Sometimes, a platform can die without actually dying. For example, a company can stop producing certain products but still support them with software updates. Guess what, did you know that you could still download apps to your Windows phone even in 2025? No? Well, don’t sweat it because Microsoft just shut down the Windows 10 Mobile store.
The Windows phone was a beautiful disaster of an operating system. There are people who still remember it fondly. The iconic grid of tiles made the platform stand out against Android and iOS. Truth be told, it was a solid operating system. However, terrible app support, among other issues, kept the platform from sticking. Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows Mobile, pushing users to switch up to either an Android phone or iPhone.
Be that as it may, users who clung to their Windows phones could still download apps. While the pool of available apps wasn’t great to start with, it was still good news for people who just couldn’t let go.
But, Microsoft has shut down the Windows 10 Mobile store
Nothing lasts forever, and we’re surprised that Microsoft sustained the store as long as it did. Having been dead for years, Windows phones aren’t exactly selling in high volume. So, the need to keep the store up has been gone for quite some time.
Well now, in the year 2025, it looks like Microsoft has officially killed the store. Several people in the r/windowsphone Subreddit have reported getting gray screens and error messages when trying to access the store.
Since the store is dead, this officially marks the death date for Windows Mobile. The phones had been discontinued for years, Microsoft stopped sending out software updates, and apps stopped receiving updates back in 2021. However, the Windows Mobile store was the last bastion, the final lifeline keeping the platform anchored to the world. With it gone, we can officially say that Windows Phone is dead.
Honestly, it’s a bit sad to see it happen. Say what you want about Windows Phone, but it was a unique operating system. It brought an aesthetic that set it apart from the other phones of the day.
It’s important to know that there are sites where you can still download the APPX files. So, if you have a phone, and you know how to sideload apps, then you can search for them. Just know that this opens you up to the risk of downloading malware.
