Overview
This article provides guidance for IT professionals responsible for installing and deploying LinenMaster desktop applications. It covers supported operating systems, Microsoft Store requirements, security considerations, deployment options, and supported and unsupported installation methods.
The intent is to help IT teams plan installations while maintaining their organization’s security and device management standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do users need a Microsoft account to install the applications?
No. While a Microsoft account was previously required, this is no longer the case. Starting in 2019, Windows 10 no longer requires a Microsoft account to download free applications from the Microsoft Store. Users signed in with a Local Account can bypass Microsoft account sign-in by selecting “No, thanks” when prompted.
2. What operating systems can I use with the Windows applications?
LinenMaster officially supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktop operating systems. We test all applications on the latest publicly available release version of this operating system.
Windows 7
LinenMaster has not supported Windows 7 since Microsoft ended support on January 14, 2020, regardless of whether Extended Security Updates were purchased. Windows 7 does not include the Microsoft Store.
Additionally, APPX installation files are not supported on this operating system, and to our knowledge, applications cannot be sideloaded. We are not aware of any customers successfully installing current LinenMaster applications on Windows 7.
Windows 8.1
LinenMaster does not test applications on Windows 8.1. Although Windows 8.1 includes the Microsoft Store, our code base is too advanced to officially support this operating system, and the applications do not appear in the Microsoft Store on Windows 8.1 devices.
Applications may function if sideloaded as described later in this article; however, this is not officially supported. We strongly encourage upgrading these computers to Windows 10, which is available at no cost.
Windows Server and Thin Clients
LinenMaster does not test or officially support server-based deployments. Windows Server does not include the Microsoft Store; however, Microsoft indicates that applications can be installed using PowerShell with the Add-AppxPackage command. We are aware of customers who have successfully installed LinenMaster applications on Windows Server, but these configurations are not officially supported.
3. Will I be able to install the applications from the LinenMaster website?
Yes. LinenMaster provides links to each application on the LinenMaster Software Downloads article. These links direct you to the corresponding application page in the Microsoft Store.
4. Will these applications support Windows 10 in S Mode?
LinenMaster does not test applications in Windows 10 S Mode. However, it is likely that Office Manager and Information Manager will function in this environment. Please contact LinenMaster to discuss your specific deployment scenario.
5. How does this affect security, and is my organization’s data less secure now that applications are in the Microsoft Store?
Security is not impacted, and organizational data is not less secure. All LinenMaster desktop applications continue to require a username and password, consistent with LinenMaster web access. Password requirements are being strengthened and will require a minimum of eight characters the next time a password is changed.
Additionally, applications published in the Microsoft Store undergo Microsoft review for security and performance, which provides an added level of assurance.
6. What do you recommend if I restrict users from accessing the Microsoft Store?
As with our policy prior to the move to the Microsoft Store, LinenMaster cannot accommodate specific security postures such as requiring no administrator rights for installation. An IT administrator with appropriate permissions must install the applications through the Microsoft Store.
Rather than disabling the Microsoft Store entirely, we strongly recommend using Microsoft Store for Business. This allows IT administrators to approve and distribute specific applications, including LinenMaster desktop applications.
Individual applications can also be assigned to specific users or groups, such as Office Manager for office staff.
7. What do you recommend for mass deployment of these applications?
In addition to Microsoft Store for Business, LinenMaster applications can be deployed using Microsoft Intune (Endpoint Manager) along with the Company Portal. These tools provide centralized management and controlled deployment across multiple devices.
8. Understanding that other deployment methods are not officially supported, can you provide guidance on retrieving installation files for sideloading?
Officially, Microsoft Store for Business can be used to download offline app packages. These installation files use the APPX format, which behaves similarly to MSIX packages.
Microsoft documentation:
Distribute offline apps (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
Unofficially, application packages can be obtained through a third-party service called Adguard. LinenMaster is not affiliated with Adguard, and use of this service is entirely at your own risk.
To use this method, copy the application link from the LinenMaster Software Downloads article and paste it into Adguard’s online link generator.
The service generates temporary links to Microsoft Store servers, and the “.appxbundle” file is the primary installation file. We are aware of customers who have successfully installed LinenMaster applications using this approach.