Single Install for Multiple Users - Storage Space Problem

Question

I recently purchased a Surface 2 32GB. I love this machine but with two profiles I have run out of space very quickly. I'm wondering if there is a way to share the installed apps between the two user accounts without having to install the apps twice. By having to install the apps separately under each user I am using twice the storage space that I should for one program. It would make much more sense to have a single program folder and then have separate user data for each user. That way the program only has to take up the space of one install but would act as a separate install based on the user data.

Can this be done currently or is there something coming to help elevate this issue?

Answer 1

Hi Patrick,

 

Apps are account specific.

 

You can use your Microsoft account to sign in to the Windows Store and install your apps on different PCs.

Please refer to this link for more information:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/windows-store-install-apps-multiple-pcs

 

You cannot share apps between different accounts.

 

Please let us know in case you need any help on this issue or any issues related to Windows.

As I said in the original question I am aware of how to install the same app under different profiles. I am wondering if there is going to be some sort of fix to how the storage is being wasted by not having a shared program folder that would serve both users if both users have the same app installed. I'm guessing based on the statement "you cannot share apps between different accounts" that the problem is never going to be addressed in this version of Windows.

Answer 2

Hi Patrick,

 

Apps are account specific.

 

You can use your Microsoft account to sign in to the Windows Store and install your apps on different PCs.

Please refer to this link for more information:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/windows-store-install-apps-multiple-pcs

 

You cannot share apps between different accounts.

 

Please let us know in case you need any help on this issue or any issues related to Windows.

The question is about sharing an app on the SAME Windows 8.x PC, not across different PC's.  I have the same question.   When I install "traditioanl" Windows (i.e. pre Win8) on a Win8 PC, it is visible/runnable by multiple users accounts on that ONE PC, and this includes the MS Office 2013 Home version that was bundled with my Acer W3 tablet.

However, after I installed Barnes & Noble Nook for Windows 8 on the tablet, the account I added to the tablet for my wife does not seem to be able to find that app, whereas it can find any traditional apps I installed, such as FBreader, Calibre, VLC, and Chrome.  And Win 8 apps can also be accessed such as Kindle, Tunein Radio, Briannica, etc. so maybe it is just Nook that is misbehaving?

Answer 3

Hi Patrick,

Apps are account specific.

You can use your Microsoft account to sign in to the Windows Store and install your apps on different PCs.

Please refer to this link for more information:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/windows-store-install-apps-multiple-pcs

You cannot share apps between different accounts.

Please let us know in case you need any help on this issue or any issues related to Windows.