How to Run Games and Other Apps from the Microsoft Store on a Mac

All Mac® users know about the Mac App Store®, and most have probably used it to get an app or two. If you’re also a Parallels Desktop® for Mac user, there’s another store you should check out: the Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Store is accessible from Windows 8 or 10—but in all practical terms, this means onlvidy Windows 10, since Windows 8 is used so rarely these days.

The Microsoft Store is for all things to play or consume on Windows 10: movies, music, apps, books, fonts, extensions to the Edge browser, and even hardware. In Apple® terms, it’s iTunes®, the Mac App Store, iBooks®, and the Apple Store® all rolled into one. However, in this blog post, I will focus mainly on apps available from the Microsoft Store.

Accessing the Store

Just as Apple has the App Store app, Microsoft has the Microsoft Store app. (See Figure 1.)

Here are some apps I have downloaded from the Microsoft Store, none of which are available on the Mac App Store:

Games	Productivity	Learning	Just Interesting
Age of Empires: Castle Siege	Microsoft Whiteboard	Kakitai: Learn Japanese by Writing	Nebo*
Crossy Road*	Office 365 Home*	Sensavis Visual Learning Tool	Plumbago
Microsoft Mahjong	Sway*	Penbook
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition	Delve*	GestureSign
Age of Sparta	Microsoft Math	Microsoft Font Maker
Translator*
Fluid Math

*Available for the iPhone®/iPad® in the Apple App Store.

All of these apps run fine for me on my MacBook Pro® in a Windows 10 VM using Parallels Desktop 14—with the single exception of Age of Empires: Definitive Edition. I used every setting I know to get this app to run with acceptable performance, but in the end, I gave up. (Age of Empires is my favorite game of all time, as I posted back in 2014.)

You can predict whether an app in the Microsoft Store will run in Parallels Desktop by looking at its system requirements from within your virtual machine. (See Figure 2.)

Figures 3–5 show some other apps from the Microsoft Store running in Parallels Desktop on my MacBook Pro.

Video 1 shows some games from the Microsoft Store running in Parallels Desktop 14 on my MacBook Pro:

And Video 2 shows some of the 3D models available for the Sensavis Visual Learning Tool:

As of today, there are about 800,000 Windows 10 apps in the Microsoft Store, as opposed to only about 11,000 in the Mac App Store. There are a number of excellent apps in both stores, and the Mac user with Parallels Desktop can take advantage of both to find the perfect app for your needs.

Have you found a particularly useful or novel app on the Microsoft Store? If so, tell us about it in the comments.

Software for Mac

Отображается 1 — 2 из 2 результатов

Windows 10 Домашняя

ОС Windows 10, установленная на вашем компьютере, предоставляет универсальные возможности.

• Ко встроенным функциям защиты относятся антивирус, брандмауэр и средства интернет-защиты.
• С помощью Windows Hello вы можете отсканировать свое лицо или отпечаток пальца, чтобы выполнять разблокировку компьютера быстро, безопасно и без использования пароля*.
• Функция фокусировки внимания позволяет блокировать уведомления, звуки и оповещения, чтобы они не отвлекали вас во время работы.
• В ленте можно быстро и удобно просматривать последние документы, приложения и веб-сайты.
• Фотографии (Майкрософт) — это простой способ упорядочивать, искать, редактировать фото и видео, а также делиться ими**.
• Меню Game Bar позволяет стримить игровой процесс, записывать видео с экрана и настраивать индивидуальные параметры звука.

* Для использования некоторых функций требуется специальное оборудование и (или) программное обеспечение.
** Программа «Фотографии (Майкрософт)» работает с изображениями и видео, которые хранятся на компьютере и в OneDrive.

Windows 10 Pro

Получите в свое распоряжение все возможности ОС «Windows 10 Домашняя», а также удаленный рабочий стол, Windows Information Protection*, BitLocker** и набор средств для коммерческого использования. Лицензия для использования на одном ПК или компьютере Mac.

* Для управления параметрами Windows Information Protection требуется система управления мобильными устройствами или System Center Configuration Manager. Эти продукты продаются отдельно. Служба Active Directory упрощает управление, но использовать ее не обязательно.
** Для защиты ключей на основе доверенного платформенного модуля (TPM) требуется TPM 1.2 или более поздней версии.

Software for Mac

Showing 1 — 6 of 6 results

Microsoft 365 Family

One convenient subscription for up to 6 people. Includes premium Office apps, up to 6TB of cloud storage – 1 TB per person – and advanced security for all your devices.

With Microsoft 365 Family you and the people you share with can:

• Access smart assistance features, plus hundreds of premium templates, photos, icons, and fonts in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Save and share files and photos across devices with OneDrive
• Experience advanced security protection in OneDrive and Outlook
• Set location alerts in the Microsoft Family Safety mobile app*
• Each person can use the subscription on up to 5 devices at the same time
• Contact support via chat or phone at no extra cost throughout your subscription

*App available for free. Availability varies by operating platform and market. Visit http://microsoft365.com/information for more information.

Microsoft 365 Personal

One convenient subscription that includes premium Office apps, 1 TB of cloud storage, and advanced security for all your devices.

With Microsoft 365 Personal you can:

• Access smart assistance features, plus hundreds of premium templates, photos, icons, and fonts in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Save and share files and photos across devices with OneDrive
• Experience advanced security protection in OneDrive and Outlook
• Use the subscription on up to 5 devices at the same time
• Contact support via chat or phone at no extra cost throughout your subscription

Windows 10 Home

With Windows 10 at the heart of your computer you can do it all.

• Built-in security features include antivirus, firewall, and internet protections
• Scan your face or fingerprint with Windows Hello for a fast, secure, and password-free way to unlock your PC.*
• Focus assist allows you to block notifications, sounds, and alerts for some distraction-free work time.
• Your timeline provides a quick and easy way to scroll your most recent documents, apps, and websites
• Microsoft Photos is a simple way to organize, search, edit, and share your photos and videos.**
• Instantly stream live gameplay, take screen recordings, and control individual audio settings with Game bar.

*Some features require specialized hardware and/or software.
**Microsoft Photos works with pictures and videos stored on your PC and in OneDrive.

Windows 10 Pro

Get all the features of Windows 10 Home operating system plus Remote Desktop, Windows Information Protection*, BitLocker** and a suite of tools designed for business use. Licensed for one PC or Mac.

*Windows Information Protection requires either Mobile Device Management or System Center Configuration Manager to manage settings. These products are sold separately. Active Directory makes management easier but is not required.
** Requires TPM 1.2 or greater for TPM based key protection.

Office Home & Student 2019

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2019 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Microsoft support included for 60 days at no extra cost
• Licensed for home use

All languages included. Compatible with Windows 10 or macOS*
*Go to office.com/systemrequirements for compatible versions of Windows 10 and macOS and for other feature requirements.

Office Home & Business 2019

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2019 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Microsoft support included for 60 days at no extra cost
• Licensed for home and commercial use

All languages included. Compatible with Windows 10 or macOS*
*Go to office.com/systemrequirements for compatible versions of Windows 10 and macOS and for other feature requirements.

Showing 1 — 6 of 6 results

Translate to English

Язык Microsoft Store: United States — English

Вас интересует язык Microsoft Store: Россия — Русский?

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Software for Mac

Showing 1 — 6 of 6 results

Microsoft 365 Family

One convenient subscription for up to 6 people. Includes premium Office apps, up to 6TB of cloud storage – 1 TB per person – and advanced security for all your devices.

With Microsoft 365 Family you and the people you share with can:

• Access smart assistance features, plus hundreds of premium templates, photos, icons, and fonts in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Save and share files and photos across devices with OneDrive
• Experience advanced security protection in OneDrive and Outlook
• Set location alerts in the Microsoft Family Safety mobile app*
• Each person can use the subscription on up to 5 devices at the same time
• Contact support via chat or phone at no extra cost throughout your subscription

*App available for free. Availability varies by operating platform and market. Visit http://microsoft365.com/information for more information.

Microsoft 365 Personal

One convenient subscription that includes premium Office apps, 1 TB of cloud storage, and advanced security for all your devices.

With Microsoft 365 Personal you can:

• Access smart assistance features, plus hundreds of premium templates, photos, icons, and fonts in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Save and share files and photos across devices with OneDrive
• Experience advanced security protection in OneDrive and Outlook
• Use the subscription on up to 5 devices at the same time
• Contact support via chat or phone at no extra cost throughout your subscription

Windows 10 Home

With Windows 10 at the heart of your computer you can do it all.

• Built-in security features include antivirus, firewall, and internet protections
• Scan your face or fingerprint with Windows Hello for a fast, secure, and password-free way to unlock your PC.*
• Focus assist allows you to block notifications, sounds, and alerts for some distraction-free work time.
• Your timeline provides a quick and easy way to scroll your most recent documents, apps, and websites
• Microsoft Photos is a simple way to organize, search, edit, and share your photos and videos.**
• Instantly stream live gameplay, take screen recordings, and control individual audio settings with Game bar.

*Some features require specialized hardware and/or software.
**Microsoft Photos works with pictures and videos stored on your PC and in OneDrive.

Windows 10 Pro

Get all the features of Windows 10 Home operating system plus Remote Desktop, Windows Information Protection*, BitLocker** and a suite of tools designed for business use. Licensed for one PC or Mac.

*Windows Information Protection requires either Mobile Device Management or System Center Configuration Manager to manage settings. These products are sold separately. Active Directory makes management easier but is not required.
** Requires TPM 1.2 or greater for TPM based key protection.

Office Home & Student 2019

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2019 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Microsoft support included for 60 days at no extra cost
• Licensed for home use

All languages included. Compatible with Windows 10 or macOS*
*Go to office.com/systemrequirements for compatible versions of Windows 10 and macOS and for other feature requirements.

Office Home & Business 2019

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2019 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Microsoft support included for 60 days at no extra cost
• Licensed for home and commercial use

All languages included. Compatible with Windows 10 or macOS*
*Go to office.com/systemrequirements for compatible versions of Windows 10 and macOS and for other feature requirements.

Showing 1 — 6 of 6 results

Translate to English

Язык Microsoft Store: Canada — English

Вас интересует язык Microsoft Store: Россия — Русский?

Перевести на русский

You are shopping Microsoft Store in: Canada — English

Are you looking for Microsoft Store in: Россия — Русский?

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Stay informed about special deals, the latest products, events and more from Microsoft Store. Available to Canada residents.

By clicking sign up, I agree that I would like to hear from Microsoft and its family of companies about Microsoft Store and other Microsoft products and services.

To withdraw consent or manage your contact preferences, visit the Promotional Communications Manager Privacy Statement

You’re now signed up to receive Microsoft Store emails. Thank you!