Microsoft wasn’t simply indulging in wishful considering when it stated it wished extra third-party app shops in Windows 11’s portal. The Verge notes that new Microsoft Store policies now enable third-party storefront apps. And no, Amazon’s Appstore is not the one companion hopping aboard — the Epic Games Store can also be coming to the Microsoft Store within the “next few months.” As promised, Microsoft will not demand a share of income from these outlets.

The firm’s loosened insurance policies on rival browsers (which now enable browsers with non-Microsoft engines) are additionally paying dividends. Opera and Yandex Browser are coming to the Microsoft Store to supply a substitute for Edge. These additions will not assist a lot in case your first impulse is to obtain Chrome or Firefox, however they recommend Microsoft is open to no less than some competitors in its personal retailer.

There’s no point out of Steam, GOG or different well-known app and recreation shops. It’s additionally unsurprising that Epic is an early adopter. It’s a vocal opponent of Apple’s App Store insurance policies and decided to supply the Epic Games Store wherever doable. Microsoft is unsurprisingly profiting from this. It can pitch Windows 11’s retailer as a extra open different to Apple’s Mac App Store, even when Mac customers have no actual bother accessing the EGS and different storefronts.