Why is the Microsoft Store so AWFUL?

[joshwa]

Hi all,

I've ended up buying various games on the Microsoft Store over the years, first I had to reset the cache so it would recognise that I've previously bought them. Then I had to go into the library and un-hide games that aren't installed.

Now that I can see them, I'm trying to download/install them again, and it either fails or I just get a spinning circle. How can Microsoft's main app store be SO AWFUL!?

[Jonj1611]

Yeah it sucks really badly. I bought Forza Horizon 5 and the amount of times it says I do not have it then after messing around with it suddenly finds it is untrue.

[[GSV]Trig]

Agreed, given how long its been around now there really isn't any excuse for this much suck...

[Output]

Pure speculation on my part (especially as I've never bought games on the Microsoft Store), but I'd imagine there's no real incentive for them to improve it, given most people will install things outside of it due to not being locked (and thus limited) into it.

Although with that said, for the games I'd also imagine they focus on that all being done inside the Xbox App/Console ecosystem/UI (which may be separated in some way) rather than the Microsoft Store itself specifically, especially as they know Steam is the most popular storefront on PC for games anyway and they also publish them on there.

[jimbouk]

Only got Minecraft from there (haven't touched in years, though I'm sure my boy will get into it at some point). Had a stint as the game of choice and got it via a gift card, the process wasn't straightforward to redeem from memory.

I had one of the EU without media player editions of Windows and it failed to start. To their credit I did end up on the phone with Microsoft support who talked me through a full reinstall of the OS (was a fresh PC anyway) but it took my own research to get to the bottom of the actual error message and install an XBox component which I never actually run. So yeah, need to work on their runtime dependencies...

[joshwa]

Even the feedback / error reporting system doesn't work. It says I've left feedback, but I can't view it. Maybe I need to try installing / running the games from the Xbox app? (Except the Xbox app doesn't work!!)

Basically at this point, I'm going to need to re-buy all the games (Forza 4 and 5 Horizon and all the add-ons) on Steam if I want to play them. How do Microsoft get away with this?

[AGTDenton]

I've tended to just search for the game I own and download it from there. Of course if you have a big library that's of no value. I only own two, Minecraft & Sea of Thieves. I'd rather pay more than to use anything Microsoft or just not own it at all. The inbuilt windows xbox app is awful as well.

[Output]

On a somewhat relevant note, Forza Horizon 4 is apparently being delisted in December.

It's currently being offered on an 80% discount on Steam for the next ~45 hours (ends at 6pm on Thursday).
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1...rza_Horizon_4/

(Credit to Gratuitous_Spender on HUKD for pointing it out.)

[jimbouk]

So following on from my new printer thread, the HP 'Smart' app comes through the Windows/Microsoft store. Couldn't see it on the normal add/remove programs so fired up the store and found it. Then... um, yeah no way to uninstall I could see! Three dots menu didn't have an option, right click didn't work. Had to right click on the start menu item and uninstall! Painful user experience!

[Saracen999]

Now I feel like I'm missing out.

As a Chartered Member of the Obstinate and Determined Git's Club (CODG) i have refused to have a MS account, mainly because MS try so hard to push us all into having one. Therefore, like most donkeys, mountain goats and all proper CODGers, I refuse to, because they push. I have plonked my metaphoric butt down. planted my metaphoric hooves firmly on the path to MS-Accountville and adopted an "nuh-uh, no way, no-how" stance.

Now I feel like I'm missing out on how cra.... erm, rubbish, the experience of the store is.

Maybe I ought to get an account?

And if you believe that's gonna happen, oh boy, do I ever have a deal for you on this 'ere utterly genuine (honest ) Rolex. Better PM me though, 'cos the price will have the world beating a path to my door.