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The internet is a big identify, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies where you can pirate movies and TV shows. Yet, Windows users don't even have to travel far afield to go their piracy fix. Microsoft has been proficient plenty to offering a large number of illegal streaming apps in the Windows Shop.

The piracy apps aren't difficult to spot in the Windows Store — they're right in the pinnacle costless apps list. They're non at the peak of the list, which has legitimate apps similar Netflix and Hulu. Notwithstanding, "Free Unlimited Movies" and HD Movies Online" outrank apps similar NBC Sports, Todoist, and NFL Mobile. This is but the tip of the iceberg, too.

In that location are at least a few dozen piracy apps in the Windows Store, and they aren't at all coy most what they offer. The screenshots include catalogs of movies and TV shows, many of which are non officially available for streaming anyplace. Most are full general streaming apps, merely there are besides some that purport to offer specific content like Batman cartoons and anime.

Many of these apps appear to be re-branded versions of the same software packages. The developers are using popular new movies similar Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in order to attract users. It's a lot of the same stuff. Although, maybe they come with different malware bundled. We don't know for sure that you lot're going to grab a virus from downloading these apps, merely this is exactly the kind of sketchy app that would do it. Microsoft evidently isn't screening what gets into the Store, and that'southward probably the most concerning part.

Nearly of these apps are compatible with at least PC, but some also add together back up for mobile, the Xbox I,  and Microsoft'south Holographic UI. Not a lot of piece of work went into making the apps pleasant to use on all those platforms, but it'due south all in service of getting as many eyeballs as possible. These apps are free, but they include ample advertising in the form of banners and high-quality pre-curlicue video ads. In fact, many of the ads appear to exist from Microsoft'due south own Ad Monetization platform.

Y'all can evidently admission the same content in your web browser, simply offering piracy apps like this in the official store is just bizarre. It looks like Fifty-fifty Microsoft isn't paying attention to the Windows Store anymore. We've reached out to Microsoft to meet if the company has any response.