Windows 10 will soon allow its users to block installation of apps which are coming from the sources other than the Microsoft Store. They hope that this feature will them prevent the installation of malware.
The feature will essentially prevent the users from installing the Win32 applications. It is said to be currently tested as part of their latest build to was published in the Insider Preview program.
The Win32 is one of the core set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that are available in Microsoft Windows operating systems platform and is very often referred to as the Windows API. In addition to the Win32 apps, Windows 10 users can install software that are built upon Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform(UWP).
The new platform is the framework for applications which support not just Windows 10 computers, but also some other devices which are running on the platform, like HoloLens, Xbox One, and phones. Microsoft Store, the app portal is accessible from all of these devices and only accepts UWP applications. Microsoft even released a converter to help the developers port Win32 apps to the UWP.
With the millions of Win32 applications available, it will take a while before all the developers switch to this new framework, especially if the users are not in a hurry to embrace the UWP applications.
What newly observed change does is to let the users block the Win32 apps from being installed on their computeres, by selecting an option to “Allow apps from the Store only” from the Windows 10’s Apps & Features settings screen.
The option is expected to become available in all Windows 10 editions once the Creators Update arrives in April, which will also allow enterprise users to benefit from it. Basically, admins will be able to install necessary apps and then turn the feature on to keep unwanted applications away.
source: securityweek