The Microsoft Store, the Windows application store, has become one of the most convenient places to find and download PC applications of all kinds. However, it previously had very strict rules that prevented many programs, such as browsers that did not use the same engine as Edge, from landing on it. This means that the most popular web browsers, such as Google Chrome, do not access this application store. And, although now the rules have changed and become more flexible, this type of program keeps coming with droppers.
After waiting many years for the possibility of being able to download our favorite browsers from the Microsoft Store, and take advantage of the advantages that these types of applications offer us (better performance, more security, separate Location, etc.), finally browser third-party apps are slowly coming to the Windows App Store.
The first to do so was Firefox, Mozilla’s opensource browser, which can be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Store on Windows for a few months now. And, now, the new browser that has arrived on the store, and has overtaken Google Chrome yet again, is Vivaldi.
For those who are not familiar with this browser, it is an alternative to Google Chrome, which uses the same engine (i.e., Chromium) and is made by the creators of the popular Opera. This browser is ultra-light, ultra-fast, private as well as one of the most innovative in terms of its interface and functions. In addition, the developers have programmed this browser around privacy, so it is one of the best options that we can choose if we do not want big companies to take our data.
What’s included in Vivaldi from the Microsoft Store on Windows
With this move, the Vivaldi developers want to show that they still want to provide the best possible experience to the users. As of today, this browser is already available in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 Microsoft Store, and all users who want to start using it can download it now and try it out from there.
This version of Microsoft Store is similar to the version that we can download and install natively on the computer. The Vivaldi app for the Microsoft Store uses the same Chromium engine, is compatible with Chrome extensions, and has all the functions, features, and options of the main browser. Of course, it has some improvements in terms of security and performance, due to the nature of Windows UWP applications, since, by running in a secure and isolated environment, user data is kept more private.
In the Microsoft Store tab itself we can find some of the main features that the developers highlight in this browser:
- Workspace for organizing tabs.
- Double tab bar to keep them more organized.
- Possibility to view two tabs in the same window at the same time.
- Support for Chrome Extensions.
- Keyboard and mouse shortcuts.
- custom search engine.
- Vivaldi Apps: Tools for taking screenshots, managing mail, calendar, and more.
- Themes to customize the program.
