History of Microsoft Store in Timeline
The Microsoft Store is Microsoft's digital distribution platform. Originating with Windows 8 as an app store for Universal Windows Platform apps, it evolved into a unified platform with Windows 10 (version 1803) by incorporating other Microsoft distribution channels. It distributes apps, console games, and digital videos. Music and E-books were previously available but have since been discontinued.
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November 2008: Windows Marketplace discontinued, Microsoft Store opened
In November 2008, Microsoft discontinued Windows Marketplace and opened a web-based storefront called "Microsoft Store".
September 13, 2011: Microsoft Announces Windows Store
On September 13, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Store, a digital distribution service for Windows, at the Build developer conference.
February 2012: Windows Store becomes available in the Consumer Preview
In February 2012, the Windows Store became available with the "Consumer Preview" release of Windows 8.
December 2012: Guidelines were amended in December 2012
In December 2012, Microsoft amended its guidelines to remove the discrepancy between PEGI and ESRB ratings.
2012: Microsoft Store not installed by default in Windows Server 2012
In 2012, the Microsoft Store is not installed by default in Windows Server 2012, apps can be installed through sideloading.
2015: Over 669,000 apps were available on the store in 2015
In 2015, over 669,000 apps were available on the Microsoft Store, including apps for Windows NT, Windows Phone, and UWP apps. The most numerous app categories were Games, Entertainment, Books and Reference, and Education.
January 12, 2016: Windows 8 RTM unsupported since January 12, 2016
Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, the RTM version of Windows 8 has been unsupported since January 12, 2016.
2016: Microsoft Studios games distributed via Microsoft Store since 2016
From 2016, most Microsoft Studios games ported to PC were distributed exclusively via the Microsoft Store.
June 2017: Spotify became available in the Windows Store in June 2017
In June 2017, Spotify became available in the Windows Store.
October 2, 2017: Microsoft announced ceasing sale of digital music on October 2, 2017
On October 2, 2017, Microsoft announced that the sale of digital music on the Microsoft Store would cease on December 31.
2017: Digital music included until the end of 2017
In 2017, the Microsoft Store included digital music until the end of the year, as part of its unified distribution point strategy.
2017: Multimedia content gradually shut between 2017 and 2025
Starting in 2017, a range of multimedia content (music, books, movies) were gradually shut down on the Microsoft Store until 2025, leaving only the apps & games storefront remaining.
January 31, 2018: Users could transfer their music to Spotify until January 31, 2018
Users were able to transfer their music to Spotify until January 31, 2018 after discontinuation of Groove Music Pass.
February 2018: Progressive Web Apps to be available in the Microsoft Store in February 2018
In February 2018, Microsoft announced that Progressive Web Apps would become available in the Microsoft Store.
April 2, 2019: Microsoft announced ceasing sale of e-books on April 2, 2019
On April 2, 2019, Microsoft announced that the sale of e-books on the Microsoft Store had ceased.
May 2019: Microsoft abandoned distribution strategy in May 2019
In May 2019, Microsoft abandoned its strategy of exclusively distributing most Microsoft Studios games ported to PC via the Microsoft Store.
July 1, 2019: Updates to apps after July 1, 2019 are no longer available to Windows 8 RTM users
As of July 1, 2019, updates to apps published on the Microsoft Store are no longer available to Windows 8 RTM users.
July 2019: All e-books became inaccessible by July 2019
Due to DRM licenses that would not be renewed, all e-books became inaccessible by July 2019.
October 8, 2020: Microsoft announced a commitment to ten principles of fairness on October 8, 2020
On October 8, 2020, Microsoft announced a commitment to ten "principles" of fairness to developers in the operation of the Microsoft Store.
August 1, 2021: Microsoft's cut of app sales reduced to 12% on August 1, 2021
As of August 1, 2021, Microsoft takes a 12% cut of app sales. Third-party transactions are also allowed, of which Microsoft does not take a cut.
2021: 669,000 apps were available in the store in 2021
In 2021, there were 669,000 apps available in the Microsoft Store. The categories with the most apps were Books and Reference, Education, Entertainment, and Games.
January 10, 2023: Windows 8.1 Update reached the end of its extended support on January 10, 2023
Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, the Windows 8.1 Update reached the end of its extended support on January 10, 2023.
June 30, 2023: Updates to apps after June 30, 2023 are no longer available to Windows 8.1 users
As of June 30, 2023, updates to apps published on the Store are no longer available to Windows 8.1.
July 18, 2025: Microsoft announced the closure of its Movies & TV storefront on July 18, 2025
On July 18, 2025, Microsoft announced the closure of its Movies & TV storefront after 12 years of operations.
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