In addition, apps built on top of the Universal Windows Platform get to communicate with Windows through a set of APIs found in the Windows Runtime (usually just called WinRT). On top of that, it integrates deeply with Microsoft’s IT management tools for enterprises and sysadmins who need to manage software on thousands of machines.

The store isn’t just a way for users to discover applications - it also offers one-click installations and “no files or registry items left behind” uninstallations. The Windows Store was previously only available to Universal Windows Apps, which are in many ways the evolution of the good old exe. WinRT: A clubhouse for the most powerful Windows APIs Given that we conquered new lands, we wanted to share some of our discoveries. Slack partnered with Microsoft to pioneer a way for Electron apps to run within the confines of the Windows Store and to integrate with Windows Runtime APIs. It is one of the first applications to make use of Microsoft’s “Desktop Bridge”, previously known as Project Centennial. This week, we launched Slack for Windows 10 in the Windows Store. The Slack Desktop Client is powered by Electron, the same framework that enables Atom, Visual Studio Code, and Basecamp to deliver delightful desktop apps built with web technologies.

Slack windows client