Getting apps for your PC

A world of apps in the Windows Store

Apps make using your PC easier by opening up new ways for you to get things done and have some fun. Windows 8.1 andWindows RT 8.1 come with built-in apps that help you socialize, stay in touch, share and view documents, organize photos, listen to music, and watch movies, but you can find even more apps in the Windows Store.

Note: You need to have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 to see and install apps from the Windows Store. If you don’t haveWindows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, you can check out some of the popular apps available in the Store.

Installing apps

To start looking for apps to install on your PC, tap or click Store on the Start screen to open the Windows Store. You need to be connected to the Internet to open the Store and you’ll need to sign in using a Microsoft account.

Once you're in the Windows Store, there are a few different ways to look for apps:

Browse featured apps and lists. If you're not sure what kind of app you want, a good place to start is the featured apps in the Store. Start scrolling to the right to view lists of popular apps, new releases, top paid or free apps. (To see all the apps in a specific list, tap or click the name of the list.) You'll also see personalized app recommendations in Picks for you, based on apps you own and apps you've rated.

Explore categories. If you’re looking for a certain type of app (like an entertainment app or a game), you can explore the different categories in the Store. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen (or if you’re using a mouse, right-click) to see the categories in the Store, and then tap or click the category you want.

Search for an app. If you know the name of the app you want or are looking for apps by a specific publisher, enter the name into the search box in the upper-right corner of the Store. You'll see results for apps that match your search.

When you find an app you want, tap or click Buy or Try (free trial) if it’s a paid app, or Install if it’s free.

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