Manage Software for Windows with Microsoft Store

To manage software apps on Windows devices, JumpCloud is utilizing Private Repositories, Chocolatey packages and the Microsoft Store. Using the Microsoft Store via JumpCloud Software Management allows you to control the installation and updating of software on your JumpCloud-managed Windows fleet.

 Some benefits of the Microsoft Store include:

  • Apps are verified and constantly updated – an important security feature
  • Admins can easily manage licenses
  • Apps can be deployed immediately to specific devices or groups using JumpCloud MDM

Prerequisites

Considerations

  • At this time, the only way to add Microsoft Store apps to JumpCloud MDM is by entering the app’s Package ID (PID).
  • JumpCloud is relying on Microsoft APIs for this service and if Microsoft changes these APIs, this feature may stop working.

Warning:

Not all software in the Microsoft Store can be deployed by JumpCloud today. Legacy applications that do not contain a Package Family Name (whose identifier starts with something other than 9) cannot yet be deployed from this software management solution. 

What is the Microsoft Store?

The Microsoft Store is a unified distribution point for verified Windows apps. The Microsoft Store's apps differ from apps available for public distribution as they are installed directly from the Store versus being downloaded and run as an installation package. They also offer greater security in that they are constantly updated and when installed, run in a 'sandbox'. This means they can’t touch data in other places on your JumpCloud managed Windows devices eliminating the need for administrator permission when installing apps.

Adding Applications from the Microsoft Store

To add using the Package ID

  1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.
  2. Go to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management.
  3. Select the Windows tab, select (+), and then select Microsoft Store.
  4. Under Package Settings, click the Microsoft Store link.
  5. In the Microsoft Store tab, search for and select your desired application.
  6. In the URL field, copy the PID.

Tip:

If the URL for the application is "https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9WZDNCRFJ3PV?hl=en-us&gl=US", the PID will be 9WZDNCRFJ3PV.

  1. Back in the JumpCloud Admin Portal, enter the following information:
    • Software Name – enter the name of the software.
    • Package ID – paste the PID copied from the the Microsoft Store.
    • Select Prevent auto-update to disable automatic updates. If this field is not selected, the Microsoft Store settings will determine whether the app is automatically updated.
    • Select Prevent users from uninstalling if you do not want users to be able to uninstall the app from their device.
  2. Click save.

To edit the Microsoft Store application

  1. Navigate to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management > Windows tab.
  2. Search for and select the application from the list.
  3. Make any changes and then click save.

Deploying Microsoft Store Apps to Your Device(s)

You can deploy Windows apps to either a single device or a preconfigured Device Group.

To deploy the app immediately to specific devices

  1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.
  2. Go to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management.
  3. Select the Windows tab and select the app you want to deploy.
  4. Select the Devices tab.
  5. Select the Windows device(s) where you want to deploy the app.
  6. Click save and then save again.

To deploy the app immediately to a device group

  1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.
  2. Go to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management.
  3. Select the Windows tab and select the app you want to deploy.
  4. Select the Device Groups tab.
  5. Select the group(s) that you want to deploy the app to.
  6. Click save and then save again.

To confirm the Windows app has been installed to a device or group

  1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.
  2. Go to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management.
  3. Select the Status tab.
  4. A list of devices where the app is installed will appear. Click View next to any of devices for the following information:
    • Status
    • Status Details
    • Status Code
    • Software Version
    • Timestamp
  5. Click Ok when finished.

Removing Microsoft Store apps

User removal of apps

Warning:

Users will not be able to uninstall apps if Prevent users from uninstalling is selected.

  1. On the specific device, navigate to Settings > Apps.
  2. Select the app from the Apps & features list and click Uninstall.
  3. Restart your computer (if directed) to complete the uninstall.

Admin removal of apps

Important:

This removes the managed software package from the Admin Portal, not from the users' machines. The software will become unmanaged on the device and default back to the Microsoft Store settings.

  1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.
  2. Go to DEVICE MANAGEMENT > Software Management > Windows tab.
  3. Search for and select the checkbox next to the app you want to remove.
  4. Click delete and then delete again.
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