Windows Store App Deployment FAQ
Applies To: Windows 8.1
When you deploy Windows Store apps in your educational organization you have many options for deployment, mobile device management, Group Policy, and more.
The following sections include answers to frequently asked questions about Windows Store app deployment.
How can I deploy desktop applications on devices running Windows 8.1?
The deployment process for desktop applications on devices running Windows 8.1 is the same as it was for the Windows 8 and Windows 7 operating system. As a result, you can use the same methods for deploying desktop applications available for Windows 8 and Windows 7, such as System Center Configuration Manager, MDT, Group Policy, or local installation media (including USB flash drives).
There are no limitations to the number of desktop applications you can provision to a device (unlike Windows Store apps, which can only have up to 24 provisioned apps installed in an image). Also, desktop applications do not typically require a Microsoft account for installation.
How can I deploy web apps on devices running Windows 8.1?
Windows 8.1 includes a Windows Store app and desktop version of Internet Explorer 11. When you manually pin a web app to the start screen, it creates a tile that reflects the web app. For example, if you pin a Bing web app to the start screen, the tile displays the Bing logo. Some deployment methods, such as MDT, will only create a generic Internet Explorer icon when a web app is pinned to the start screen.
How can Windows Store apps be removed from a device?
You can remove Windows Store apps interactively on the Start screen, or you can use:
DISM to remove provisioned apps from a device
The Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage Windows PowerShell cmdlet to remove provisioned apps from a device
The Remove-AppxPackage Windows PowerShell cmdlet to remove installed apps from a device
For example, you could use the Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage cmdlet to remove the standard OneDrive app so that users will use the OneDrive Pro desktop app (installed with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013), instead.
How can I remove a device from the list of devices that are allowed to install purchased apps from the Windows Store?
Windows Store keeps track of the devices where you have installed purchased apps. You are allowed to install a purchased app on as many as 81 devices. You can remove a device from the list of devices by starting the Windows Store app, click Settings, click Your account, and then remove the device from the list.
How can I use Group Policy settings to manage Windows Store apps?
IT administrators can use Group Policy to manage Windows Store apps and access to the Windows Store, including:
Allowing or prohibiting their users from accessing the Windows Store
Allows apps to be sideloaded
Window Store privacy settings
Controlling access to which Windows Store apps can be installed and run by using App Locker
Note
AppLocker is available only for managing domain-joined devices running Windows 8.1 Enterprise.
Configuring the Windows Store to auto-download (but not install) available updates
Using Group Policy settings to control and manage the installation of apps
How can Windows Store apps be managed in the classroom?
You can manage Windows Store apps in the classroom by using any of the following methods:
Any of the methods listed in the question, “How can I use Group Policy settings to manage Windows Store apps?”
Preventing apps from being installed or run by using AppLocker (for domain-joined devices only)
Which mobile device management solutions work with Windows Store apps?
You can manage Windows 8.1 by using:
Solutions that support the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync platform. You use Exchange ActiveSync policies to configure mobile devices that use Exchange ActiveSync to connect. Administrators can create mobile device mailbox policies to apply a common set of policies or security settings to a collection of users (not to be confused with Group Policy).
Windows Intune. You can manage Windows Store apps on manage domain-joined and non–domain-joined devices by using Windows Intune. Windows Intune allows you to deploy Window Store apps by using deep links or by sideloading app packages.
What happens to Windows Store apps if a user performs a device reset or a device recovery?
When a user performs a:
Windows 8 device refresh, Windows 8.1 is reinstalled, but the personal files, settings, and any Windows Store apps are retained
Windows 8 device reset, Windows 8.1 is reinstalled, but the personal files, settings, and any Windows Store apps are deleted
The behavior described above is the same for apps that are installed from the Windows Store or that are sideloaded. After a Windows 8.1 device reset, you must install Windows Store apps as though you were installing the apps on a different device by using My Apps in Windows Store.
For institution-owned devices, users will not be administrators, so they will be unable to reset devices. IT pros or faculty will need to reset devices as required. For personally owned devices, the user will be an administrator and will be able to reset their own device.
Additional resources
The following resource will help in deploying apps during operating system deployment: