What but happened? Microsoft is serious near making the Microsoft Shop on Windows an "open store for an open platform." The Redmond-based tech giant has updated its Microsoft Store on Windows policies to let for tertiary-party storefront apps to populate its service. This ways that, just like any other app, you'll soon be able to search for and install third-political party app stores from the Microsoft Store, and they'll have their own product details page.

Microsoft in announcing the alter further noted that Amazon and Epic Games have already signed on to bring their storefronts to the Microsoft Store, and that they should be available within the next few months. There was no mention of Steam in today's announcement, but Windows and device chief Panos Panay told The Verge dorsum in June that they'd be interested in having Steam on the shop.

The new policy comes merely a few months after Microsoft took before steps to open up up the Microsoft Store, including assuasive developers to keep 100 percent of the revenue from their apps if they utilise their own payment platform (unless it is a game).

Microsoft's policy is a breath of fresh air, especially in the wake of the battle between Apple and Epic. Despite a recent ruling in that legal boxing, information technology looks like the state of war is far from over every bit Epic has already appealed the judge's ruling.

That said, not everyone is convinced of Microsoft's goodwill. Some believe the opening of the Microsoft Store to other platforms is lilliputian more than than a PR move that paints the company in a positive light compared to its competitors.

The new Microsoft Shop will open on October 5, the same twenty-four hours that Windows eleven launches.