How to Sideload Apps on Windows 10

How to Sideload Apps on Windows 10: Usually, we all know that to download any app for Windows 10, we need to visit the official Windows Store. However, there are some instances when you want to download apps that are not yet available on the Windows Store. What would you do? Yes, not all apps developed by developers make it to the Windows Store. So what if someone wants to try these apps or what if you are a developer and want to test your app? What if you want to access leaked apps in the market for Windows 10?

In such case, you can enable Windows 10 to sideload apps. But by default, this feature is disabled in order to prevent you from downloading apps from any other sources except Windows Store. The reasons behind this is to secure your device from any security loop-holes and malware. Windows Store only allows apps that are gone through its certification process and are tested as secure apps to download and run.

How to Sideload Apps on Windows 10

How to Sideload Apps on Windows 10

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

So today, we are going to discuss how to download & run apps from third-party sources instead of Windows 10 Store. But a word of caution, if your device is owned by your company then most probably the administrator would have already blocked the settings to enable this feature. Also, only download apps from trusted sources, since most of the apps you download from third-party sources have high chances of being infected with virus or malware.

Anyway, without wasting any more time let’s see how to activate sideload apps on Windows 10 and start downloading apps from other sources instead of Windows Store:

1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Update & Security. 

Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Update & security icon

2.From the left-hand menu click on For Developers.

3.Select “Sideload apps” under the Use developer features section.

Select Sideload apps under the Use developer features section

4.When you are prompted, you need to click on Yes to enable your system to download the apps from outside the Windows Store.

Click Yes to enable your system to download the apps from outside the Windows Store

5.Reboot your system to save changes.

You may have noticed that there is another mode available called Developer Mode. If you enable Developer Mode on Windows 10 then also you would be able to download & install apps from other sources. So if your main goal is to download apps from third-party sources then you could either enable Sideload apps or Developer Mode. The only difference between them is that with Developer Mode or Test Mode, you can test, debug, install apps and this will also enable some developer-specific features.

You could always choose the level of security of your device using these settings:

  • Windows Store apps: This is the default settings which only let you install apps from the Window Store
  • Sideload apps: This means installing an app that has not been certified by the Windows Store, for example, an app that is internal to your company only.
  • Developer mode: Lets you test, debug, install your apps on your device and you can also Sideload apps.

 

However, you need to keep in mind that there is a security concern while activating these features as downloading apps from non-tristed sources can potentially harm your computer. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you don’t download & install any of these apps until you’re confirmed that the particular as is safe to download & use.

Note: You need to activate downloading apps feature only when you want to download universal apps & not the desktop apps.

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I hope the above steps were helpful and now you can easily Sideload Apps on Windows 10, but if you still have any questions regarding this tutorial then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

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