Prevent Installing Apps From Outside Windows Store In Windows 10

Do you want to secure your Windows 10 PC by preventing installation of apps from other than the official Windows Store? Would you like to disable installing software from the web on your Windows 10 PC? It’s now possible to prevent installing apps from outside the Store in Windows 10.

Disable installing classic desktop programs in Windows 10

In Windows 10 Creators Update (build 15031 and above), there is a new option in Settings to help users prevent installing apps outside the Windows 10 Store. According to Microsoft, installing apps only from the official Store helps protect your Windows 10 PC and keep it running smoothly without any errors.

It’s a great feature and will certainly step up the security on your Windows 10 PC. The feature, when enabled, stops junkware and malicious software installation on your PC without your knowledge.

Preventing installation of apps from outside the Store

In Windows 10 Creators Update, if you navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, you can see app installing options. Here, you can choose from the following three options:

# Allow apps from anywhere

# Warn me before installing apps from outside the Store

# Allow apps from the Store only

As one would expect, the first option (Allow apps from anywhere) is selected by default which means you can install any Windows 10 compatible software from the Internet.

If you select Warn me before installing apps from outside the Store option, Windows 10 will display a warning dialog with “The app you are installing is not from the Windows Store” message when you attempt to install a program downloaded from the web. You can click Install anyway button to install the software.

And if you choose Allow apps from the Store only option, Windows 10 will not allow installing software downloaded outside the official Windows Store. When you try to attempt to install software downloaded from the Internet (outside the Store), you will see “You can only install apps from the Windows Store” error.

The page will also direct you to the official Windows 10 Store if an alternative to the program that you are currently trying to install is available in the Store. At times, if there is an equivalent app available in the Store, it might display the link to the app in the Store. For instance, if you try to install WinRAR desktop program, Windows 10 will suggest you 8 Zip Lite or similar apps on the Store.

We recommend you keep Warn me before installing apps from outside the Store option selected to avoid unwanted and malicious software getting installed on your PC.

When you want to install a software downloaded outside the Store, you will see the warning screen mentioned above with Install anyway button. Click the Install anyway button to install the software.