The State of the Windows Store

Windows 8 became available to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and volume licensing customers Aug. 16, 2012, and paid applications became available in the Windows Store. A strong Windows Store inventory could be an indicator of the health of the WinRT platform used on Windows 8 and Windows RT. (Only WinRT-based applications can be installed on Windows RT.) Marketplace growth could help enterprises and ISVs decide when to focus resources on development for the new platform. While the number of available applications is low, it will grow, especially after Windows 8 and Windows RT become generally available on Oct. 26, 2012.

Counting on Applications

Directions on Microsoft has been using an unofficial mechanism to track the number of applications available in the Windows Store. On Aug. 16, 2012, approximately 530 applications were available. The number passed 1,000 on Sept. 5, 2012, when 1,001 applications were available in the store.

Not all applications are available in the languages of all 90 locales supported by the Windows Store and not every application is available for all three architectures supported by the Store: Windows 8 for Intel/AMD x86, Windows 8 for Intel/AMD x64, and Windows RT for ARM-based processors. Finally, while the Windows Store does provide entries for desktop applications that can be purchased outside of the Store and installed on Windows 8, they are not included in this count, because they will not run on Windows RT and don’t represent the growth of the WinRT platform.