Technical information

Chapter 4: Working with Apps
79
Adding and Deleting Apps
Apps, which are mini-programs specialized for
single tasks, come from the world of smartphones:
computerized cellphones. In fact, the apps in
Windows 8 haven’t cut their ties to the cellphone
world. Apps you download for Windows 8 can also
run on a Windows 8 cellphone.
Apps differ from traditional desktop programs in
several ways:
✓ Appsconsumetheentirescreen; programs run
within windows on the desktop.
✓ AppsaretiedtoyourMicrosoftaccount.That
means you need a Microsoft account to down-
load a free or paid app from the Store app.
✓ WhenyoudownloadanappfromtheWindows
8Storeapp,youcanrunitonuptofivePCsor
devices — as long as you’re signed in to those
PCs or devices with your Windows account.
✓ AppsconsumejustonetileontheStartscreen,
therebyreducingStartscreenbloat.When
installed, programs tend to sprinkle several tiles
onto your Start screen.
Apps and programs can be created and sold by large
companies, as well as by basement-dwelling hobby-
ists working in their spare time.
Although desktop programs and Start screen apps
look and behave differently, Microsoft unfortunately
refers to both as apps in Windows 8. You’ll run across
this terminology quirk when dealing with older pro-
grams, as well as newer programs created by compa-
nies not hip to Microsoft’s new lingo.
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