Windows 10 Mobile app store has shut down, as per user reports

The Windows 10 Mobile app store, once a vibrant part of Microsoft‘s mobile ecosystem, appears to have reached its final chapter based on recent user reports and community discussions.

The journey of the Windows 10 Mobile app store has been marked by several shutdown announcements and subsequent clarifications. In 2019, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Phone 8.1, closing its app store. However, Windows 10 Mobile was supposed to remain operational alongside its app store. Since then, the store lingered, serving a dwindling user base.

In November 2023, reports emerged suggesting another shutdown, with Gizmochina noting user reports of inaccessible homepages and app detail pages. However, this turned out to be a glitch, and users could still access and download apps, indicating the store’s resilience.

But as of this writing, the situation has shifted. User reports, particularly from Reddit, suggest the store is no longer functional for many. Several posts have emerged in r/windowsphone subreddit discussing the shutdown, with comments indicating users cannot download apps, seeing errors like blank screens or the message “A read or write of raw encrypted data cannot be performed because the file is no longer available.” This aligns with community sentiments of the store being officially shut down, suggesting a recent and possibly final closure.

The evidence leans toward a gradual shutdown, with some users reporting the store still functions possibly due to cached data or regional differences. This gradual rollout is not uncommon for such services, and it explains the mixed experiences among users.

The Windows Phone community, though small, is vocal and proactive. User discussions reveal a mix of nostalgia and practical responses. For instance, one user noted, “I think now is a good time to start archiving the APPXs through the library page,” linking to a resource for archived Windows 10 Mobile apps. Another mentioned, “Most people installed stuff by side loading them anyways,” indicating a shift to third-party solutions, often found on platforms like GitHub.

There’s a palpable sense of loss, with users reminiscing about the OS’s unique style and functionality. One user expressed, “Man, I was somehow hoping that Win Mobile makes a comeback, and now I see this, just loved the style of the OS, and I was never able to use it.” Others acknowledged the inevitability, noting, “It’s sad, but I guess we knew it was going to happen eventually. Microsoft wasn’t going to keep spending the money and resources to keep the store running when hardly anyone was making apps for it.”

The shutdown of the Windows 10 Mobile app store marks the end of an era for a platform that once promised to challenge Android and iOS but struggled with app ecosystem limitations. The lack of official confirmation from Microsoft adds a layer of uncertainty, but the widespread user reports suggest this is the final nail in the coffin. For now, you might want to archive any necessary apps and consider sideloading for continued functionality, as the store’s closure means no new downloads are possible.

The community’s efforts to keep Windows Phone alive through archiving and sideloading are noteworthy, reflecting a dedication to a platform that, while obsolete, still holds value for its users.