The Microsoft Store continues to evolve from its rough beginnings during the Windows 8 era into a genuinely useful and open platform. Its latest update introduces a long-requested feature: the ability to install multiple applications at once.
Microsoft has quietly added a “Multi-App Install” button on the Store’s website, allowing users to select several apps and generate a single executable (.exe) file that installs everything in one go. The feature feels familiar — reminiscent of Ninite, the popular batch installer — but this time, it’s powered directly by the Microsoft Store, with all the built-in security and integration benefits that come with it.
How the New Installation Pack Works
The process is straightforward. By visiting the dedicated App Pack page on the Store’s website (apps.microsoft.com/apppackUsers can browse apps by category, including productivity, entertainment, communication, and more, and select the ones they want.
Once you hit “Install selected,” the site creates a lightweight installer. Running this file opens the Microsoft Store app, which automatically downloads and installs the selected applications. There are no setup wizards, prompts, or extra confirmations — it’s a simple, one-click experience.
Currently, the feature supports only a curated list of popular apps, such as Spotify, Discord, and Telegram. It can only be used from the web version of the Store, not directly within the desktop app. Even so, it’s a handy addition for users setting up new PCs, reinstalling Windows, or configuring test machines.
Microsoft’s Answer to Ninite
Like Ninite, Microsoft’s installer streamlines the process of downloading and installing multiple programs at once. However, it differs in a few key ways. Ninite offers advanced customisation and enterprise deployment options, while Microsoft’s solution leverages the Store’s built-in update system and security framework. The result is a cleaner, safer, and more integrated experience within the Windows ecosystem.
This new feature showcases the significant progress made by the Microsoft Store. Over the past few years, it has expanded support for Win32 applications, introduced centralised updates, and overhauled its interface for faster performance.
By reducing friction in how users discover and install software, Microsoft is clearly positioning the Store as a trusted hub for Windows applications — something that felt far out of reach back in the early Windows 8 days.
Quick Start Guide
- Go to apps.microsoft.com/apppack.
- Select your preferred apps and click “Install selected.”
- Run the downloaded
.exefile — the Microsoft Store will handle the rest.
Current limitations:
- The catalog is limited to the apps listed on the App Pack webpage.
- Creating packs is only available via the web, not through the Store app itself.
Microsoft’s steady improvements show that the Store is no longer an afterthought — it’s finally becoming the centralised, user-friendly software hub Windows users have wanted for years.
