Allow `winget` to install MS Store packages without account just like the MS Store

[felipecrs]

Description of the new feature/enhancement

On my work PC, I do not connect an account to the MS Store (because it only accepts Microsoft account, and I only have a Microsoft 365 business account). However, while the winget cli fails to install any packages from the MS Store due to the lack of the account, the MS Store itself let me download just fine.

Ideally the winget should allow too, so that I can simplify and automate the environment setup of my team and colleagues in the work as well.

GIF

LVMkMgKS9p.mp4

Additional context

> winget --version
v1.1.12663

I don't know, perhaps this should be a bug rather than an enhancement?

[jedieaston]

Tangentially related: #1558 (this isn't a duplicate of that, but that feature/bug is fallout from this issue).

Since the Microsoft Store lets you download without an account just fine, I don't think there would be any legal issues with it.

[mdsharpe]

I would say this is a bug. If the Microsoft Store lets you install free apps without a Microsoft Account, then there should be no such restriction when automating the same action on the command line.

[denelon]

We are working on this issue with the "msstore" source. We agree authentication shouldn't be required for "free" Apps.

[TrashAccount3424]

Same problem here. Totally an anti-feature. Needless to says its also an anti-feature that some apps simply refuse to install trough the store if on a machine with local account i.e all my test VMs and a bunch of family machines that I maintain.

Why can I install WhatsApp without account but not Telegram? but then Unigram (unofficial telegram app) can be installed again. They are all free, why would I need an account.

winget-cli/src/AppInstallerCLICore/Workflows/MSStoreInstallerHandler.cpp

Line 87 in 1a6a60f

else if (enr.Status() == GetEntitlementStatus::NoStoreAccount)

[felipecrs]

Well, just like Android with Google Play. It's weird though why some apps would require an account and some not through MS Store.

[jedieaston]

I think that line is converting the error from the Store API, they’ll have to change it over there, not in winget.

[TrashAccount3424]

Well, just like Android with Google Play. It's weird though why some apps would require an account and some not through MS Store.

Thats true, but google just abuse its monopoly as the by far largest app store. MS on the other hand should want people to use the store so if they make it intentionally inconvenient, less people will use it. If the store wont let me download telegram I just load it form the official website or use an alternative software repository especially for automated installs there is no way I'm going to add a login to my scripts then get my account banned when the script runs to many times and all that possible side effects its juts not worth it.
People who still use a local account probably have a reason an there is nothing to win by annoying them.

[TrashAccount3424]

I think that line is converting the error from the Store API, they’ll have to change it over there, not in winget.

I was under the impression that it worked already in the past and with the store app it still does work for most apps it just ignores it if you close the login popup. Maybe winget could ignore the error as well.

[46dikumar]

Hi All, do we have any workaround for this issue??

[jedieaston]

Not at this time. winget just talks to the Microsoft Store API, which doesn't have a way to work around this.