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Download the first Progressive Web Apps from the Microsoft Store
3 min. read
Updated onFebruary 19, 2024
updated onFebruary 19, 2024
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Progressive Web Apps are revolutionizing apps for Windows and other platforms. They are a new kind of app based on the latest web technologies. PWAs are websites and web apps that you can open in separate taskbar windows outside browsers much the same as nativeUniversal Windows Platform(UWP) apps. With theRedstone 4 updaterolling out, the first Microsoft PWAs have gone live in the MS Store.
Microsoft had already stated that it intended to release the first PWAs in the MS Store to coincide with theRedstone 4 update(otherwise Spring Creators Update). Thus, it is not a big surprise that 14 new Progressive Web Apps are out now. These are the first PWAs in the MS Store:
Microsoft intends to bring PWAs to more than 500 million Windows 10 devices, and the Bing crawler will automatically index them on the MS Store. To ensure that Windows 10 fully supports Progressive Web Apps, Redstone 4 updates Edge’s rendering engine with EdgeHTML 17.
This will give the platform all the latest web technologies, such as Push notifications, required for PWAs. After the update, the PWAs can fully utilize the WinRT API suite just the same as UWP apps.
However, you do not need to wait for theSpring Creators Updateto run the new PWAs. The Progressive Web Apps run on Windows 10 version 10240.0 or later.
You can utilize the PWAs on PC, hub, Hololens and mobile devices. Below is a snapshot of theOyster PWAopen in Windows 10, which opens the Oyster site in its own separate app window.
Despite the numerous advantages of PWAs, Microsoft insists they are not replacing UWPs. A post on Microsoft’s Windows Blogs states, “For developers who are building a fully-tailored UWP experience, building from the ground up with native technologies may make the most sense.”
Yet, most software publishers would probably prefer to develop PWAs that can run on all platforms instead of UWP apps restricted to Windows 10 devices.
Progressive Web Apps will greatly expand the number of apps on the MS Store, which would address its shortfall of apps.
We also have a great guide on how todownload apps and install from Office 365, so don’t miss it.
With the likes of Google fully committed to Progressive Web Apps, it might not be that long before the first PWAs for Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive arrive on the MS Store.
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
