Windows 8: Install apps without a Windows store
The installation of apps from sources other than the Windows Store is not permitted by default. If you still want to load such an app, you can allow this by making a setting in the registry.
Allow third-party apps via the registry
- Call up the registry editor with »regedit« and then navigate to the key »HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Appx«.
- Here mark the DWORD value »AllowAllTrustedApps« on the right and double click on it to edit.
- Now change the "Value" to "1" and confirm the dialog with "OK". Then close the registry and restart the system.
Apply for developer license - install apps without Windows Store
You also need a limited free developer license for your computer. To get this, do the following:
- First open the powershell with administrator rights and enter the command »Show-WindowsDeveloper-LicenseRegistration«.
- Confirm the message and log in to your Microsoft account.
- After you have received the license, you can install each app package in the Powershell with the command »Add-Appx-Package C: \ Data \ muster.appx«, using the path and file name of the desired app.
With the command »Get-WindowsDeveloperLicense« you can later check the validity and duration of the developer license. Please note that the app package must be signed with a certificate that you have accepted as trustworthy on the relevant computer. In another practical tip, we will tell you how to install unsigned drivers under Windows 8.