Another interesting option is this section in Choose where to get Apps. We have a detailed article explaining this feature, kindly refer to it and let’s check out How to Enable Archive Apps on Windows 11.

Enable Archive Apps on Windows 11 – Quick Steps

Archive Apps Feature was first introduced on Windows 10, and to this day, this feature quietly appears as a part of Effective Storage Management options on Windows 11. This option is very similar to Offload Apps on iOS Devices. The important thing is that this setting is applicable only for Microsoft Store Applications.

If you have an application installed outside (.exe installations) the Microsoft Store, then this option will be ineffective for those applications. Any Apps that are added to the Microsoft Store or removed from the Microsoft Store will have an impact on this setting accordingly. Here are the steps to enable Archive Apps on Windows 11.

• Go to the Windows Settings using the Keyboard Shortcut Win Key + I.
• On the Windows Settings, click on Apps from the left pane.

• Now, click on Advanced App Settings.

• Here, you can find the option “Archive Apps“. If this option is not enabled, toggle the switch ON to Enable Archive Apps on Windows 11.

It is worth noting that the Archive Apps on Windows 11 Setting is enabled by default as a part of Smart Storage Management Tool. It will automatically save storage space without user intervention.

Advantages of Archive Apps on Windows 11

With Archive Apps, there are a few points worth considering. Here is the benefits of keeping Archive Apps Enabled on Windows 11.

1. The World is booming towards AI and Quantum Computing, which intends to make life easy, Archive Apps on Windows 11 brings Automation for an effective storage management. It is worth discussing about Storage Sense which is an another automation that will clean up disk space automatically.
2. If you are worried about the User Data, and the Application Files, Archive Apps on Windows 11 preserve these data. They are safely stored and we can pick up where we left later. The process is completely automated.
3. This feature improves the storage management, obviously a clean and fast system.
4. It is a safe and reliable option and additionally, you can also reverse it back if you are not comfortable with this feature.
5. Archive Apps is very effective for devices with SSDs under 256 GB, Ultra books, and student laptops where the storage devices are limited.

How to Disable Archive Apps on Windows 11?

Should you disable this feature on Windows 11? Well, this feature by no means affect any of the Windows 11 operations. I mean, this feature is enabled by default, the unused apps are automatically offloaded and data is automatically stored. If anything it helps the users well, however, if you would like to disable Archive Apps on Windows 11, the following are the steps.

• Open Windows Settings.
• Navigate to the Apps Section.
• Select Advanced App Settings.
• Toggle Archive Apps Switch to OFF.

• That’s it. Archive Apps is disabled on Windows 11.

Take Away

Archive Apps on Windows 11 is quiet an uneventful Windows Setting, however, on devices with limited storage options, and if you install your apps from Microsoft Store mostly, then this can be an effective smart feature. Personally, I would like to keep this option enabled on my Windows 11.

Have Queries?

We hope you are satisfied with our article, and if you have any queries, kindly let us know in the comments section. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Computing! Peace out!

How to Download Offline Maps on Windows 11 – Quick Steps

• Open Windows Settings using the shortcut WinKey + I.
• In the Windows Settings, from the left pane, click Apps.

• Under Apps, you can find Offline Maps.

• Offline Maps Settings will open. Click Download Maps to download maps for apps to use when there’s no internet connection.

• The Download option is sorted as per Continents, and then Countries, and then States. You can find the Continents Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North and Central America, and South America. You can either download the entire Country, or you can choose a specific region for countries like India, the USA, etc.

• You can download the Country Map or you can choose a specific region. Here, for explanation, we will download the USA Map. Dropdown North and Central America, and locate USA. Click on Choose Region.

• You can either download All regions (consumes more data and space), or you can choose a specific region. Let’s Download California.

• The system will start downloading the Maps. You can safely click Close to close the pop-up. Don’t worry, the download process will not be interrupted. Kindly be patient, the process will take sometime depending on the map size. At the time of writing this article, the California Offline Map Size is 578 Mega Bytes.

• Alright, now the map is downloaded but how to use it? Check out the next section for detailed information.

How to Use Offline Maps on Windows 11?

In the above section, we have downloaded California Offline Map. Once the download is complete, the map is ready to use.

• Go to the Start Menu using the shortcut WinKey + S. Search for Maps.

• Once you find the Maps Application, open it.
• Now, you can start using Maps Application. Your Downloaded Maps will be available even without an Internet Connection.

Exploring Offline Maps Settings on Windows 11

Other than Downloading Offline Maps, you can customize several options related to it. The following are them.

• You can easily Delete a Downloaded Offline Map by clicking on the Bin icon next to it. You can delete all offline map data by clicking Delete all.

• You can choose the Storage Location where to save offline maps using the Storage Location option.

• Metered Connection allows Download of Maps over Metered Connections (however, data charges may apply).

• Set Maps to automatically update when plugged in and not a metered connection. Enable the checkbox to update automatically when plugged in and on Wi-Fi. You can also click Check now for real-time updates.

Take Away

Maps Application on Windows 11 is an underrated feature, many people don’t even realize it exists. The Maps Application have various features like Ariel View, Road View, Show My Location (If your device have GPS), Tilt View, Traffic, Streetside, etc. Offline Maps on Windows 11 is a silver lining. If you have any queries, kindly let us know in the Comment Section. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Travelling! Peace out!

Customize your Application Installation Source on Windows 11 using the “Choose where to get Apps”

• Open Windows Settings using the Keyboard Shortcut WinKey + I.
• Once the Windows Settings open, Click on Apps from the Left Pane.

• Apps Settings will open, click on Advanced App Settings.

• In Advanced App Settings, you can find various App Related Settings like Choose Where to Get Apps, Share Across Devices, Archive Apps, and App Execution Aliases.

• Expand Choose Where to Get Apps. Here, you can find four options. 1. Anywhere, 2. Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a compatible app in the Microsoft Store, 3. Anywhere, but warn me before installing an app that’s not from the Microsoft Store, 4. The Microsoft Store only (Recommended). Choose your desired option.

Let’s Decode how each option works

Anywhere:

• This option allows users to install applications from any source. Examples include Microsoft Store, official Website like Google Chrome, Adobe, Blender, etc, Third-party App Stores like Steam, Epic Games, etc, and, EXE, MSI, and other executable files.
• This option is best suited for Advanced Users who need full control over app installations.
• However, this option is a higher chance of installing malware or unverified software.

Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a comparable app in the Microsoft Store:

• This option allows users to install applications from anywhere, but Windows will suggest an alternative app from the Microsoft Store if available. For example, if you are downloading Google Chrome Browser from their official website, Windows may suggest Microsoft Edge Browser, as both of them are Browsers and Edge is available in the Microsoft Store. A message may pop up saying “A Similar App is available in the Microsoft Store“.
• This option is still suited for Advanced users, as it has a higher chance of vulnerability if not installed from a proper source.

Anywhere, but warn me before installing an app that’s not from the Microsoft Store:

• This option adds a security warning message before installing apps stating “This app is not from the Microsoft Store. Installing Apps from the Store helps protect your PC“.
• This option is still vulnerable, but it provides a warning before installing an application from sources other than the Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Store only (Recommended):

• On Windows 11, this is the recommended option. This option will allows users to install only from the Microsoft Store. All other installations will be restricted.
• The system will ensure that all apps are Microsoft-verified for Security, and Stability.
• This is the most secure option, however, many popular apps are not available in the Microsoft Store.

Take Away

The above options are choices between highest security, and highest flexbility. Theorectically Speaking, it is always safe and recommended to use Applications only from the Microsoft Store. However, practically, we may need some flexibility to install applications from diffeernt sources. Hence, I leave it to the user’s choice as per their requirements. If you have any queries, kindly let us know in the comment section. For more interesting articles, visit Winsides.com. Happy Computing! Peace Out!