With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has made some significant changes to the way apps are managed and installed on their operating system. While the new Microsoft Store offers a wide range of apps, there may be times when you need to install non-Microsoft apps on your Windows 11 device. In this article, we will discuss how to install non-Microsoft apps on Windows 11 and how to manage app updates.
App Management in Windows 11
Before we dive into the process of installing non-Microsoft apps, it’s important to understand how app management works in Windows 11. Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 11 does not allow you to sideload apps from unknown sources. This means that you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store or from trusted sources that have been approved by Microsoft.
Installing Non-Microsoft Apps
To install non-Microsoft apps on Windows 11, you will need to enable a feature called “Developer Mode.” This feature allows you to install apps from sources other than the Microsoft Store. To enable Developer Mode, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start button and selecting “Settings.”
- Click on “Apps” and then select “Apps & features.”
- Scroll down and click on the “Developer Mode” toggle to turn it on.
Once Developer Mode is enabled, you can now install non-Microsoft apps on your Windows 11 device. To do this, follow these steps:
- Download the app you want to install from a trusted source.
- Double-click on the downloaded file to start the installation process.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Managing App Updates
With the new Microsoft Store, app updates are now managed automatically. This means that when an update is available for an app, it will be downloaded and installed in the background without any action required from the user. However, for non-Microsoft apps, you will need to manually check for updates and install them.
To check for updates for non-Microsoft apps, follow these steps:
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Downloads and updates.”
- Click on “Get updates” to check for updates for all apps, including non-Microsoft apps.
If an update is available for a non-Microsoft app, you will see it listed under “Updates” and you can click on “Update” to install it.
Conclusion
While Windows 11 has made it more difficult to install non-Microsoft apps, it is still possible with the use of Developer Mode. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily install and manage non-Microsoft apps on your Windows 11 device. Just remember to only install apps from trusted sources to ensure the security of your device.
Have you encountered any issues with installing non-Microsoft apps on Windows 11? Let us know in the comments.
