Find, install, and uninstall applications from the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is your go-to source for apps and games that work with HoloLens. When you go to the Store on your HoloLens, any apps you see there will run on it.

Apps on HoloLens use either 2D view or holographic view. Apps that use 2D view look like windows and can be positioned all around you. Apps that use holographic view surround you and become the only app you see.

HoloLens supports many existing applications from the Microsoft Store, and new apps built specifically for HoloLens. This article focuses on holographic applications from the Microsoft Store.

To learn more about installing and running custom apps, read Custom holographic applications.

New look for the store

There is a new version of the Microsoft Store app for the HoloLens 2. This app update will occur seamlessly when the Microsoft Store app itself is updated. When the update is complete, you'll see a storefront very similar to the store app that is available on desktop. Since this is an app update it will be distributed to all HoloLens 2 devices, regardless of OS version.

Much of the store's functionality will be the same, however some placement of items or changes in icons has occurred. One such instance is the see more button "..." has been removed, and to find your apps and updates you can use the Library button.

Find apps

Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu. Then browse for apps and games. You can use voice commands to search by saying "Search", once the search window opens say "Start dictating" and then when prompted begin saying your search terms.

Install apps

To download apps, you'll need to be signed in with a Microsoft account. Some apps are free and can be downloaded right away. For apps that require a purchase, you must be signed in to the Store with your Microsoft account and have a valid payment method.

1. To open the Start menu, perform a Start gesture or bloom gesture on HoloLens (1st gen).

2. Select the Microsoft Store app. After the Store app opens:

   1. Use the search bar to look for applications.
   2. Select essential apps or apps made specifically for HoloLens from one of the curated categories.
   3. On the top right of the Store app, select the "..." button and then select My Library to view any previously purchased apps.

3. Select Get or Install on the application's page (a purchase may be required).

Install Microsoft OneDrive PWA App

Pre-Requisites: User has already joined the HoloLens 2 device to their work tenant.

1. Open start menu and launch Edge browser.

   

2. On your HoloLens go to https://onedrive.live.com/about/signin and enter your Work account credentials

   

3. Once you have successfully logged into your OneDrive web portal, wait for 30 to 60 secs for PWA download button to show up

   

4. Select the PWA download button and install the app

   

5. Close the Edge browser and from the Start menu, select the All Apps button and launch the OneDrive PWA App labeled Microsoft OneDrive

   

   Note

   The “Microsoft OneDrive” is the PWA app where as “OneDrive” is the older UWP.

6. You'll then be able to see your OneDrive files.

   

See also: Enabling automatic uploads to OneDrive for business

Update Apps

Manual updates

While apps from the Microsoft Store are kept up to date automatically by the device, sometimes you may want to manually check for updates to get those app updates sooner. This can be done from either the Settings app or the Microsoft Store app.

Settings app

To manually check for updates to Store apps from the Settings app, go to Apps -> App updates.  This is particularly useful if access to the Microsoft Store is blocked in your environment.

IT admins are able to block or allow this page with the Settings/PageVisibilityList policy with the URI ms-settings:appupdate.

See screenshot below of the Settings app where this feature can be seen.

Microsoft Store app

1. To open the Start menu, perform a Start gesture.

2. Select the Store app.

3. Look at the bottom left of the store app.

4. Select the Library icon and Get updates.

Want to know what version an app is on? From the Library screen select an app installed on your device to go to that apps page, and scroll to the bottom and look for >_ Installed version.

Automatic app updates

Automatic updates apply to Microsoft Store apps, and they can be updated automatically only if they have been installed directly from the Store or installed using the store package via Intune. If installed from Intune using a private package, IT can push updates down from MDM.

How automatic updates work

Automatic app updates are scheduled to occur daily subject to network availability. These updates occur approximately every 24 hours, although updates per device can be random. Keep your device either active or plugged into AC to receive updates. Even if app updates are downloaded during active daily usage, they will only be applied when the app to be updated is no longer in use.

How IT administrators can control automatic updates

IT administrators can control automatic app updates through the ApplicationManagement/AllowAppStoreAutoUpdate policy. This policy allows them to enable or disable automatic app updates completely, but it does not control when updates occur.

As of 21H2, IT administrators can also use the ScheduleForceRestartForUpdateFailures policy to control when apps that were in use, but could not be updated in previous attempts, should be forcibly restarted.

Uninstall apps

There are three ways to uninstall applications. You can uninstall applications through the Microsoft Store, Start menu or from Settings.

Uninstall from the Microsoft Store

Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu, and then browse for the application you want to uninstall. On the Store page, each installed application has an Uninstall button.

Uninstall from the Start menu

On the Start menu or in the All apps list, browse to the app. Select and hold until the menu appears, then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from Settings

On the Start menu, select Settings > Apps. Find the app from the list, select it and then click Uninstall.

HoloLens 1 only

1. To open the Start menu, perform a Start gesture or bloom gesture on HoloLens (1st gen).

2. Select the Store app.

3. Look to the top right of the Store app.

4. Select the "..." or “See more” button.

   

5. Select Downloads and updates.

   1. If your device has previously identified updates, there may be a down arrow and a number that represents pending updates.

6. Select Get updates. Your device will now search for updates and set them to download and install.

   

If you are unable to uninstall an app, please file feedback using the Feedback Hub.