在Windows 8和Windows 10之前，当人们指的是配备Android的智能手机和平板电脑、iPhone 和 iPad，而不是传统的Windows PC(Windows PCs)时，您会听到应用程序(apps)一词。现在我们有各种适用于Windows的应用程序。什么是Microsoft Store 应用(Microsoft Store app)？什么是Windows 通用(Windows universal)应用程序？桌面应用程序(desktop app)呢？它们与传统的桌面程序有何不同？继续阅读，我们将帮助您理解所有这些术语和概念之间的区别：
应用程序和程序有什么共同点？他们是软件！
如果您从大局来看，应用程序、程序、桌面应用程序或桌面应用程序是相似的：指示正在运行的计算机或设备(computer or device)执行程序员设计的操作的软件。他们还告诉计算机或设备(computer or device)如何做它应该做的事情。
什么是程序、桌面应用程序或桌面应用程序？
在提及Windows 10时，IT 专业人员和技术出版物经常交替使用术语程序、应用程序和桌面应用程序(desktop apps)。那是因为它们是相同的东西：您安装和使用鼠标和键盘的传统(mouse and keyboard)Windows应用程序，就像自第一个版本的Windows以来所做的那样。在Windows中，已安装的桌面应用程序(desktop apps)列表位于控制面板(Control Panel)中。打开控制面板(Control Panel)，然后转到"Programs ->Programs and Features"或旧的添加(Add)或删除程序窗口。
以下是程序、桌面应用程序或桌面应用程序最重要的特征：
- 桌面应用程序(Desktop apps)往往具有多种功能并且可以执行多项任务。有时甚至是一大堆任务。
- 它们仅适用于鼠标和键盘输入(mouse and keyboard input)，而不适用于触摸输入。
- 在Windows 10和Windows 8.1中，桌面应用程序以有限的权限运行，但用户可以授予管理权限。某些应用程序（如防病毒程序）在没有管理权限的情况下无法正常运行。授予管理权限后，程序可以更改操作系统(operating system)。
- 程序可以在多个实例中并行运行。例如，您可以打开同一个桌面应用程序两(desktop app two)到三遍，或者根据需要多次打开，然后并行处理所有实例。在多显示器设置中，如果您启动同一个桌面应用程序的多个实例，您可以在任何显示器上同时显示桌面(desktop app)应用程序(desktop application)。
- 应用程序可以在任何版本的Windows上使用：Windows 10、Windows 8.1 或Windows 7。但是，某些应用程序可能与旧版本的(Windows)Windows不兼容，具体取决于它们的编程方式。
- 他们可能会安装额外的Windows服务，使他们能够访问不同的系统资源并执行更复杂的任务以使用户受益。VPN应用程序和防病毒程序是安装Windows服务的桌面应用(desktop apps)程序的最常见示例。
- 在安装过程中，应用程序可以安装您不想要的过时软件，具体取决于他们的开发人员是否想要，以进一步通过它们获利。
- 桌面(Desktop)应用程序可以包含任何内容。除非它们通过Microsoft Store分发，否则它们不是由(Microsoft Store)Microsoft策划的。
- 程序可以按照其开发人员的指示分发，包括通过Microsoft Store分发。此外，它们可以从任何来源安装：网站、安装光盘(installation discs)、USB 闪存(USB flash)驱动器和其他安装介质。
- 桌面(Desktop)应用程序始终列在"Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features"中，也可以从此位置删除。
- 程序可以由用户手动更新，也可以通过其开发人员创建的特定更新服务或通过第三方更新应用程序或服务(apps or services)自动更新。
- 桌面应用程序的更新可能并不总是免费的。他们的开发人员可能会向用户收取将应用程序更新到最新版本的费用。
- 当您购买程序时，钱会直接流向开发人员。但是，如果它通过Microsoft Store分发，Microsoft会从您的购买中获得佣金，其余的将归其开发人员所有。
- 桌面(Desktop)应用程序可以有任何许可模式(licensing model)：从专有模式到免费和开源许可。
- 它们不必满足 Microsoft 的任何特定要求，除非(Microsoft)它们通过Microsoft Store分发。他们必须满足的唯一要求是他们的开发人员创建的要求。
- 程序(Programs work)在使用x86 系统架构的(x86 system architecture)Intel 和 AMD 处理器(Intel and AMD processors)的系统上运行。除非使用某种形式的虚拟化，否则它们无法在移动ARM处理器上运行，例如智能手机中使用的处理器。
什么是应用程序、Windows 通用(Windows universal)( UWP )应用程序或 Microsoft Store 应用程序(apps or Microsoft Store apps)？
当您听到Windows 应用程序(Windows apps)时，没有提到桌面(desktop)这个词，我们谈论的是通过Microsoft Store分发的应用程序。它们往往是不如桌面应用程序和程序(desktop apps and programs)复杂的软件。
以下是Windows 应用程序(Windows apps)最基本的特征：
- 往往具有有限数量的功能。他们中的许多(Many)人只执行一项任务或一些补充任务。
- 它们旨在与多种输入设备配合使用：触摸屏、数字笔、鼠标和键盘(mouse and keyboard)等。
- 应用程序(Apps)一次只能在一个实例中运行，在给定时间在一个屏幕上运行。在多显示器设置中，您只能在其中一个显示器上显示应用程序。
- 它们始终以有限的权限运行，并且永远无法从用户那里获得管理权限。这意味着他们无法更改操作系统(operating system)和其他应用程序。
- 应用程序(Apps)只能在Windows 10和Windows 8.1中运行。它们不能在旧版本的Windows中使用。
- Windows应用程序无法安装其他Windows服务。
- Microsoft Store中的应用程序无法安装英国媒体报道软件。它们不会被Microsoft批准分发。
- (Adult content)在通过Microsoft Store(Microsoft Store)分发的Windows应用程序中禁止使用成人内容。
- Windows 应用程序是从Microsoft Store下载和安装的。这是他们唯一的官方分发方式。但是，开发人员和高级用户可以从其他来源旁加载应用程序，就像在Android上一样。
- "Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features."中列出。它们可以从“开始”菜单(Start Menu)（在 Windows 10 中）或“开始(Start)”屏幕（在 Windows 8.1 中）、Microsoft Store或“设置”(Settings)应用程序中删除。您可以在此处了解有关此主题的更多信息：在Windows中删除桌面程序和现代应用程序的 9 种方法。
- 它们通过Microsoft Store自动更新。
- 购买并安装应用程序后，其所有用户始终免费更新。
- 当您从Microsoft Store(Microsoft Store)购买应用程序时，Microsoft会从您的购买中获得佣金，其余的将归其开发人员所有。
- 应用程序(Apps)必须使用由Microsoft创建的特定许可模式(licensing model)。可以在此处找到更多详细信息：应用开发者协议(App Developer Agreement)。
- 它们必须满足Microsoft的特定要求。否则，它们将无法通过Microsoft Store分发。Windows 应用认证工具包(Windows App Certification Kit)中的更多详细信息。
- 应用程序(Apps)可以在ARM 和 x86 系统架构(ARM and x86 system architecture)和处理器上运行，从而使其更灵活地在多个硬件平台上使用。
什么是UWP 或 Windows(UWP or Windows)通用应用？
通用 Windows 应用程序或 UWP(Universal Windows apps or UWP)（通用 Windows 平台(Universal Windows Platform)）应用程序与我们在上一节中提到的其他应用程序相同，但有一个区别：它们旨在在具有不同外形尺寸的多个设备上工作相同。它们在装有 Windows 10 的平板电脑、装有Windows 10(Windows 10)的笔记本电脑和台式电脑、装有Windows (Windows 10)10 (Windows 10)Mobile的Xbox One游戏机和智能手机上的外观和工作方式相同。您可以在此处了解更多信息：什么是通用 Windows 平台(Universal Windows Platform)( UWP ) 应用程序？
Microsoft Store应用的故事变得复杂
在 Windows 8 时代，应用程序或Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)应用程序是一回事。不同之处仅在于您选择命名它们的方式。在Windows 10中，Microsoft Store接受应用程序和桌面应用程序(desktop apps)。因此，事情变得混乱。例如，您在Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)中有适用于 Windows 8.1的Evernote触控应用，在适用于 Windows 10的Microsoft Store中有(Microsoft Store)Evernote桌面应用。
另一个示例：您在Microsoft Store中拥有(Microsoft Store)OneDrive 应用程序(OneDrive app)和桌面客户端(desktop client)OneDrive for Windows。虽然它们都提供对相同云存储服务(storage service)的访问，但它们的外观和功能却不同。
为简化起见，这里要记住一条规则：如果您使用的应用程序是通过Microsoft Store分发的，并且它针对带有触摸屏的设备进行了优化，那么它最合适的名称是“应用程序”。如果“应用程序”不是针对带有触摸屏的设备进行优化，而是针对带有鼠标和键盘(mouse and keyboard)的笔记本电脑和 PC 进行优化，那么它最合适的名称是“桌面应用程序”。够简单吗？
您更喜欢使用哪种类型的应用程序：桌面应用程序(desktop apps)或应用程序？🙂
现在您知道适用于Windows的所有类型的(Windows)应用程序和程序(apps and programs)之间的区别。希望(Hopefully)我们在澄清您的问题并使事情更容易理解方面做得很好。在结束本文之前，请告诉我们您最常使用哪些应用程序以及它们是什么：应用程序还是桌面应用程序？
What is a Windows app? What is a desktop application? How are they different?
Beforе Windows 8 and Windows 10, you heard the term apps when people were referring to smartphones and tablets with Android, and iPhones and iPads, but not traditional Windows PCs. Now we have all kinds of apps for Windows. What is a Microsoft Store app? What is a Windows universal app? What about a desktop app? How are they different from traditional desktop programs? Read on and we are going to help you understand the differences between all these terms and concepts:
What do apps and programs have in common? They are software!
If you look at the big picture, apps, programs, desktop applications or desktop apps, are similar: software that instructs the computer or device they are running on, to do what their programmer(s) designed them to do. They also tell that computer or device how to do what it is supposed to do.
What are programs, desktop applications or desktop apps?
When referring to Windows 10, IT pros and tech publications often use the terms programs, applications, and desktop apps interchangeably. That is because they are the same thing: the traditional Windows applications that you install and use with the mouse and keyboard, just as it has been done since the first versions of Windows. In Windows, the list of installed desktop apps is found in the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel, and go to "Programs ->Programs and Features" or the old Add or remove programs window.
Here are the most important characteristics of programs, desktop applications or desktop apps:
- Desktop apps tend to have multiple features and can perform multiple tasks. Sometimes even a large set of tasks.
- They work well only with mouse and keyboard input and less well with touch input.
- In Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, desktop apps run with limited permissions but can be given administrative permissions by the user. Some applications, like antivirus programs, cannot run correctly without having administrative permissions. When given administrative permissions, programs can alter the operating system.
- Programs can run in multiple instances in parallel. For example, you can open the same desktop app two or three times, or as many times as you need, and work with all instances in parallel. On a multi-display setup, you can display a desktop app on any of your monitors and all of them at the same time, if you start multiple instances of the same desktop application.
- Applications can be used on any version of Windows: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7. However, some may not be compatible with older versions of Windows, depending on how they were programmed.
- They may install additional Windows services that give them access to different system resources and perform more complex tasks for the benefit of the user. VPN applications and antivirus programs are the most common examples of desktop apps that install Windows services.
- During their installation, applications can install bloatware that you do not want, depending on whether their developer(s) wanted this or not, to further monetize them.
- Desktop applications can contain any content. They are not curated by Microsoft unless they are distributed through the Microsoft Store.
- Programs can be distributed as directed by their developer, including through the Microsoft Store. Also, they can be installed from any source: websites, installation discs, USB flash drives, and other installation media.
- Desktop applications are always listed in "Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features" and can also be removed from this location.
- Programs can be manually updated by the user or automatically, via specific update services created by their developer or through third-party updating apps or services.
- Updates to desktop apps may not always be free. Their developer may charge users for updating the application to the latest version.
- When you buy a program, the money goes straight to the developer(s). However, if it is distributed through the Microsoft Store, Microsoft gets a commission from your purchase, and the rest goes to its developer(s).
- Desktop applications can have any licensing model: from proprietary models to free and open-source licenses.
- They do not have to meet any specific requirements from Microsoft unless they are distributed through the Microsoft Store. The only requirements they have to meet are those created by their developer(s).
- Programs work on systems with Intel and AMD processors using the x86 system architecture. They cannot work on mobile ARM processors, like those used in smartphones, unless some form of virtualization is used.
What are apps, Windows universal (UWP) apps or Microsoft Store apps?
When you hear about Windows apps, without the word desktop being mentioned, we are talking about apps that are distributed through the Microsoft Store. They tend to be less complex software than desktop apps and programs.
Here are the most essential characteristics of Windows apps:
- Tend to have a limited number of features. Many of them perform just a single task or a few complementary tasks.
- They are designed to work with multiple input devices: touchscreens, digital pens, mouse and keyboard, etc.
- Apps can be run only in one instance at a time, on one screen at a given time. On a multi-display setup, you can display an app on only one of your monitors.
- They always run with limited permissions and can never receive administrative permissions from the user. This means that they cannot alter the operating system and other apps.
- Apps can run only in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. They cannot be used in older versions of Windows.
- Windows apps cannot install additional Windows services.
- Apps from the Microsoft Store cannot install bloatware. They would not get approved for distribution by Microsoft.
- Adult content is forbidden in apps for Windows that are distributed through the Microsoft Store.
- Windows apps are downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Store. It is their only official method of distribution. However, developers and power users can sideload apps from other sources, just like on Android.
- Apps are not listed in "Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features." They can be removed from the Start Menu (in Windows 10) or the Start screen (in Windows 8.1), the Microsoft Store or the Settings app. You can learn more about this subject, here: 9 ways to remove desktop programs and modern apps in Windows.
- They are automatically updated through the Microsoft Store.
- Once an app is purchased and installed, updates are always free for all its users.
- When you buy an app from the Microsoft Store, Microsoft gets a commission from your purchase, and the rest goes to its developer(s).
- Apps must use a specific licensing model, created by Microsoft. More details can be found here: App Developer Agreement.
- They must meet specific requirements from Microsoft. Otherwise, they cannot be distributed through the Microsoft Store. More details in the Windows App Certification Kit.
- Apps can work on both ARM and x86 system architecture and processors, making them more flexible for use on multiple hardware platforms.
What are UWP or Windows universal apps?
Universal Windows apps or UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps are the same as the other apps we mentioned in the previous section, but with one difference: they are designed to work the same on multiple devices with different form factors. They look and work the same on tablets with Windows 10, laptops and desktop computers with Windows 10, Xbox One consoles and smartphones with Windows 10 Mobile. You can learn more, here: What are Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps?.
The story with Microsoft Store apps gets complicated
In the era of Windows 8, apps or Windows Store apps were the same things. The difference was only in the way you chose to name them. In Windows 10, the Microsoft Store accepts both apps and desktop apps. Therefore, things get confusing. For example, you have the Evernote touch app in the Windows Store for Windows 8.1 and the Evernote desktop app in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10.
Another example: you have the OneDrive app in the Microsoft Store and the OneDrive for Windows, the desktop client. While they both offer access to the same cloud storage service, the way they look, and their features are different.
To simplify things, here is one rule to remember: if the app that you use is distributed through the Microsoft Store, and it is optimized for devices with touchscreens, then its most suitable name is "app." If an "app" is not optimized for devices with touchscreens, but laptops and PCs with a mouse and keyboard, its most suitable name is "desktop app." Simple enough?
Which types of apps do you prefer using: desktop apps or apps? 🙂
Now you know the differences between all the types of apps and programs for Windows. Hopefully, we have done a good job at clarifying your questions and making things more understandable. Before you close this article, let us know which apps you use most often and what are they: apps or desktop apps?
