Microsoft is currently testing a redesigned Microsoft Store for Windows 11, which is available to Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev channels. The new version of the Microsoft Store features a new downloads section, Windows Latest has discovered.
Previously, you could view all installed apps in the Library tab of the Microsoft Store app and update them if necessary. This has now changed as Microsoft is making it easier for you to manage your apps.
The new download area
The redesigned Microsoft Store has a new Downloads tab in the left sidebar, just above the existing Library tab. When you click Downloads, you’ll see a list of all the apps installed on your Windows computer (including both free and paid apps).
You can update all your apps at once using the big Get Updates button in the top right. Or you can update each application individually using the three-dot menu in each app’s listing.
The three-dot menu also lets you do a few other things, such as sharing the app with others, writing a review and rating the app, pinning the app to your taskbar, and viewing the app’s release notes.
The changed library area
The Library tab also lets you see all the apps installed on your system, as well as any apps you’ve purchased but aren’t currently installed on your PC. The goal here isn’t to update your apps, but to get a complete overview of all the apps in an efficient way.
Each app displays the date you installed the app. Unlike the downloads section, however, you can switch between overviews here (e.g. a list of all apps, games only, movies only, etc.). You can sort these lists by date or name and filter by currently installed apps. There is also a search field.
All in all, this change in the Microsoft Store, which provides a division into downloads and library, makes it easier to keep track of all installed apps.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC-WELT and has been translated and localized from German.
