History of Microsoft Store in Timeline
The Microsoft Store is Microsoft's digital distribution platform. Initially created for Windows 8 to distribute Universal Windows Platform apps, it evolved into a unified store with Windows 10 (version 1803). It distributes apps, console games, and digital videos. Previously, it also included digital music until the end of 2017 and e-books until 2019.
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Microsoft's stock (MSFT) is facing credibility concerns regarding Teams and Office. Despite this, Avanza Fonder AB holds a significant position in Microsoft, and Wedge Capital Management maintains a substantial stake, indicating continued investor confidence.
November 2008: Windows Marketplace discontinued and Microsoft Store opens
In November 2008, Microsoft discontinued Windows Marketplace and opened a web-based storefront called "Microsoft Store".
September 13, 2011: Windows Store announced
On September 13, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Store, a digital distribution service for Windows, during the Build developer conference.
February 2012: Windows Store available on Consumer Preview
In February 2012, the Windows Store became available with the release of the "Consumer Preview" of Windows 8.
2012: Microsoft Store not installed by default on Windows Server 2012
In 2012, The Microsoft Store is not installed by default in Windows Server 2012.
January 1, 2015: Microsoft Store cut change
On January 1, 2015, Microsoft removed the previous policy of reducing its cut to 20% after a developer's profits reached $25,000, and started taking a 30% cut of all app purchases.
2015: Apps available on the store
In 2015, over 669,000 apps were available on the Microsoft Store.
January 12, 2016: Windows 8 RTM unsupported
Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, on January 12, 2016, the RTM version of Windows 8 became unsupported.
2016: Microsoft Studios games distributed exclusively via Microsoft Store
From 2016, most Microsoft Studios games ported to PC were distributed exclusively via Microsoft Store.
June 2017: Spotify available in the Windows Store
In June 2017, Spotify became available in the Windows Store.
October 2, 2017: End of digital music sales on Microsoft Store announced
On October 2, 2017, Microsoft announced that the sale of digital music on the Microsoft Store would cease on December 31.
2017: Multimedia content phased out
In 2017, a range of multimedia content (music, books, movies) were gradually being phased out on the Microsoft Store.
2017: Digital music removed
In 2017, digital music was removed from the Microsoft Store.
January 31, 2018: Users allowed to transfer music to Spotify until January 31, 2018
Users were able to transfer their music to Spotify until January 31, 2018.
February 2018: Progressive Web Apps available in Microsoft Store
In February 2018, Microsoft announced that Progressive Web Apps would begin to be available in the Microsoft Store, with Microsoft automatically adding selected apps or allowing developers to submit them.
April 2, 2019: End of e-book sales on Microsoft Store announced
On April 2, 2019, Microsoft announced that the sale of e-books on the Microsoft Store had ceased.
May 2019: Microsoft ends exclusivity for PC games in store
In May 2019, Microsoft abandoned its strategy of distributing most Microsoft Studios games ported to PC exclusively via Microsoft Store, amid criticism of limitations faced by UWP-based games.
July 1, 2019: Updates unavailable for Windows 8 RTM users
On July 1, 2019, updates to apps published on the Microsoft Store became unavailable to Windows 8 RTM users.
October 8, 2020: Microsoft announces fairness principles for developers
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 Store cut change
As of August 1, 2021, Microsoft only takes a 12% cut of app sales in the Microsoft Store. Third-party transactions are also allowed, of which Microsoft does not take a cut.
2021: Apps available in the store
In 2021, there were 669,000 apps available in the Microsoft Store, with "Books and Reference", "Education", "Entertainment", and "Games" as the categories containing the largest number of apps.
January 10, 2023: End of extended support for Windows 8.1 Update
Per Microsoft lifecycle policies, on January 10, 2023, the Windows 8.1 Update reached the end of its extended support.
June 30, 2023: Updates unavailable for Windows 8.1
On June 30, 2023, updates to apps published on the Store became unavailable to Windows 8.1 users.
July 18, 2025: Microsoft to close Movies & TV storefront
On July 18, 2025, Microsoft announced the closure of its Movies & TV storefront after 12 years of operations.
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