Microsoft Store Offers Multi-App Install Bundles to Speed Up Windows Setup
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Microsoft has updated the Microsoft Store with multi-app install bundles, streamlining the Windows 11 PC setup process, and making it easier to access a range of complementary apps.
Working in a similar fashion to the popular third-party Ninite tool , the multi-app selection process allows you to create a custom bundle and run all downloads and installations simultaneously, Windows Central reports .
I'm not sure if I've ever encountered anyone who likes the Microsoft Store. As someone long-accustomed to downloading standalone programs from various online sources and installing them manually, the app-store-style approach always seemed unnecessary. But multi-app bundles that you can customize to speed up setup and installation give it additional utility, which could make it far more useful to everyone moving forward.
Once you start the install process, it's largely hands-off.
On the Microsoft Store , look for the small "Multi-app install" button on the top-right. This takes you to an app selection page where you can toggle any apps from a list of pre-determined options into your own custom download installer.
Options include "Productivity" apps like Adobe's Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Teams , OneNote, ChatGPT , iCloud, and Dropbox. There are also "Creativity" apps like CapCut, Canva, and Photoshop, as well as "Social" apps like Telegram , Facebook, and Instagram, and others for Entertainment, Tools, and Personalization.
There are some genuinely strong standouts in there that average Windows users may not typically encounter. The f.lux app is excellent for reducing eye strain and controlling blue-light exposure , while BreeZip is a fantastic extractor tool for Rar, Zip, and 7z archives.
However, the best part of all this is that it streamlines the installation process. You don't need to confirm anything. Just create the bundle, click "Install Selected," and it will download and install everything for you.
The only downside is that the app lists aren't exhaustive. There's a great range of options, but Microsoft clearly needs to vet and customize the app install process for each one, so it may be some time before we see a more ubiquitous range of apps to select from. For now, though, the process is definitely a big improvement and makes Windows that bit more familiar for those who are more comfortable with smartphone-style operating systems.
Considering Microsoft is still hoping to persuade everyone to switch to Windows 11 at some point, this is just one more incentive it can offer for those still holding out.
