Microsoft Closes Windows 10 Mobile App
Microsoft is closing Windows 10 Mobile apps, a significant step towards stopping the platform by quietly shutting down the core functionality of the Microsoft Store app store on this platform.
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| (Photo: channelnews.com.au) |
This closure marks the end of an era for Windows 10 Mobile and the classic generation of Windows Phone systems. The Lumia 950 series was the first to feature Windows 10 in 2015.
The store homepage is no longer accessible
Users have reported that the store's home page is no longer accessible, and pages dedicated to app downloads and updates fail to load properly. Also, the app's details page has intermittent issues.
This drop in functionality follows Microsoft's decision in December 2019 to end support for all Windows 10 Mobile devices, a move that parallels the closure of the Windows Phone 8.1 store in the same period.
Also, read: Microsoft Discontinues Free Update of Windows 7 to Windows 10.
Although device support was discontinued, the Microsoft Store app store remained operational for the time being. Microsoft has assured users that although the operating system will not receive further updates, the app store will continue to function and they leave app and software support to the discretion of developers and OEMs.
An important feature of Windows 10 Mobile is its support for sideloading, which allows users to install apps outside of the Microsoft Store. This capability remains an important alternative for users.
Interestingly, some users have reported that the store is back to normal functioning after installing the latest offline package that shows a potential solution to access the store's services.
Microsoft has shifted its main focus away from mobile platforms and is now concentrating on AI and the PC market. Rumors are saying that this company is actively working on the development of Windows 12. Recently, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made an important statement and admitted that discontinuing Windows Phone was a mistake.
Although the PC market is a lucrative area for Microsoft, the mobile device market is still growing, especially with the emergence of new products such as foldable devices.
Many smartphone companies joined the market relatively late but have achieved success through perseverance. Microsoft was a bit late to enter the smartphone market, so he missed this opportunity.