How to Block Apps from outside of Store on Windows 11?

It has been built into the Windows operating system to protect users’ privacy concerning their data. There is a possibility that your device is set only to run apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store. As a result, Windows 11 will prevent you from installing any app you have downloaded from a source other than the one you got from your computer. I think it’s great that Windows provides this kind of functionality.

Windows 11 would prevent you from trying to install a new program not from the Microsoft Store if you downloaded the old program from the internet. However, you can still use the old program you downloaded and installed on your computer. Whenever you are teaching a beginner, consider the following. It will help if you prevent your child from installing software from sources other than the Microsoft Store until he has learned how to use Windows 11. t makes it safer for someone to download a file from an unidentified source, and the file won’t run on his machine even if the source is not identified.

After blocking the app outside of the Microsoft Store, when you try to install a .exe or .msi on your PC as a result of blocking the app outside of the Microsoft Store, you will get a message saying, “The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app,” as well as an option to open the Store app. When you click the Get apps from Store button, you will prompt to open the Microsoft Store app on your computer. Depending on whether it is available, you can see similar apps that Microsoft has recommended.

How to Block Apps Installation outside of Microsoft Store on Windows 11?

Step. As a first step, you will need to open the Settings app by pressing the Windows and I keys simultaneously on the keyboard.

Step. After you have opened the Settings window, click on the Apps link in the top right corner from the left sidebar.

Step. In the right pane of the Apps, you will see the Apps & features option on the right side pane.

Step. Next, click on the Apps & features settings page on the drop-down menu “Choose where to get apps.”

Step. After that, select The Microsoft Store only (Recommended) option from the drop-down menu that appears.

After completing the above steps, you can close the setting app now.

Once you have blocked the application running on your PC, whenever you try to run an installation file (such as a . EXE or a . MSI file), Windows 11 will prevent you from running it. During the installation process, you will see a message stating, “The app you are trying to install is not a Microsoft-verified app.” Therefore, you should enable this optional feature to keep your computer free of malware infections.

You can repeat the above steps if you decide to allow apps on all the websites in the future so that you can select Anywhere or another option that suits your preference.

That’s it for the article.

I hope this post will be helpful to you.

Good luck & stay healthy, guys.

Also, read How to Password Protect Microsoft Office Files on Windows 11 or 10?