iTunes is now in the Microsoft Store and I have installed it to replace the existing iTunes program. Installation was straightforward and it automatically uninstalls the older version and, as far as I can see, transports over all settings and content. This included automatically retaining and linking to my iTunes library that I have installed on a different drive.
When I attached my iPod Nano to update the podcasts, a notification popped up advising that iPod software needed to be installed and, once again, it did this automatically. The size of the App was 213mb and the iPod software 32mb. (Care a UAC screen came up for both but with the iPod software it was hidden under the iTunes window. I wondered why the installation had stalled and it took a couple seconds before I noticed the UAC icon flashing in the Task Bar.)
Of course, there is no obligation to do this but I have adopted a policy to get everything I can from the store. This is because of the increasing problem of getting unwanted extras with many free programs particularly from file download sites.
I am regularly asked by my friends to “fix” their computers and, more often than not, the problems are caused by unwanted search engines, toolbars, trial anti virus programs etc., which can only have been installed along with some other wanted free program. Most, if not all of these unasked for “extras” open at start up and generally slow down the computer and are extremely difficult to remove.
Consequently, I have adopted a policy to first look in the store and, if not successful, then to go to the original source to get the program. I will no longer go to any third party download site. I am also prepared to pay for programs and Apps.
I do this both for Windows and Mac but unfortunately the Microsoft Store is not yet as good as the Apple store. Furthermore, I have found programs in the Microsoft store that don’t work. For example, when I tried the store for a program to unzip .7z files the programs available did not work. In that case, I then went to the 7-Zip site. I also always look at the reviews but at least with a store App, if it doesn’t work it can be easily uninstalled without any damage to the computer.
However the Microsoft Store is slowly improving and I now have good useful Apps like Adobe Photoshop Elements, Paint.net and iTunes from the Microsoft Store.
For everything else I go to the original site for the download and, even then, I am very careful.