14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just rolled out a brand new design for the Windows Store on Windows 8.1 Update devices, be they PCs or tablets that have been updated to this new OS version.
The new design of the store was specifically built using consumer feedback, Microsoft says, so it's now easier to find the apps you want on a PC or tablet.
Starting with this update, the Windows Store displays a persistent navigation bar with Top Charts, Categories, and Collections to provide instant access to some of the most usered apps on Windows 8.1 Update.
“Navigating the Windows Store previously required a finger-swipe or right-click. Now, the navigation bar persists on top of the Store for intuitive, fast access. But that doesn’t mean it’s cluttered. Customer feedback tells us that most people want to quickly see the chart-toppers, search by the top categories they’re interested in, or browse our curated Collections. Because of this, the navigation bar is now focused on to Top charts, Categories, and Collections. You can still quickly access your Account information,” Microsoft says.
At the same time, the Windows Store has been updated to show multiple Featured titles on the main screen, again with the purpose of bringing the most popular apps in the store at one-tap distance.
Microsoft says that this would also help keep an eye on discounts and sales, a strike-through of the original price with the sale value in red will be displayed from now on.
Last but not least, the new Windows Store now better puts universal apps in the spotlight, so you can get the same app and then access it on any other Windows 8.1 Update device, be it a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC.
“Microsoft Studios, for example, is now publishing Halo: Spartan Assault in this way, meaning whether you buy from the Windows Store or Windows Phone Store first, you can get the app for your other compatible Windows devices without having to pay again,” the company said.
The new Windows Store design is being implemented into your copy of Windows 8.1 Update via Windows Update, so make sure that you install the released patches before launching the store. Obviously, the company also says that everything should now be faster and smoother no matter if you're using Windows 8.1 Update on a PC or a tablet, which pretty much makes the new Windows Store update a must-have for basically everyone out there.