as this is within the European Union, you can view most of the content. In our tests, loading the streams went with varying degrees of success, but once running the app works fine. The app keeps track of what you’ve watched and offers to resume the stream from there. Convenient is the option to add videos to a watch list, so you can watch a series quickly, for example. Via the settings you can create your own channel overview and include the channels that you watch regularly.
Tip 04: Netflix
Netflix has also developed an app for Windows 10. The app is nice to have the possibility to download content, so that you can watch the material at a later time (and without an internet connection), for example on the plane. Via the settings you can determine the video quality and optimize it for the connection you use. In addition, enable the option Smart Downloads In: Automatically removes downloaded series once you’ve viewed them, and there’s room for new downloads again. In an overview you can also see how much space is occupied by the Netflix content.
Click on the trash can at Delete All Downloads to clean up the disk in one go. Click the button at the top left for an overview of all categories with content. below My Downloads you will find the offline collection and the possibility to Smart Downloads switch on and off quickly. The app supports multiple user accounts, which you can switch between. Via that account, Netflix remembers where you have stayed on another device (for example via a set-top box or a phone), so that you can look further from that point.
How much space
Curious about the amount of disk space taken up per app? Open the Windows settings window and go to Apps / Apps and parts. Choose right on the right Sort by Size. You now see how much space is taken up per app. Note: the list also includes “classic” Windows programs, which you have not installed through the Store.
Photoshop Express is for all (simple) edits that you want to make on your photos
Tip 05: Adobe Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express offers simple photo editing in a user-friendly environment. With the little brother of the well-known Photoshop you can make quick adjustments to photos. This is also possible by applying filters: the makers have included 45 standard effects, which you can use as a starting point and adjust yourself. The program also lends itself well to other simple edits: think of adjusting the photo ratios and rotating skewed photos. Furthermore, the app contains a few useful extras, such as the possibility to remove red eyes from photos and to add existing frames to existing photos.
You can also retouch spots, such as dust on scanned analog photos. The app is regularly updated. Numerous file formats are supported, including jpg, png and raw files. When you create an Adobe ID, you have access to additional features and expansion packs. The photo material is shown on the right side of the window, while you can access the settings via the menus on the left. The app also works well on a tablet in combination with touch control.
Tip 06: Microsoft To Do
If you use to-do lists, Microsoft To Do should not be missing from your app collection. If you have used Wunderlist in the past, you can import the existing tasks into To Do. The app takes over the look of Windows and also supports a dark theme. In addition to the lists that you create yourself, To Do also supports “smart lists”. These lists are compiled dynamically and display, for example, tasks that you have identified as important or tasks that you have previously planned. To Do supports shared lists in which you can assign tasks to others. This list is also shown by default. If you want a clean working environment and do not use these options, you can hide the lists via the settings window.
It is even more convenient to automatically hide lists that are empty. Set the slide to On Bee Automatically hide empty smart lists. The app supports multiple accounts, so you can, for example, keep business and personal lists and each can place them under their own account. To Do synchronizes the tasks with other devices so that they are available everywhere.
WhatsApp Dekstop does depend on your phone: it must be switched on
Tip 07: WhatsApp Desktop
You do not only have to use WhatsApp on your phone, you can also send and receive messages via the computer. We use WhatsApp Desktop for this. After installation, connect the app to your phone. The app shows a QR code that you scan with the phone. WhatsApp Desktop depends on your phone, which also means that the phone must be turned on while using the app. Via the desktop app you can save received media (such as photos, videos and audio) directly on your computer. The Settings window provides access to a limited set of settings that you also find over the phone, such as accessing blocked contact lists and customizing the background of the conversation window.
Tip 08: WiFi Analyzer
If you want more information about the status and health of your wireless network, Matt Analyzer WiFi Analyzer is a valuable addition to your app collection. The first time, the app asks which region you are in to take into account local restrictions (such as the channels used). The app consists of tabs, of which Analysis the most useful is: here you can see the signal strength per wifi channel. Based on this, you can see which other networks may “clash” with your own network and you can implement optimizations. For example, by changing your own channel to another channel, so that you are less “bothered” by other networks. On the tab Networking you see the other networks in your area.
Tip 09: Your phone
You don’t need to install a few apps, but they are already standard in the latest versions of Windows 10. A good example of this is the Your Phone app. This app connects directly to your phone and gives you access to text messages, photos and phone notifications from your Windows computer. If you use an Android phone, the app gives access to more resources than with the iPhone (due to Apple restrictions). You can use your photos directly from your Android phone on your PC by dragging them to the local computer. It is a pity that the makers show a maximum of 25 photos, because in practice you quickly feel the need to go back in time. The link with the phone notifications is handy: as soon as an app generates a notification, it is also displayed within Windows.
Tip 10: TuneIn Radio
The TuneIn Radio app gives you access to about 100,000 radio stations at home and abroad. Through Browse you get an overview of the different categories. Several theme channels are available, such as Music, Sports and News. Besides a selection based on theme, you can also select radio stations based on your current location. Depending on your listening behavior, comparable channels are offered by TuneIn Radio. The collection also includes podcasts.
Only from the Store
Apps in the Microsoft Store are continuously monitored and are only included in the store if they meet different quality requirements. This is in contrast to other software, which you can download from different sources in practice. If you only work with apps from the Microsoft Store or if you want more control over which programs are installed (for example if you set up a computer for your children), you can set in Windows that only apps from the Microsoft Store can be installed. Other apps are being blocked.
Open the Windows settings window (Windows key + I) and go to Apps / Apps and parts. In the window on the right, choose the option Choose where you want to download apps in front of Microsoft Store only. You can also opt for an intermediate form, where Windows “alerts” you as soon as a Microsoft Store app is available if you are about to install a classic program. Then choose the option Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a similar app in the Microsoft Store.
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