What will happen to my GO in S mode when the Store dies?

[darrell reimer]

I've been hearing rumors that the Store is on its way out. What will happen to my GO if I try and keep it in 'S' mode? Or is 'S' mode also on its death-bed?

 

[Ryujingt3]

I've been hearing rumors that the Store is on its way out. What will happen to my GO if I try and keep it in 'S' mode? Or is 'S' mode also on its death-bed?

I don't think the MS Store will die, MS wouldn't be that stupid (they've come close!). Do you have a link to this information please?

 

[darrell reimer]

I don't think the MS Store will die, MS wouldn't be that stupid (they've come close!). Do you have a link to this information please?

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/205959/is-the-microsoft-store-on-the-way-out

 

[Ryujingt3]

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/205959/is-the-microsoft-store-on-the-way-out

Thanks for the link. If it's true, I wonder what type of Store app MS will use instead? It will affect every Windows 10 PC, not just yours. The implications could be quite massive.

 

[xandros9]

if the Store goes the way of the do-do, you'll be stuck with what you have installed and that's it. You'll have to turn off S mode to install new applications most likely.

 

[ochhanz]

I've been hearing rumors that the Store is on its way out. What will happen to my GO if I try and keep it in 'S' mode? Or is 'S' mode also on its death-bed?

, MS closing the consumer version of the Store would not make much sense (especially since WOA still seems to be alive, Windows 10X is coming and 10X will support UWP as native apps, the latter is important since the Store makes the most sense for modern apps which means UWP on Windows). There are also still apps like Netflix etc which are very popular.

Another final thing that crossed my mind is that MS not so long ago updated the Store visually iirc, they wouldn't do that if they would kill it.

The enterprise / business version of the Store will go away though, but that makes more sense since businesses would probably prefer sideloading or exes and not being tied to a single Store (my guess would be that since UWP now also supports automatic updates with sideloading MS will further expand UWP so modern apps can be more easily used outside the store).

 

[Ryujingt3]

, MS closing the consumer version of the Store would not make much sense (especially since WOA still seems to be alive, Windows 10X is coming and 10X will support UWP as native apps, the latter is important since the Store makes the most sense for modern apps which means UWP on Windows). There are also still apps like Netflix etc which are very popular.

Another final thing that crossed my mind is that MS not so long ago updated the Store visually iirc, they wouldn't do that if they would kill it.

The enterprise / business version of the Store will go away though, but that makes more sense since businesses would probably prefer sideloading or exes and not being tied to a single Store (my guess would be that since UWP now also supports automatic updates with sideloading MS will further expand UWP so modern apps can be more easily used outside the store).

I also think that MS closing the Store for Windows 10 won't make a lot of sense. Sure, there may not be many UWP apps out there, but what is there, for some at least, they are pretty good. Plus, I'm not sure what MS would even replace the Store with, if they decided to do so.

 

[Elky64]

I also think that MS closing the Store for Windows 10 won't make a lot of sense. Sure, there may not be many UWP apps out there, but what is there, for some at least, they are pretty good. Plus, I'm not sure what MS would even replace the Store with, if they decided to do so.

The indecisive operator Microsoft is it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they did. IMO they are poor at implementing something that can be built upon for years hence the "change-of-direction".

 

[ochhanz]

The indecisive operator Microsoft is it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they did. IMO they are poor at implementing something that can be built upon for years hence the "change-of-direction".

, even for MS it wouldn't make sense. Lets face it (coming from a WP user) stuff like WP and RT etc was dwindling in users. So while it was shortsighted to completely kill them off, it did make sense for a company to do that from a profit or focus perspective (/designing phones is expensive and RT was probably more duplicated code compared to WOA).

The Store however is still used by many people (even if it is only that Netflix/Facebook app, some games, Windows apps, Office and a few other sketch apps etc) and more stuff is getting separated from Windows and put into the Store (Wordpad etc.).
Office especially is one of MS's biggest revenue streams, anything that can support Office (/easy access through the Store) will probably be kept alive.

 

[Elky64]

, even for MS it wouldn't make sense. Lets face it (coming from a WP user) stuff like WP and RT etc was dwindling in users. So while it was shortsighted to completely kill them off, it did make sense for a company to do that from a profit or focus perspective (/designing phones is expensive and RT was probably more duplicated code compared to WOA).

The Store however is still used by many people (even if it is only that Netflix/Facebook app, some games, Windows apps, Office and a few other sketch apps etc) and more stuff is getting separated from Windows and put into the Store (Wordpad etc.).
Office especially is one of MS's biggest revenue streams, anything that can support Office (/easy access through the Store) will probably be kept alive.

From my perspective I get the impression MS has trouble forecasting the future. Basically they implement based on the short-term rather than long-term. So although the store may be used by many what makes sense to us doesn't necessarily make sense to Microsoft.

 

[Ryujingt3]

From my perspective I get the impression MS has trouble forecasting the future. Basically they implement based on the short-term rather than long-term. So although the store may be used by many what makes sense to us doesn't necessarily make sense to Microsoft.

That's very true. MS sometimes bet on the wrong things.

 

[Elky64]

That's very true. MS sometimes bet on the wrong things.

Especially on the consumer level... Personally have kept my usage of "anything" MS to a bare minimum for quite some time now not anticipating that to change any time soon.

 

[Ryujingt3]

Especially on the consumer level... Personally have kept my usage of "anything" MS to a bare minimum for quite some time now not anticipating that to change any time soon.

I actually still support MS. It could be worse after all.

 

[Elky64]

I actually still support MS. It could be worse after all.

That's the thing, Windows 10 for PC had gotten worse which was one of my main tipping points. Used every Windows OS there was (started toying w/computers in 1987), and Windows 10, for me, has been the worst especially when it comes to updates... I still cringe applying updates not knowing if we're going to come through unscathed or not. Yep still use the said OS because my preferred programs only run on a PC.

I use other platforms too, Android, iOS, MAC, Linux. Over the past five years I literally have a tough time remembering one instance an update went awry on them yet w/W10, still occurring today. Yes things have gotten better that is for sure yet not to the point I can feel assured.

The only two programs of Microsoft's I now rely on, and that haven't been a pain, are Word and Excel. Like Outlook (for my work) but it too rises my blood pressure all too often, OneDrive nope, Edge nope, OneNote sparingly, anything else MS is pretty much forgotten. And any feature within Windows itself gets a pass only relying on the essential to get it done.

 

[ochhanz]

That's the thing, Windows 10 for PC had gotten worse which was one of my main tipping points. Used every Windows OS there was (started toying w/computers in 1987), and Windows 10, for me, has been the worst especially when it comes to updates... I still cringe applying updates not knowing if we're going to come through unscathed or not. Yep still use the said OS because my preferred programs only run on a PC.

, are you sure your not using some program that breaks Windows? We never had any big issues with W10, and when I read about people having them they either have: very old or broken hardware, a Surface / Windows Insider, use crap cleaner or a crappy virus scanner or such that breaks Windows or some exotic hardware/software combo. The exception was that notorious big update from last year. Just to be safe; on your work pc/laptop I would delay installing of big updates a month.

I use other platforms too, Android, iOS, MAC, Linux. Over the past five years I literally have a tough time remembering one instance an update went awry on them yet w/W10, still occurring today. Yes things have gotten better that is for sure yet not to the point I can feel assured.

, iOS and MacOS cannot be compared to W10 with update support since the range of devices Windows has to support is way larger. iOS is also quite limited in what the user can change. Android has a very short support for big updates (~10 year for Windows, vs ~1 year for Android) and hardware is all quite similar in contrary to Windows devices. Big updates can also contain features that provide extra security or privacy (like sandboxing or 'fixes' for by-passable permissions) so having only security/small updates is not always enough in that regard. Linux I don't know, I heard it also has bugs on laptops etc.

The only two programs of Microsoft's I now rely on, and that haven't been a pain, are Word and Excel. Like Outlook (for my work) but it too rises my blood pressure all too often, OneDrive nope, Edge nope, OneNote sparingly, anything else MS is pretty much forgotten. And any feature within Windows itself gets a pass only relying on the essential to get it done.

, Outlook seems to be buggy here too (Mail and web Outlook seem to be better), Onedrive and Edge work good here.

 

[ochhanz]

I actually still support MS. It could be worse after all.

, plus Windows 10 is much more secure than Windows 7 etc were with all those updates. MalwareBytes even found more malware relatively on MacOs devices than on Windows devices when doing a first scan on a device. Defender / Essentials has improved a lot over the years. And my Pro 1 still gets all the updates so can't complain.

 

[Elky64]

, are you sure your not using some program that breaks Windows? We never had any big issues with W10, and when I read about people having them they either have: very old or broken hardware, a Surface / Windows Insider, use crap cleaner or a crappy virus scanner or such that breaks Windows or some exotic hardware/software combo. The exception was that notorious big update from last year. Just to be safe; on your work pc/laptop I would delay installing of big updates a month.

, iOS and MacOS cannot be compared to W10 with update support since the range of devices Windows has to support is way larger. iOS is also quite limited in what the user can change. Android has a very short support for big updates (~10 year for Windows, vs ~1 year for Android) and hardware is all quite similar in contrary to Windows devices. Big updates can also contain features that provide extra security or privacy (like sandboxing or 'fixes' for by-passable permissions) so having only security/small updates is not always enough in that regard. Linux I don't know, I heard it also has bugs on laptops etc.

, Outlook seems to be buggy here too (Mail and web Outlook seem to be better), Onedrive and Edge work good here.

My experiences are based off using Windows 10 from the alpha/beta days and having dealt with multiple desktops/laptops at home, work, and friends/family. So it's not one machine or one Windows install I am talking about here.

Used to tinker some back-in-the-day but ever since Windows 10 arrived it has been left "box stock", in other words used exactly how Microsoft designed it to be. As for rouge programs and such nope never, only installing the basics and always from those reputable. Windows own built-in antivirus/security is it, relying on it for years now having no complaints in doing so. Anyone going through my personal gear would find they're some of the most up-to-date, best maintained, cleanest out there and we are not talking appearance here.

Yes I agree older hardware definitely can play into the game. One reason I decided to upgrade in hopes hardware would be less of a factor. Well so far that hasn't proved so as already had to deal w/Windows Update issues on a few 2019 machines. And a week or so ago one of our work PCs had the KB4532693 update install deciding it knew best which files needed deleting! How is this even still happening?

Bottom line for me is... Windows is still too dumb at figuring out "if" an update should be installed and even dumber when it comes resolving a failed update issue... Dealt with too many of the latter over the course finding one persons resolve is rarely mine even when the symptoms mirror each other. Back-in-the-day our troubles usually arose during a fresh install of Windows but after getting over those humps, it was mostly smooth sailing from thereon in. Now I'm finding every Windows 10 Update could be a game changer and not always for the better.

Comparing other platforms, for me, shows other's have instilled much more stability, consistency into their OS. Never got that sense from Windows 10 even though the last few months feels like smoother sailing, time will tell.

 

[ochhanz]

Comparing other platforms, for me, shows other's have instilled much more stability, consistency into their OS. Never got that sense from Windows 10 even though the last few months feels like smoother sailing, time will tell.

, the thing is if Apple would also let other oems design laptops/tablets/phones and Android would offer longer updates they would eventually face similar issues. So each OS got their own pros and cos in that regard. What I do think was kind of weak of MS was that Surface devices had so many issues (or at least teething problems), considering MS itself is required for the drivers than which are quite often the cause for problems. And that only later on big updates could be delayed for Home.

 

[Elky64]

, the thing is if Apple would also let other oems design laptops/tablets/phones and Android would offer longer updates they would eventually face similar issues. So each OS got their own pros and cos in that regard. What I do think was kind of weak of MS was that Surface devices had so many issues (or at least teething problems), considering MS itself is required for the drivers than which are quite often the cause for problems. And that only later on big updates could be delayed for Home.

Oh I get it yet Microsoft's approach is a NEW version of Windows w/every feature update even though it still holds the designation of 10, and paced at twice a year. Then there's the cumulative or quality updates issued every second Tuesday of the month. For me these combinations have been either lethal or huge time wasters not all that long ago. But like already stated, we have been noticing improvements in that problems during or after an update aren't arising quite as often so hoping that continues to improve.

 

[ochhanz]

Oh I get it yet Microsoft's approach is a NEW version of Windows w/every feature update even though it still holds the designation of 10, and paced at twice a year. Then there's the cumulative or quality updates issued every second Tuesday of the month. For me these combinations have been either lethal or huge time wasters not all that long ago. But like already stated, we have been noticing improvements in that problems during or after an update aren't arising quite as often so hoping that continues to improve.

, that's a fair point, the recent big updates were slight disappointment imo (I mean not as good as e.g. Anniversary Update), still some things like cloud clipboard and swiftkey keyboard can be important for some people. I have a feeling MS did lots of things below the hood though (hopefully).