Windows 11 new restore apps feature

There are many reasons why you might want to recover apps that were removed when you performed a clean install of Windows or moved to a new device. At the same time, you might want to recover apps that you accidentally deleted.

At the moment, if you want to access your deleted apps or apps missing on your new device, you can use the Microsoft Store’s Library corner, which keeps a record of the apps or games you’ve downloaded.

While the ‘Library’ section in the Microsoft Store lets you browse your previous downloads, recovering apps with one click is simply not possible. If you usually find yourself in a bind trying to install apps previously available on your old device, we have some good news for you.

Microsoft is working on a feature called ‘Restore Apps’ which lets you restore deleted apps with just one click and it’s much simpler than recovering apps by visiting the library of the Microsoft Store.

Windows 11 Restore Apps feature

As you can see in the above screenshot, Microsoft is testing two new options – Restore all and select apps. While the ‘Restore all’ will automatically restore all missing apps, ‘select apps’ lets you find a list of all of the apps linked to your Microsoft account on your previous device and perform a quick install of the apps you select.

“[It] customers automatically restore their apps, previously installed from the Microsoft Store, to their new Windows device. This will also help developers retain their customers without having to remind customers to re-download their app,” Microsoft officials noted in a statement.

Other improvements coming to the Microsoft Store

During the Build 2022 conference, Microsoft reiterates that the PC market saw the biggest growth in a decade. As a result, Microsoft has started focusing on Windows again and is actively testing new features for the decades-old desktop OS.

Windows 11 Search Store integration

Windows Search is getting a new feature that will remind users when they search for an app on the app and it’s already listed in the Microsoft Store.

For example, if you don’t have Spotify installed and you type its name in the search box, a new section will encourage you to view results from Microsoft Store, and easily install Spotify or other apps from there.

Microsoft is also automating store submissions for Win32 apps. This will allow developers to automate app submissions using new GitHub Action or Rest APIs, and bring their apps to the Microsoft Store without watching the waitlist.

The company also plans to bring its Store-powered Amazon’s Android App Store to more markets in 2022, which means more users will be able to download and run Android apps on Windows 11.

About The Author

Mayank Parmar

Mayank Parmar is an entrepreneur who founded Windows Latest. He is the Editor-in-Chief and has written on various topics in his seven years of career, but he is mostly known for his well-researched work on Microsoft's Windows. His articles and research works have been referred to by CNN, Business Insiders, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Interactive, Microsoft and many others over the years.