I felt so uneasy when people ask me - how to install windows 8 apps without windows store?
Because that time i was using Windows 7 on my computer but after using Windows 8 operating system, i realised - why they were asking me about how to install windows 8 apps without windows store.
As we all know, Windows 8 allows us to install apps only from the Windows Store. But if you wish to download any third party apps (the apps which is not available on windows store but you want to use on your Windows 8 system) that haven’t processed with the Microsoft security checks, you will have to enable an entry in the Local Group Policy for your computer in order to get it.
Once you have enabled the entry in the Local Group Policy, you’ll be freely able to install windows 8 apps without the windows store.
Recommended articles:
- How to Install Windows 8 Apps from Windows Store
- How to Uninstall Preloaded Apps From Windows 8 and 8.1
Few important things you need to know
Before following below mentioned steps to install apps without windows store in Windows 8, it’s very important for you to know why Microsoft has made this so difficult to do and why not allows us to install apps without windows store.
Whenever you download a third party app, you are not 100% sure that what you’re getting and the app you are downloading will fit from the OS and security of Windows.
While installing any Windows 8 app from the Windows Store, you know very well that Microsoft has evaluated the app and ensured that it’s as trustworthy as it should be. It will easily and completely fit from the OS and security of Windows also.
Same thing applies with all other online app distribution services such as Chrome Web Store, the Apple Store etc. So the lovely readers please proceed with caution whenever you go for it.
Note: Below given steps will work for only Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
Install Windows 8 Apps without Windows Store
Step (1): At first, search for 'Run' on the Windows Start screen and click on it.
Step (2): In the Run command prompt, just type in 'gpedit.msc' and then click on 'OK.'
Step (3): Now from the main screen of the Local Group Policy Editor, go for the following entry:
Computer Configuration ---> Administrative Templates ---> Windows Component ---> App Package Deployment
Step (4): After that, make a Right-click on “Allow all trusted apps to install” option.
Step (5): On the next page, select Enabled option to enable the entry for all other apps (third party apps/non-Windows Store apps) to install in your Windows 8 system. Now click on “Apply” button and then “OK".
To install any third party apps, still two criteria must be following:
- The app must be cryptographically sign by the developer
- Your PC must be able to accept the certificate
Step (6): If the app are matching with these two criteria, then now you can use Windows PowerShell to run the following command:
add-appxpackage C:\app1.appx –DependencyPath C:\winjs.appx
Here, 'app1.appx' is the app you wish to install. You can change this if required.
'winjs.appx' is the dependency for the app. You can also change this if needed, the dependency will be always included with the app.
Congratulations! Now you can freely install windows 8 apps without windows store.
See also:
Please....Please.....Please.....always keep a Windows 8 system recovery image or backup, it will help you if you found any issue. And always remember; install apps only from trusted sources.
Feel free to write/ask me via comments if you face any problem in order to installing Windows 8 apps without Windows Store. Check out our popular section of Windows: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 9
