- You can still install applications manually, and there are no special permissions lost for doing so.
- You can access it using your choice of application, instead of only the MS-approved tool
- You can add 3rd party repositories
If that's what the "Windows store" was, I'd absolutely use it (if I still used Windows). If it comes along with a bunch of other crap, then yeah, there will be pitchforks.
What does seem to work is the certificate and code reputation. It does actually prevent users from running things but is easy enough to click through if you really know better.
Yes, that's the "other crap" I was referring to [edit: specifically "special permissions lost for doing so". I was a little vague because I knew there were some additional restrictions for using the Windows store but wasn't sure what they were.]
I didn't spend enough time to verify if it satisfies the "can use other clients" and "can add 3rd party repositories" criteria. But assuming it does, I bet tons of people would happily use it, if Microsoft blessed it as the official standard for managing Windows applications / installed it by default.
https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli
I like scoop though personally.
And this is why I tend to ignore most commentary on Operating Systems. You know the moment that Windows releases a centralized repository, there will be a thousand cries of "walled garden!" and "embrace, extend, and extinguish". It's literally impossible to satisfy everyone, given how many mutually exclusive needs exist out there.