Microsoft is working on several new user experience changes to the built-in Microsoft Store app on Windows 10 that further position it as a one-stop-shop for both digital and physical content. Some of these new changes were demoed at Build 2018 in May, but working code is now being tested internally and should roll out to the public over the coming weeks and months.

The first notable change involves the navigation bar across the top of the app. In the current public builds, the navigation bar is a static horizontal line of categories that takes you to apps, games, movies and TV, books, devices, and extensions. The new Microsoft Store app will feature a contextual navigation menu that changes what's displayed based on the category you've selected.

See also: The Microsoft Store needs an 'Extras' tab, not an 'Edge Extensions' tab

For example, if I select the games category in the navigation menu, I will be taken to the games page, and the navigation menu will change to include different sub-categories that fall under gaming. This includes specific categories for gaming PCs, PC accessories, monitors, Mixed Reality, and Xbox. If I click on any sub-category, that will take me to that categories specific page, and then give me even more sub-categories to choose from.

So, if I chose games, and then selected Xbox, I'd be presented with more sub-categories in the navigation menu that include games, consoles, accessories, deals, Xbox Game Pass, Mixer, My Xbox, and PC gaming. This same behavior can be found in any category chosen in the navigation menu, and it allows Microsoft to present more content types to the user which as a result tells the user that the Microsoft Store is more than just an app store.

More Store enhancements