Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Cannot download Windows app

Oct 23, 2014 7:21AM PDT

Downloaded a certain app on Ipad, Android phone, but cannot get it on Windows machines. Yes, it is indeed available to run on "all devices" and "all but the oldest Windows".
I cannot access the Store on Win 8.1 Pro laptop at all anymore. When I try to download this particular app on Win 7 Pro desktop, the app does show up but there's no indication whatsoever how to download it

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Tell about the app.
Oct 23, 2014 7:40AM PDT

Name names.

- Collapse -
Learn Chinese with China Bubbles
Oct 23, 2014 3:40PM PDT

I finally got it to start downloading on my Win 8.1 laptop after I cleared the Store cache, restarted the machine and enabled automatic Windows Update - a tip that I saw on another post. However, it's been "installing" for two hours. This is not a large app, and is indeed supposed to run on all devices and "on all but the oldest windows machines".
I still can't find a clue how to put it on this Win 7 Pro computer.

- Collapse -
Well first of all an application may run on
Oct 23, 2014 11:59PM PDT

multiple devices but you need an application specifically for the OS your downloading to. Also Windows 8.1 uses the store to download Metro apps whereas Metro apps don't run in WIndows 7. Windows 7 runs desktop apps and browser apps.

- Collapse -
'Installing' for 14 hours now
Oct 24, 2014 1:42AM PDT

Learn Chinese with China Bubbles has been 'installing' on my Win 8.1 Pro for 14 hours. It took less than 2 minutes to download and install on both my Ipad and Android phone.

As it expicitly says, it will run on all devices and "all but the oldest Windows machines", there must be a way to put it on my Win 7 Pro desktop too.

- Collapse -
Please tell more.
Oct 23, 2014 4:49PM PDT

What exactly do you want to download to your Windows 7 machine? Link x from url y please.

Kees

- Collapse -
Here it is on the Windows Store
Oct 24, 2014 4:07AM PDT
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/learn-chinese-with-china-bubbles/9e592a44-d471-4861-921b-d7b7fc3ca265

After clearing the Store cache, enabling automatic updates, I got it to download to 8.1 Pro laptop. But it's been "installing" now for 14 hours. When I go to the app, it says, "pending (0% complete).

This is on the maker's website, but for some reason it won't direct to the Windows Store nor is there any clue how to put it on a Windows 7 Pro machine - which isn't "old".

http://prettycoolgames.com/chinabubbles.html#.VEqU5Wcfx6I
- Collapse -
Re: app
Oct 24, 2014 4:25AM PDT

Apps don't run in Windows 7. You need Windows 8 for them.

Unclear why it doesn't load in your Windows 8.1. Two options:
1. It's a bug in the app. It will load nowhere.
2. It's something in your PC. It will load everywhere else. Then it will load also with you if you do a clean install of Windows 8.1
Your choice which of these two options to pursue.

Kees

- Collapse -
Back at the Windows Store
Oct 24, 2014 4:41AM PDT

When I go back to the Windows Store and search for this app, it says "you own this app".

- Collapse -
Thanks for the details.
Oct 24, 2014 4:52AM PDT

I think the Store and Author have some issues to solve now.

- Collapse -
Answer
Installation of win8.1 app
Oct 28, 2014 11:17PM PDT

Here are the below steps you need to follow while installing win8.1 apps

Go to the Start Screen.

Open the Windows Store by clicking on the shopping bag Live Tile with the Windows logo

Inside the Windows Store you can scroll from left to right and browse the showcased apps.

If you're looking for a particular app, click on the search bar and type in a term related to the kind of app you're looking for, or the name of the app you're looking for. Hit enter or click the magnifying glass.

You can also swipe from the top to the bottom of the screen on a touchscreen PC, or right click anywhere to see list of all of the Windows Stores app categories.

Once you've found an app that interests you, click the Install button in the top left corner of the Windows Store.

Windows will let you know when the application is installed with a large rectangle on the right of your screen. Click or tap it to go to that application.

- Collapse -
The thing is, this doesn't work on Windows 7.
Oct 29, 2014 12:00AM PDT

I ran into someone that thought MSFT should add Metro to Windows 7.
Yikes,
Bob