How to choose where to get apps in Windows 11

Why This Matters

Choosing where to get apps in Windows 11 keeps your PC safe and running well. You can also pick the best option for your needs.

What Are Your Options?

Your Windows 11 app installation settings let you decide where new software comes from. You can choose to get apps from the Microsoft Store, directly from websites, or a mix of both. This helps you balance security with how easy it is to find and install the programs you need.

• Anywhere – Users can install both desktop and Store apps without getting any warning messages.
• Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a comparable app in the Microsoft Store – Users can install both desktop and Store apps. The system will suggest Store alternatives when available.
• Anywhere, but warn me before 💿 installing an app that’s not from the Microsoft Store – Users can install both desktop and Store apps. They will get a message when trying to install a desktop app saying “The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app.” Users can then decide if they want to visit the Store for more apps.
• The Microsoft Store only – Users can only install apps from the Store. If users try to install a desktop app, they will get a message saying “The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app.” This setting helps keep your PC safe and reliable. Users can still run desktop apps that were previously installed.

Reference: Change your app recommendation settings in Windows – Microsoft Support

To change whether you see app recommendations when installing apps from outside the Store, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).

Option One

Choose where to get apps in Settings

1. ⚙️ Open Settings by pressing ⊞ Win+I on your keyboard.
2. Click on Apps on the left side. Then click on Advanced app settings or Apps & features > More settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3.  Open Advanced app settings
4. Select one of these options from the Choose where to get apps drop down:

   • Anywhere (default)
   • Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a comparable app in the Microsoft Store
   • Anywhere, but warn me before 💿 installing an app that’s not from the Microsoft Store
   • The Microsoft Store only
5. You can now close Settings if you like.

Changing your Windows 11 app installation settings is done through the Settings app. Press the Windows key and ‘I’ at the same time on your keyboard. Then, click on ‘Apps’ in the left-hand menu and select ‘Advanced app settings’ on the right side to find the option to choose where your apps come from.

Changing your Windows 11 app installation settings is done through the Settings app. Press the Windows key and ‘I’ at the same time on your keyboard. Then, click on ‘Apps’ in the left-hand menu and select ‘Advanced app settings’ on the right side to find the option to choose where your apps come from.

Option Two

Choose where to get apps using Registry

⚠️ Admin Required: This method requires administrator privileges.

Install apps from “Anywhere”

This is the default setting.

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v AicEnabled /t REG_SZ /d Anywhere /f

Install apps from “Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a comparable app in the Microsoft Store”

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v AicEnabled /t REG_SZ /d Recommendations /f

Install apps from “Anywhere, but warn me before installing an app that’s not from the Microsoft Store”

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v AicEnabled /t REG_SZ /d PreferStore /f

Install apps from “The Microsoft Store only”

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v AicEnabled /t REG_SZ /d StoreOnly /f

Summary

Windows 11 lets you control your app installation settings, offering choices from the Microsoft Store only to allowing apps from anywhere with warnings.