Windows Microsoft Store equivalent in Linux
Provides a central catalog of Linux desktop applications distributed as Flatpaks.
Microsoft Store
flatpak search QUERY
flatpak search QUERY
flatpak search QUERY
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "Microsoft Store" is used to browse desktop applications. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "flatpak search QUERY". Provides a central catalog of Linux desktop applications distributed as Flatpaks. This reference is grouped under Package Management.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows Microsoft Store maps to flatpak search QUERY for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux package management.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Browse desktop applications
Provides a central catalog of Linux desktop applications distributed as Flatpaks.
flatpak remotes
Show configured Flatpak repositories
flatpak search drawing
Search for applications
flatpak install flathub com.github.maoschanz.drawing
Install a selected app
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
flatpak remotes
flatpak search drawing
flatpak install flathub com.github.maoschanz.drawing
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
flatpak remotes # list configured repositories
flatpak search drawing # search the catalog
flatpak install flathub com.github.maoschanz.drawing # install an applicationReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
flatpak remotes | Show configured Flatpak repositories |
flatpak search drawing | Search for applications |
flatpak install flathub com.github.maoschanz.drawing | Install a selected app |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
The command "flatpak search QUERY" is the same in all three rows, while package or base details differ: Debian/Ubuntu uses apt + flatpak; Fedora uses dnf + flatpak; Arch uses pacman + flatpak.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | apt + flatpak | flatpak search QUERY |
Searches Flatpak remotes such as Flathub. Install Flatpak with: sudo apt install flatpak. |
| Fedora | dnf + flatpak | flatpak search QUERY |
Searches Flatpak remotes such as Flathub. Fedora usually has strong Flatpak integration. |
| Arch | pacman + flatpak | flatpak search QUERY |
Searches Flatpak remotes such as Flathub. Install Flatpak with: sudo pacman -S flatpak. |
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