Microsoft (Sort Of) Created an Alternative to Ninite
Ninite has long been a godsend for anyone setting up a new computer. It lets you install numerous applications with just a few clicks, instead of downloading a bunch of separate installers. Ninite is also renowned for its simplicity. No need to learn a package manager or enter commands; just go to the website, select the applications you need, then download and run the installer. Installation happens in the background, without any prompts. It’s simply magical, and I’ve long wondered why Microsoft hasn’t created something similar—something powerful yet easy to use.
Well, it looks like someone at the company has finally figured it out. Microsoft’s new website, called App Pack, does just that. It lets you go to a Microsoft Store page, choose from a list of apps, and then install them by downloading and running a single installer. This is exactly how Ninite works, although there are a few differences between the two options.
The main difference is that Microsoft’s App Pack uses the Microsoft Store to install apps, while the downloadable installer instructs the store to handle downloads. This means that updates will also be handled by the store, which is a significant advantage, but it also means that supported apps are limited to those available in the store. This is partly why Ninite offers a much wider selection of software. App Pack offers 32 apps in four categories; Ninite offers over 90 different apps across all categories.
But then there’s Microsoft. The App Pack doesn’t install Chrome, which isn’t in the Microsoft Store. But it also doesn’t install Firefox, which is in the . Considering that many Windows users are among the first to replace Edge, this is a serious drawback; considering that Microsoft seems to be very reluctant to let Windows users replace Edge, this is unsurprising. Meanwhile, Ninite lets you install Chrome and Firefox, as well as other browsers like Opera, Brave, and, surprisingly, Edge.
But the App Pack offers more than just Microsoft software. It includes Zoom and several Apple apps (iCloud, Music, and TV). There are desktop apps for all major social networks (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, and LinkedIn). There are also several customization tools, including TranslucentTB for customizing the taskbar and F.lux for adjusting the display’s color temperature. There are also numerous media apps, including Photoshop, Audacity, and OBS Studio. Ninite simply offers more features, including popular power-user tools like VLC, WinDirStat, 7-Zip, and Handbrake.
If you don’t need these extra apps, App Pack is a comprehensive set of tools, and I can imagine the one-click installation will save many Windows users a ton of time. You can find it here or by clicking the “Install multiple apps” button in the upper-right corner of the web version of the Microsoft Store.