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Google published a "Chrome browser" app in the Windows Store on Tuesday, but it simply opened up a Google Chrome download page in the default Windows browser. Most users would then have been able to download and install the Chrome browser, except for the minority of Windows 10 S users who are restricted to downloading Windows Store apps which must use the EdgeHTML rendering engine rather than Blink. Microsoft was not amused at the stunt and removed the "app" from its Store later that day:
Google published a Chrome app in the Windows Store earlier today, which just directed users to a download link to install the browser. Microsoft isn't impressed with Google's obvious snub of the Windows Store, and it's taking action. "We have removed the Google Chrome Installer App from Microsoft Store, as it violates our Microsoft Store policies," says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge.
Citing the need to ensure apps "provide unique and distinct value," Microsoft says "we welcome Google to build a Microsoft Store browser app compliant with our Microsoft Store policies." That's an invitation that Google is unlikely to accept. There are many reasons Google won't likely bring Chrome to the Windows Store, but the primary reason is probably related to Microsoft's Windows 10 S restrictions. Windows Store apps that browse the web must use HTML and JavaScript engines provided by Windows 10, and Google's Chrome browser uses its own Blink rendering engine. Google would have to create a special Chrome app that would adhere to Microsoft's Store policies.
Most Windows 10 machines don't run Windows 10 S, so Google probably won't create a special version just to get its browser listed in the Windows Store. Google can't just package its existing desktop app into a Centennial Windows Store app, either. Microsoft is explicit about any store apps having to use the Edge rendering engine.
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(Score: 3, Insightful) by rleigh on Wednesday December 20 2017, @10:59PM
Microsoft Windows Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon and the rest. They all suck. The problem isn't that the idea is bad, because having a convenient and uniform way to purchase and install software isn't inherently awful. The problem is that none of them can resist the lure of corporate control over both the user and the developers. Rather than having a simple set of objective technical criteria for review, they start using it as a way of getting one over their competitors to push their products and corporate ideology. It's sort of understandable from their point of view (even if the rest of us find it objectionable), but in doing so they remove much of the value the store might have to an end user or a third-party developer. I'm pretty sure I'll never purchase anything from the Microsoft Windows Store, let alone submit anything to it.