Surface Pro X Microsoft Store Apps: Essential Guide

Surface Pro X Microsoft Store Apps: Essential Guide. Unlock the full potential of your Surface Pro X by exploring essential Microsoft Store apps. Discover curated recommendations for productivity, creativity, and entertainment that run seamlessly on ARM, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.

Hey there tablet explorers! So, you’ve got a slick Surface Pro X, and you’re wondering about the apps. It’s a fair question! With its unique ARM processor, you might be curious which apps from the Microsoft Store will work best and where to find them. Don’t worry, we’re here to clear up any confusion and guide you through finding the perfect apps to power your device. We’ll make sure your Surface Pro X is packed with the tools you need to breeze through your day. Get ready to discover some must-have apps!

Understanding Surface Pro X and Microsoft Store Apps

Your Surface Pro X is a special kind of tablet-laptop hybrid. Unlike many traditional PCs that use Intel or AMD processors, the Surface Pro X runs on ARM-based processors, like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. This is a big deal because not all Windows apps are built for ARM. Think of it like needing a special key to unlock certain doors. Microsoft has been working hard to make sure the Microsoft Store is the best place to find these “special key” apps.

The Microsoft Store is Microsoft’s official digital marketplace for Windows. It’s designed to offer apps that are tested for compatibility and security, especially for devices like the Surface Pro X. For a long time, many traditional desktop applications (often called Win32 apps) weren’t optimized for Windows on ARM. However, this is changing rapidly! Microsoft has introduced ways to run even more apps, and the Store is increasingly the hub for the most compatible and optimized software.

So, when we talk about Surface Pro X Microsoft Store apps, we’re focusing on software that’s either designed specifically for Windows on ARM or has been adapted to run smoothly on your device through Microsoft’s efforts. This means you get better battery life, faster performance, and a more integrated experience compared to trying to run older, incompatible software.

Why the Microsoft Store is Your Go-To Hub

You might be wondering why you should prioritize the Microsoft Store over downloading apps from the web. It’s all about ease and compatibility, especially for a device like the Surface Pro X.

• Optimized for ARM: Many apps available in the Microsoft Store are built or adapted specifically for Windows on ARM. This means they’re designed to take full advantage of your Surface Pro X’s processor, leading to better performance and longer battery life.
• Security and Reliability: Every app in the Microsoft Store goes through a review process. This helps ensure they are safe, malware-free, and function as advertised. It’s a more secure way to get your software.
• Automatic Updates: Apps from the Store are typically updated automatically, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on new features or important security patches. Your software stays current with minimal effort.
• Seamless Integration: Store apps are designed to work well with Windows features like Start Menu Live Tiles, notifications, and tablet mode, providing a more cohesive user experience.
• Discoverability: The Store makes it easy to browse, discover, and install a wide range of applications without hunting around different websites.

Essential Surface Pro X Microsoft Store Apps for Productivity

Let’s dive into the apps that will make your Surface Pro X a productivity powerhouse. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just managing your daily tasks, these apps are top contenders.

1. Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

It’s no surprise that Microsoft’s own suite is a must-have. The Microsoft 365 apps available in the Store are optimized for Windows on ARM. This means you get the full-featured desktop experience you’re used to, but with the efficiency benefits of your Surface Pro X.

• Word: For all your document creation and editing needs.
• Excel: Powerful spreadsheets for data analysis and tracking.
• PowerPoint: Create and deliver stunning presentations.
• Outlook: Manage your emails, calendar, and contacts efficiently.

Why they’re essential: These are the industry standards for productivity. Their integration with OneDrive (Microsoft’s cloud storage) is seamless, allowing you to access and save files from anywhere. For a device designed for on-the-go work and study, this is crucial.

2. OneNote

Your digital notebook. OneNote is fantastic for jotting down ideas, taking meeting notes, sketching diagrams, and even clipping web content. It syncs across all your devices, making it easy to access your notes wherever you are.

Why it’s essential: The free-form canvas is perfect for brainstorming. With stylus support on the Surface Pro X, you can handwrite notes or draw as naturally as on paper. It’s a versatile tool for students, creatives, and anyone who likes to keep ideas organized.

3. Microsoft To Do

A simple yet powerful task management app. To Do helps you stay organized by letting you create lists, set reminders, and prioritize your tasks. It integrates with Outlook, making it easy to turn emails into actionable tasks.

Why it’s essential: Keeping track of your to-do list can be overwhelming. To Do breaks it down into manageable steps, helping you focus on what needs to get done. Its clean interface is intuitive and helps reduce stress.

4. Microsoft Edge Browser

The built-in browser for Windows is now a top-tier performer, and it’s optimized for ARM. Edge offers excellent speed, strong privacy features, and seamless integration with your Microsoft account for syncing bookmarks, passwords, and history across devices.

Why it’s essential: It’s designed to be fast, secure, and power-efficient, which is exactly what you want on a device like the Surface Pro X. Plus, it’s your gateway to all the other web-based apps and services you use, like Google Workspace or cloud-based project management tools.

5. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Need to view or annotate PDF documents? Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the standard. While the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite might have compatibility nuances, the Reader application is generally well-supported and essential for handling PDF files.

Why it’s essential: PDFs are ubiquitous for sharing documents. Having a reliable reader that works well on your Surface Pro X ensures you can access and interact with these important files smoothly.

6. Grammarly

Elevate your writing on the go. Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that checks your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style in real-time across almost any application. The Microsoft Store version integrates smoothly.

Why it’s essential: Whether you’re typing an email, drafting a report, or posting on social media, Grammarly helps you communicate clearly and professionally. It’s like having a personal editor in your device.

Top Surface Pro X Microsoft Store Apps for Creativity and Entertainment

Your Surface Pro X isn’t just for work; it’s also a fantastic device for unleashing your creativity and enjoying your downtime. Here are some app recommendations from the Microsoft Store.

1. Clipchamp

Need to edit videos? Clipchamp is a powerful, yet user-friendly video editor that’s now part of Microsoft. It offers a range of templates, stock media, and editing tools to help you create engaging videos for social media, presentations, or personal projects.

Why it’s essential: Many video editors can be resource-intensive. Clipchamp is designed to be accessible and efficient, making it a great choice for on-the-go video creation on your Surface Pro X.

2. Krita

For the artists out there, Krita is a professional, free, and open-source painting application. It’s incredibly powerful for digital painting, illustration, and concept art, with a vast array of brushes, layers, and tools.

Why it’s essential: Krita is known for its robust features and its compatibility with graphics tablets and styluses, making it a fantastic choice for digital artists using their Surface Pro X for creative work.

3. Adobe Photoshop Express / Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

While full desktop versions of Adobe’s creative suite might have specific considerations for Windows on ARM, their mobile-friendly apps like Photoshop Express and Lightroom are often available and optimized. They offer powerful photo editing capabilities that are great for quick touch-ups or more in-depth adjustments on the go.

Why they’re essential: Accessing professional-grade photo editing tools on a portable device is a game-changer for photographers and social media enthusiasts. These apps provide a bridge to that capability.

4. Spotify / Netflix / Disney+

For entertainment, the Microsoft Store provides access to all your favorite streaming services. Apps like Spotify for music, and Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others for movies and TV shows, are typically available and optimized for a smooth playback experience.

Why they’re essential: Your Surface Pro X is a perfect portable entertainment center. These apps ensure you can take your favorite music, movies, and shows with you anywhere, with great audio and visual quality.

5. Microsoft Edge (again!)

Yes, Edge is also for entertainment! Whether you’re streaming videos, browsing art galleries, or reading articles, the Edge browser provides a stable and fast platform. It also supports extensions, which can enhance your browsing experience significantly.

Why it’s essential: Its efficiency means longer streaming times, and its compatibility with many websites ensures you don’t miss out on any online content.

The Win32 App Story: What You Can Run Now

Historically, a significant challenge with ARM-based Windows devices was running traditional desktop applications — often called Win32 apps — that weren’t specifically compiled for ARM. However, Microsoft has made incredible progress on this front.

Emulation to the Rescue: Your Surface Pro X can now emulate most Win32 applications. This means that even if an app isn’t natively built for ARM, your Surface Pro X can translate the instructions on the fly, allowing it to run. This has dramatically expanded the range of software you can use.

Where to Find Them: While the Microsoft Store is the best place for optimized apps, you can still download many traditional Win32 applications directly from developer websites (e.g., Chrome, Vivaldi, Slack). When you install these, Windows on ARM will handle the emulation.

Performance Considerations: Emulation is powerful, but it’s not always as efficient as a native ARM app. For highly demanding software or for the absolute longest battery life, native ARM apps from the Microsoft Store are still the ideal choice. However, for everyday productivity and common software, emulation works surprisingly well.

• Check compatibility: Before downloading a Win32 app from a developer’s website, you can often find community lists or even Microsoft’s official pages that indicate how well an app performs on Windows on ARM.
• Performance varies: Expect some apps to run flawlessly, while others might be a bit slower or consume more battery.
• Microsoft is pushing native: Developers are increasingly creating native ARM versions of their popular apps. Keep an eye on the Microsoft Store for these updates!

Comparing Native ARM Apps vs. Emulated Win32 Apps

To make it clearer, let’s look at how native ARM apps from the Microsoft Store and emulated Win32 apps compare for your Surface Pro X.

Feature	Native ARM Apps (Microsoft Store)	Emulated Win32 Apps (Downloaded E.g. from Web)
Performance	Generally faster and more responsive as they are built for the processor.	Can be slower, especially for demanding tasks, as the system translates instructions.
Battery Life	More power-efficient, leading to longer usage times.	Can consume more power due to the overhead of emulation.
Compatibility	Guaranteed to work within the Windows on ARM environment.	Most work, but some older or very niche applications might have issues.
Updates	Automatic updates through the Microsoft Store.	Manual updates, often requiring downloading new versions from the web.
Access to Features	Designed to leverage Windows on ARM features, like power management.	May not always fully utilize all ARM-specific optimizations.
Best For	Everyday apps, core productivity, and maximizing battery.	Specialized software not yet available as native ARM, or for established workflows.

Official Microsoft Resources for Compatibility: For the most up-to-date information on application compatibility for Windows on ARM, you can refer to official Microsoft documentation. While specific app lists can change, Microsoft provides guidance on how to check for compatibility and what to expect. You can often find this information by searching for “Windows on ARM app compatibility” on the Microsoft website.

Tips for Maximizing Your Surface Pro X App Experience

To ensure you get the most out of your Surface Pro X and its app ecosystem, here are some handy tips:

• Prioritize the Microsoft Store: Whenever possible, look for apps within the Microsoft Store first. These are your best bet for native ARM performance and battery efficiency.
• Check App Details: Before downloading, check the app’s description in the Store. It will usually state if it’s optimized for Windows on ARM.
• Keep Windows Updated: Microsoft continually improves Windows on ARM’s compatibility and performance through Windows Updates. Ensure your device is always up-to-date.
• Manage Your Startup Apps: Just like any PC, too many apps running in the background can slow down your Surface Pro X and drain the battery. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to manage which apps launch at startup.
• Use Tablet Mode: If you’re using your Surface Pro X in tablet mode, ensure your apps are touch-friendly. The Store has many apps designed with touch interfaces in mind.
• Explore Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Many web services now offer Progressive Web Apps through the Microsoft Store. These essentially package a website into an installable app, often offering a great, native-like experience (e.g., Twitter, Pinterest).
• Consider Android Apps (via Google Play Store on Windows 11): If you have a Surface Pro X running Windows 11, you can access Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, which is integrated with the Microsoft Store. This opens up a huge world of mobile apps! Learn more about getting Android apps on your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will all my old Windows programs work on Surface Pro X?

Most of them will, thanks to emulation. However, some older or very specialized software might not work perfectly. For the best experience, it’s always recommended to use apps that are natively available in the Microsoft Store or are known to be compatible with Windows on ARM.

Q2: How can I tell if an app from the Microsoft Store is optimized for my Surface Pro X?

While not always explicitly stated with a badge, you can usually infer this. Microsoft prioritizes ARM-optimized apps in its store. Look for apps from well-known developers or those updated recently. You can also check app reviews or developer websites for confirmation. Windows 11 is making this clearer, often indicating if an app is optimized for ARM.

Q3: Is it safe to download apps from outside the Microsoft Store?

It can be, but you need to be more cautious. Stick to reputable developer websites. The Microsoft Store offers a layer of security and assurance that directly downloaded applications don’t always provide, making it the preferred and safer option for most users.

Q4: How much storage space should I expect apps to take up?

App sizes vary greatly. Basic apps like Microsoft To Do are quite small, taking up only a few megabytes. Productivity suites like Microsoft 365 can be several gigabytes. Creative apps like Krita or video editors can also be quite large. It’s good practice to keep at least 20-30 GB of free space on your Surface Pro X for general system operations and app installations.

Q5: Can I use my Surface Pen with these Microsoft Store apps?

Absolutely! The Surface Pro X is designed to work with the Surface Pen. Many Microsoft Store apps, especially those for note-taking (OneNote), art (Krita), and productivity, are optimized to take advantage of