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I want to backup my current Windows 8 Metro apps so that I can install them to other PC's or Install them later if I format and re-install Windows 8 again.

I want to install these Metro Modern UI apps on a PC that does NOT have internet connectivity, I want an alternative way to install metro apps.

How can I do this?

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  • You won't be able to transfer them as the applications are tied to your Microsoft Account. – Ramhound Nov 14 '12 at 20:30
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I asked a similar question on the Windows 8 Developer chat and Jerry Nixon, Microsoft Developer Evangelist, gave me this answer -

There are two ways to install a Windows 8 app - either through the store or through side-loading. Side-loading has native support on Win RT, Win 8 Pro and Enterprise only. Windows 8 Core can be "enabled" by installing Visual Studio. As far as I know, apps from the store can not be copied and side-loaded to another PC. At least I hope not for IP sake.

As per the Windows Store for developers blog, the two options available are:

  • Make the app available through the Windows Store, which means the app must adhere to the same certification policies and process required for all apps in the Store
  • Build the app internally or sell it directly to the enterprise, which means IT admins must distribute the app directly to end-users within the enterprise, without involving the Store.

Going by these sources, installing a copy of a Windows 8 Metro app that you own, on multiple PCs doesn't appear to be possible.

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The official way to reinstall Metro apps is to re-download them from the Store.

If you enter the store and right-click, you'll get the following menu:

Store top menu

If you then click on Your apps, you can see all the apps you have previously purchased or downloaded but which are not installed on the current PC:

Apps not installed on this PC

This gives you quick access to the app detail pages to start reinstalling.

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    The problem is that other PC does NOT have internet connectivity, and I want to install some metro apps on it. – Akshat Mittal Oct 22 '12 at 12:18
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    I believe this is deliberately unsupported, as it would have no way to check you are authorised to install the app from the Store (especially for paid apps) - the only possible workaround is to contact the developer of a free app and ask if they would be willing to send the installation file to you for sideloading (how to sideload is another question entirely) – Graham Wager Oct 22 '12 at 12:20
  • I guess, there would be some way to do the same thing as Chrome also installs Modern UI version of the same. Also when I am coding Modern UI apps, the resulting "Executable" file is a EXE but can not be launched simple by double-clicking. It needs to be launched by the Metro interface. The apps should be stored somewhere from where we can copy the files. – Akshat Mittal Oct 22 '12 at 12:25
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Unfortunately it is not supported yet.

However, I believe that will have to change because it causes a huge problem. If people purchase and app in the store for $50 and then the developer for whatever reason pulls the app from the store. You are stuck without a way to ever install the product you paid for again.

That's a huge problem, the kind that leads to lawsuits.

I believe that policy will have to change at some point, once challenged.

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  • Is hasn't happened to Apple yet, so I can't see it happening to Microsoft. – ChrisF Nov 14 '12 at 20:22

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